| Country | US |
|---|---|
| City | Cadillac, Michigan |
| Branding | News Talk 1240 |
| Frequency | 1240 kHz |
| Translator | W291DE (106.1 MHz, Cadillac) |
| Airdate | September 30, 1945 |
| Format | News-Talk-Sports |
| Power | 1,000 watts |
| Class | C |
| Facility id | 65928 |
| Affiliations | Michigan Radio Network |
| Owner | MacDonald Garber Broadcasting |
| Sister stations | WKAD, WKHQ-FM, WLXT, WLXV, WMKT, WMBN |
| Licensing authority | FCC |
WATT (1240 AM, "News Talk 1240") is a radio station broadcasting a news-talk-sports format. Licensed to Cadillac, Michigan, it began broadcasting in 1946.
WATT officially began broadcasting on September 30, 1945, as Cadillac's first radio station[1] on the frequency of 1240 kHz.[2] The station was founded by Les Biederman, a broadcast pioneer who had previously launched WTCM in Traverse City. WATT was a key member of Biederman’s Paul Bunyan Network, a group of small-market stations designed to provide localized news and entertainment to Northern Michigan communities.[3] During its early years, WATT operated with a power of 250 watts and served as an NBC Radio Network affiliate, bringing national programming and block-style variety shows to Wexford County residents.[4]
In the 1970s, Les Biederman sold WATT to Kenneth MacDonald Sr., the founder of MacDonald Broadcasting. MacDonald, a former hall-of-fame broadcaster from Saginaw, purchased the station alongside its FM sister (WLXV) and properties in Petoskey.[5]
In 1998, as part of a corporate reorganization of the family business, the Northern Michigan stations—including WATT—were spun off into a separate entity called MacDonald-Garber Broadcasting, headed by Patricia MacDonald-Garber.[6]
References
- ^ "Cadillac Gets Station". The Bay City Times. United Press. 1945-09-30. p. 10. Retrieved 2026-01-06.
- ^ "1240 AM WATT Media Kit". MacDonald-Garber Broadcasting. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
- ^ "WTCM (AM) History". Broadcasting Publications Inc. p. C-104. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
- ^ "Michigan Radio History Records". World Radio History. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
- ^ "MacDonald Broadcasting Hall of Fame". Michigan Association of Broadcasters. Retrieved January 3, 2026.
- ^ "Cadillac Chamber of Commerce Member Directory". Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved January 3, 2026.