How Do Radio Stations Get Their Call Letters?
- Written by Stephanie
- 10:49 AM
- Add Your Comments (11)
Ever wondered how radio stations get their call letters?
Those 4 somewhat random alphabetical wonders do have a rhyme and reason and this article sets out to discover what it may be.
We've all heard call letters for broadcast radio and television stations, as they are the core purpose of station ids and station imaging.
Perhaps because they seem so commonplace, we don't really ever think about their purpose other than a gentle reminder or reinforcement of the station's branding at regular intervals during the broadcast day as regulated by the FCC.
What I've wondered personally is if you could buy custom call letters like you could obtain a personalized license plate...
CJOE
For instance, back in the day, my great-grandfather Joe McManus owned a radio station in London, Ontario Canada, a centennial project (Canada's Centennial was in 1967) which he christened AM 1290 CJOE, incorporating his own name into the call letters. At that time, the station was located centrally in the Hotel London in the heart of the downtown on the corner of Dundas St. and Wellington St. This is currently the site of a different building which houses several local radio stations. After the sale of the station in 1972, the station was re-branded as 1290 CJBK and it is still to this day. CJBK is located in the south of the city further down Wellington north of Southdale Rd.
From what I understand, the first letter is decided upon region, perhaps by province or state. All of the Ontario call letters start with a C, or at least the station call letters that I've heard.
Can you add to this conversation? Broadcasters, come on up!
On the other hand, if you're a listener or viewer of broadcast television or radio, what are the most unique call letters you've ever heard?
Best,
Stephanie
P.S. If you worked for 1290 CJOE between 1967 and 1972 in London, ON Canada or were a listener, please leave a comment. I'd love to hear from you!
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Comments
I totally rocked out to CJOE while in the womb!!
(born 1971)
CJAD in Montreal got its call letters from the initials of the original owner, J. Arthur Dupont (JAD)
If I'm not mistaken, all radio stations in Canada have "C" as the first letter of their call letters except for a few in Newfoundland and Labrador. Here's what Wikipedia has to say about it.
"VOCM and its sister station VOCM-FM are among just four radio stations in Canada whose call letters do not begin with "C". The other two, VOAR and VOWR, also broadcast in St. John's. The three AM stations first aired before Newfoundland joined Canadian Confederation in 1949; VOCM-FM adopted the callsign in 1982 because of its corporate association with VOCM. The ITU prefix VO was originally assigned to Newfoundland and remains in use by radio amateurs."
Dear Stephanie,
All radio stations in Canada begin with a C with the exception of Newfoundland where some station call letters begin with V as in VOCM. The best call letters are CFUN Vancouver and WFUN in Miami I like FUN.
Another great call sign is KRTH ( K-Earth) in Los Angeles.
Michael Morgan
Hi Joe, Jason and Michael,
Thank you for your comments!
Joe: I'll bet you were ;) I wonder if there are videos or audio recordings from the station archived somewhere.
Jason and Michael: It's interesting to know that nearly all of the stations in Canada have a C to kick off their call letters, or in industry jargon, their callsign (call-sign or call signs...). Thanks for pointing out the proper term.
Pretty spiffy ;)
Anyone else know of some cool call signs? Those were great Michael, by the way. Thanks for sharing!
Happy Thanksgiving,
Stephanie
Stephanie,
Back when I was just getting started in radio I worked for a radio station in Chicago, IL (though it no longer exists) called WAIT. The format was "beautiful music" or as it was sometimes called "elevator music," so the call letters were a perfect match for the format.
Be well,
Bob
Dear Stephanie,
Wow. Just wow.
I lived in London from 1956 to 1972 and remember 1290 Radio CJOE Very well. If I am not mistaken Mr. McManus made his small fortune for selling motor cars at McManus Motors. I also used to roller skate at a rink that was by McManus Motors but cannot remember the name of it.
But it was walking distance from where I lived 26 Wortley Road which has long disappeared into the river Thames. I now Live in Ceredigion Wales UK near a Town Called New Quay.
Please can you help me here or maybe another reader can:
My name is Paul Watson and I have another brother named John and Peter. I have a sister named Babara Ann who was born in Victoria Hospital London Ontario 19/10/ approx 10pm. Barbara was adopted by a family named Lehman around 1974 however her first surname was obviously Watson. I saw Barbara in 1982 on a trip back to Canada and she gave me her address but unfortunately this was lost due to unforeseen circumstances and I have lost all contact with her since around 1983. When I saw Barbara she had married a gentleman named Dan and had 2 children one son was provided with the name of Johnathan.
Barbara's adopted parents Audrey and Jack Lehman had a daughter named Edith. Audrey and Edith were Christian Solders with the Salvation Army where I was christened. I know Barbara's adopted Father Mr Jack Lehman has passed away around in the 1980s and to be honest she doesn't know my mother and father Mr Albert and Mrs Doris Watson has passed away.
I have tried for a number of years to find my lost sister but have failed on every attempt. Can you please possibly give help maybe the name of a current popular Radio Station in London, Ont where I could place an advert?
Anyway anything you can advise will be gratefully received as it will definitely if all works out unite brothers and a sister including her other brother John who has not seen her since 1972 when he was 5 years old.
Please send any electronic correspondence either to my work e-mail address paulw@cantref.co.uk or my Home e-mail paulwatson45@btinternet.com. I really would be very appreciative for any help at all.
Yours Sincerely,
Paul Watson
Hi Paul,
Thank you for commenting on this post and I'm excited to learn that you remember CJOE and even roller skated in one of the arenas! Yes, McManus Motors (a Chrysler dealership) was one of my great grandfather's businesses and entrepreneurship was definitely a passion of his (one that many of my relatives have inherited as well).
As for finding your sister, may I suggest that you check out a few resources?
Placing an advertisement in the London Free Press may be a great idea. You can visit the website here for more information - http://www.lfpress.ca
Also, a community paper The Londoner may be of some help too. http://www.thelondoner.ca
Some details including links to local radio stations and the local TV station, A-Channel, can be found here:
http://relocatecanada.com/london/tv.html
Best of luck to you and I hope you find your sister. If anyone has information they could share with Paul, he has included his contact details in his comment.
Best wishes,
Stephanie
Hi Stephanie,
Sorry for the delay in responding to your request for audio recordings. I have a CD of the opening 10 minutes of CJOE originally going on the air in 1967 if you are interested in a copy. It has remarks by Lester Pearson (the Prime Minister), John Robarts (the Premier), Gordon Stronach (the mayor), Al Graham (the general manager) and H.J. McManus (the president). I also have copies of the original application to launch the station dated in 1965.
Scott
Hi Scott,
How amazing! I'll get in touch with you right away.
Best,
Stephanie
Hello all,
Very interesting comments posted!. I was wondering if anyone here knows a Canadian radio station for sale. Any leads would be great appreciated. Please contact me at navdesy@hotmail.com
I was born & raised in McMinnville, TN. They have an AM station with the "Call Letters," WAKI i.e "wacky." I think it's 1230 "on the radio dial."