Jump to content
 







Main menu
   


Navigation  



Main page
Contents
Current events
Random article
About Wikipedia
Contact us
Donate
 




Contribute  



Help
Learn to edit
Community portal
Recent changes
Upload file
 








Search  

































Create account

Log in
 









Create account
 Log in
 




Pages for logged out editors learn more  



Contributions
Talk
 



















Contents

   



(Top)
 


1 Programming  





2 History  



2.1  Early years  





2.2  Shows in the 1930s, 40s and 50s  





2.3  Clear Channel ownership  







3 Translator  





4 References  





5 External links  














WELI: Difference between revisions







Add links
 









Article
Talk
 

















Read
Edit
View history
 








Tools
   


Actions  



Read
Edit
View history
 




General  



What links here
Related changes
Upload file
Special pages
Permanent link
Page information
Cite this page
Get shortened URL
Download QR code
Wikidata item
 




Print/export  



Download as PDF
Printable version
 
















Appearance
   

 





Coordinates: 41°2214.35N 72°5613.37W / 41.3706528°N 72.9370472°W / 41.3706528; -72.9370472

Help
 

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 


Browse history interactively
 Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
m the Hamden link is neither duplicative nor excessive
Tag: Reverted
De-link common terms (by script) per MOS:OVERLINK, Script-assisted fixes: per CS1 and MOS:ITALICS, unpiped links using script per MOS:NOTBROKEN
 
(18 intermediate revisions by 9 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:

{{confused|Weli}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}

{{Infobox radio station

{{Infobox radio station

| name = WELI

| name = WELI

| city = [[New Haven, Connecticut]]

| city = [[New Haven, Connecticut]]

| country = US

| above =

| above =

| logo =

| logo = WELI 960 96.9 logo.png

| logo_size =

| logo_size =

| logo_alt =

| logo_alt =

| logo_caption =

| logo_caption =

| area =

| area =

| frequency = {{Frequency|960|[[kHz]]}}

| frequency = {{Frequency|960|[[kHz]]}}

| rds =

| rds =

| branding = WELI 960 AM and 96.9 FM

| branding = WELI 960 AM and 96.9 FM

| languages =

| languages =

| format = [[Talk radio]]

| format = [[News/talk]]

| subchannels =

| subchannels =

| network = [[Fox News Radio]]

| network =

| affiliations = [[Premiere Networks]]<BR>[[Compass Media Networks]]

| affiliations = {{ubl|[[Premiere Networks]]|[[Compass Media Networks]]|[[Fox News Radio]]}}

| owner = [[iHeartMedia, Inc.]]

| owner = [[iHeartMedia, Inc.]]

| licensee = iHM Licenses, LLC

| licensee = iHM Licenses, LLC

| operator =

| operator =

| sister_stations = [[WAVZ]], [[WKCI-FM]]

| sister_stations = [[WAVZ]], [[WKCI-FM]]

| founded =

| founded =

| airdate = {{Start date and age|1935|10}}

| airdate = {{Start date and age|1935|10}}

| last_airdate =

| last_airdate =

| former_callsigns =

| former_callsigns =

| former_names =

| former_names =

| former_frequencies =

| former_frequencies =

| callsign_meaning = [[Yale University]]'s popular nickname "The Eli", the station being in the university's home city.

| callsign_meaning = [[Yale University]]'s popular nickname "The Eli", the station being in the university's home city.

| licensing_authority = [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]]

| licensing_authority = [[FCC]]

| facility_id = 11933

| facility_id = 11933

| class = B

| class = B

| power = 5,000 [[watt]]s

| power = 5,000 watts

| erp =

| erp =

| haat =

| haat =

| coordinates = {{Coord|41|22|14|N|72|56|15|W|type:landmark_region:US-CT|display=inline,title}}

| coordinates = {{Coord|41|22|14.35|N|72|56|13.37|W|type:landmark_region:US-CT|display=inline,title}}

| translators = {{Radio Relay|96.9|W245DK|New Haven}}

| translators = {{Radio Relay|96.9|W245DK|New Haven}}

| repeaters = {{Radio Relay|101.3|[[WKCI-FM|WKCI-HD3]]|[[Hamden, Connecticut|Hamden]]}}

| repeaters = {{Radio Relay|101.3|[[WKCI-FM|WKCI-FMHD3]]|[[Hamden, Connecticut|Hamden]]}}

| webcast = {{IHeartRadio|960-weli-453}}

| webcast = {{iHeartRadio|960-weli-453}}

| website = {{url|960weli.iheart.com}}

| website = {{url|960weli.iheart.com}}

}}

}}

'''WELI''' (960 [[Hertz|kHz]]) is a [[commercial radio|commercial]] [[AM broadcasting|AM]] [[radio station]] [[city of license|licensed]] to [[New Haven, Connecticut]], and serving the New Haven and [[Bridgeport, Connecticut|Bridgeport]] areas. It broadcasts a [[talk radio]] [[radio format|format]] and is owned by [[iHeartMedia, Inc.]] The studios are in Radio Towers Park on Benham Street in [[Hamden, Connecticut|Hamden]], where it shares facilities with sister stations [[WKCI-FM]] and [[WAVZ]]. [[Transmitter|Transmitting towers]] for WELI are also at this location.

'''WELI''' (960 [[kHz]]) is an [[AM broadcasting|AM]] [[commercial radio]] station [[city of license|licensed]] to [[New Haven, Connecticut]], and serving the New Haven and [[Bridgeport]] areas. It broadcasts a [[news/talk]] [[radio format]] and is owned by [[iHeartMedia, Inc.]] WELI's studios are in Radio Towers Park on Benham Street in [[Hamden, Connecticut|Hamden]], where it shares facilities with sister stations [[WKCI-FM]] and [[WAVZ]]. [[Radio masts and towers|Transmitting towers]] for WELI are also at this location.



WELI is powered at 5,000 [[watt]]s, [[omnidirectional antenna|non-directional]] by day. But to protect other stations on or near [[960 AM]] from interference, at night it uses a [[directional antenna]] with a four-[[tower array]].<ref>[https://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/finder?call=weli&x=0&y=0&sr=Y&s=C Radio-Locator.com/WELI]</ref> Programming is also heard on 215 watt [[FM translator]] '''W245DK''' at 96.9 [[Hertz|MHz]].<ref>[https://radio-locator.com/info/W245DK-FX Radio-Locator.com/W245DK]</ref>

WELI is powered at 5,000 watts, [[omnidirectional antenna|non-directional]] by day. To protect other stations on or near [[960 AM]] from interference, at night it uses a [[directional antenna]] with a four-[[tower array]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/finder?call=weli&x=0&y=0&sr=Y&s=C|title=WELI-AM 960 kHz - New Haven, CT|website=radio-locator.com}}</ref> Programming is also heard on 215 watt [[FM translator]] W245DK at 96.9 [[MHz]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://radio-locator.com/info/W245DK-FX|title=W245DK-FM 96.9 MHz - New Haven, CT|website=radio-locator.com}}</ref>



==Programming==

==Programming==

Weekdays begin with a news and interview show, "The Vinnie Penn Project," [[simulcast]] on co-owned [[WPOP]] [[1410 AM]] in [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]]. The rest of the weekday schedule includes [[radio syndication|nationally syndicated]] talk shows, mostly from [[Premiere Networks]]: ''[[The Glenn Beck Program]]'', ''[[The Sean Hannity Show]]'', ''[[The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show]]'', ''[[The Jesse Kelly Show]]'', ''[[Coast to Coast AM]] with [[George Noory]]'' and ''[[This Morning, America's First News with Gordon Deal]]'' from [[Compass Media Networks]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://960weli.iheart.com/schedule/|title = 960 WELI - New Haven's News, Weather & Traffic Station}}</ref> World and national news comes from [[Fox News Radio]] with WELI newscasters supplying Connecticut news for both WELI and WPOP.

Weekdays begin with a news and interview show, "The Vinnie Penn Project", [[simulcast]] on co-owned [[WPOP]] in [[Hartford]]. The rest of the weekday schedule includes [[radio syndication|nationally syndicated]] talk shows, mostly from [[Premiere Networks]]: ''[[The Glenn Beck Program]]'', ''[[The Sean Hannity Show]]'', ''[[The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show]]'', ''[[The Jesse Kelly Show]]'', ''[[Coast to Coast AM]] with [[George Noory]]'' and ''[[This Morning, America's First News with Gordon Deal]]'' from [[Compass Media Networks]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://960weli.iheart.com/schedule/|title = 960 WELI - New Haven's News, Weather & Traffic Station}}</ref> World and national news comes from [[Fox News Radio]] with WELI newscasters supplying Connecticut news for both WELI and WPOP.



On weekends, WELI airs syndicated shows including ''[[Gary Sullivan (radio host)|At Home with Gary Sullivan]]'', ''[[Bill Cunningham (talk show host)|Sunday Night Live with Bill Cunningham]]'' and ''[[Art Bell|Somewhere in Time with Art Bell]]'', as well as repeats of weekday shows. WELI Sports Director George DeMaio Jr. hosts a Saturday morning show.

On weekends, WELI airs syndicated shows including ''[[Gary Sullivan (radio host)|At Home with Gary Sullivan]]'', ''[[Bill Cunningham (talk show host)|Sunday Night Live with Bill Cunningham]]'' and ''[[Art Bell|Somewhere in Time with Art Bell]]'', as well as repeats of weekday shows. WELI Sports Director George DeMaio Jr. hosts a Saturday morning show.



==History==

==History==

===Early Years===

===Early years===

WELI [[sign-on|signed on]] the air in {{Start date and age|1935|10}}. It originally was a [[daytimer]] on 900 [[kilocycle]]s, powered at 500 watts and required to go off the air at night. The station was owned by the City Broadcasting Corporation, with studios at 221 Orange Street in New Haven.<ref>[https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1937/Stations_By_State_BC-YB-1937.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1937] page 58, [[Broadcasting & Cable]]</ref> With the station located in the same city as [[Yale University]], whose sports teams are nicknamed "The Elis," the station chose WELI for its [[call sign]]. Over the years, the station broadcast live [[Yale Bulldogs]] or Elis sports, since many of its listeners have been Yale students, faculty and alumni.

WELI [[signed on]] the air in October 1935 as a [[daytimer]] on 900 kHz, powered at 500 watts and required to go off the air at night. The station was owned by the City Broadcasting Corporation, with studios at 221 Orange Street in New Haven.<ref>[https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1937/Stations_By_State_BC-YB-1937.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1937] page 58, [[Broadcasting & Cable]]</ref> With the station located in the same city as [[Yale University]], whose sports teams are nicknamed "The Elis", the station chose WELI for its [[call sign]]. Over the years, the station broadcast live [[Yale Bulldogs]] or Elis sports, since many of its listeners have been Yale students, faculty and alumni.



With the enactment of the [[North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement]] (NARBA) in 1941, WELI and most other radio stations, were required to move to a different frequency. It switched to 960 kHz, getting night time authorization. It was powered at 1,000 watts by day, 500 watts at night. WELI was a [[network affiliate]] of the [[Mutual Broadcasting System]], carrying its dramas, comedies, news and sports during the "[[Golden Age of Radio]]."<ref>[https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1942/Radio-Alll-BC-YB-1942.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1942] page 114, [[Broadcasting & Cable]]</ref>

With the enactment of the [[North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement]] (NARBA) in 1941, WELI and most other radio stations, were required to move to a different frequency. It switched to 960 kHz, getting night time authorization. It was powered at 1,000 watts by day, 500 watts at night. WELI was a [[network affiliate]] of the [[Mutual Broadcasting System]], carrying its dramas, comedies, news and sports during the "[[Golden Age of Radio]]".<ref>[https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1942/Radio-Alll-BC-YB-1942.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1942] page 114, [[Broadcasting & Cable]]</ref>



===Shows in the 1930s, 40s and 50s===

===Shows in the 1930s, 40s and 50s===

In its early decades, WELI had local musicians play live music. A weekly program ''Poetry and an Organ'', broadcast in the late 1930s, starred organist Don Raphael.<ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=New Haven|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Radio-Daily/RD-1937/RA-1937-Dec.pdf|magazine=Radio Daily|date=December 2, 1937|page=6|access-date=February 24, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=New Haven|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Radio-Daily/RD-1938/RA-1938-02.pdf|magazine=Radio Daily|date=February 11, 1938|page=3|access-date=February 24, 2022}}</ref> Other musicians heard regularly on WELI in the 1930s and 1940s included organist Marion J. Reynolds, who was the station's musical director since its first day, pianist Margaret Shepard, the Esther String Trio, the Continental Trio directed by violinist Sy Byer, Ray Block's Swing Fourteen, and [[Charles Magnante]]'s accordion quartet.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Station-Albums/WELI-Booklet.pdf|title=WELI: New Haven's Own Station|access-date=February 24, 2022}}</ref> The ''Polish Eagles Radio Show'', featuring [[Polish language]] and Polish instrumental music and hosted by Victor Zembruski, aired every Sunday on WELI during the 1950s.<ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Polish Eagles Show|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1954/1954-03-29-BC.pdf|magazine=Broadcasting, Telecasting|date=March 29, 1954|page=86|access-date=March 2, 2021}}</ref> The station's singers included Millicent Scott, Edith Jolson, and Louise DeMars. Dick Carlson hosted the record request and dedication show ''Danceland Ballroom''.

In its early decades, WELI had local musicians play live music. A weekly program ''Poetry and an Organ'', broadcast in the late 1930s, starred organist Don Raphael.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=New Haven|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Radio-Daily/RD-1937/RA-1937-Dec.pdf|magazine=Radio Daily|date=December 2, 1937| page=6 |access-date=February 24, 2022 |via=World Radio History}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=New Haven |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Radio-Daily/RD-1938/RA-1938-02.pdf |magazine=Radio Daily |date=February 11, 1938 |page=3 |access-date=February 24, 2022 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> Other musicians heard regularly on WELI in the 1930s and 1940s included organist Marion J. Reynolds, who was the station's musical director since its first day, pianist Margaret Shepard, the Esther String Trio, the Continental Trio directed by violinist Sy Byer, Ray Block's Swing Fourteen, and [[Charles Magnante]]'s accordion quartet.<ref name="auto">{{cite journal |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Station-Albums/WELI-Booklet.pdf |title=WELI: New Haven's Own Station |journal=WELI promotional booklet |access-date=February 24, 2022 |via=World Radio History}}</ref> The ''Polish Eagles Radio Show'', featuring [[Polish language]] and Polish instrumental music and hosted by Victor Zembruski, aired every Sunday on WELI during the 1950s.<ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Polish Eagles Show|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1954/1954-03-29-BC.pdf|magazine=Broadcasting, Telecasting|date=March 29, 1954|page=86|access-date=March 2, 2021}}</ref> The station's singers included Millicent Scott, Edith Jolson, and Louise DeMars. Dick Carlson hosted the record request and dedication show ''Danceland Ballroom''.



WELI also had [[Italian language]] shows. George Mazzacane's 2-hour-long ''L'Ora Italiana'', aired on WELI for seven years until his death in 1943, included Italian opera records and news about Italy and Italians relevant to the local [[Italian Americans|Italian American]] community.<ref>{{cite book |last=Trotta |first=Liz |date=1994 |title=Fighting for Air: In the Trenches with Television News |location=Columbia, MO |publisher=University of Missouri Press |page=37 |isbn=9780826209528}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=George Mazzacane|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1943/1943-02-15-BC.pdf|magazine=Broadcasting|date=February 15, 1943|page=45|access-date=February 24, 2022}}</ref> George Padovini and Luigi diFant presented news in Italian.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Station-Albums/WELI-Booklet.pdf|title=WELI: New Haven's Own Station|access-date=February 24, 2022}}</ref>

WELI also had Italian language shows. George Mazzacane's 2-hour-long ''L'Ora Italiana'', aired on WELI for seven years until his death in 1943, included Italian opera records and news about Italy and Italians relevant to the local Italian American community.<ref>{{cite book |last=Trotta |first=Liz |date=1994 |title=Fighting for Air: In the Trenches with Television News |location=Columbia, MO |publisher=University of Missouri Press |page=37 |isbn=9780826209528}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=George Mazzacane|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1943/1943-02-15-BC.pdf|magazine=Broadcasting|date=February 15, 1943|page=45|access-date=February 24, 2022}}</ref> George Padovini and Luigi diFant presented news in Italian.<ref name="auto"/>



Other local shows regularly heard on WELI in its early years included ''What Are You Reading?'' with Elida Sterling, about [[novel|novels]], ''Stories of the Stars'' with Lewis Doolittle, about [[astronomy]], and ''Theater News on the Air'' about live performances. WELI also aired many local sports games and tournaments, including [[tennis]], [[golf]], [[basketball]], and [[baseball]]. ''Meet the Eagles'' was hosted by Will Cude, the goalie of the local professional [[ice hockey]] team, the [[New Haven Eagles]].

Other local shows regularly heard on WELI in its early years included ''What Are You Reading?'' with Elida Sterling, about novels, ''Stories of the Stars'' with Lewis Doolittle, about [[astronomy]], and ''Theater News on the Air'' about live performances. WELI also aired many local sports games and tournaments, including tennis, golf, basketball, and baseball. ''Meet the Eagles'' was hosted by Will Cude, the goalie of the local professional [[ice hockey]] team, the [[New Haven Eagles]].



===Clear Channel Ownership===

===Clear Channel ownership===

In 1984, [[Clear Channel Communications]], the forerunner of iHeartMedia, acquired WELI.<ref>[https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1987/B-BC-YB-1987.pdf Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1987 page B-53]</ref> For much of the 1960s and 70s, WELI had a [[full service radio|full service]], [[middle of the road (music)|middle of the road]] format of popular adult music, news, talk and sports. But with Clear Channel ownership, the station scaled back its music programming, adding more talk shows. By the 1990s, WELI had made the transition to an all-talk station.

In 1984, [[Clear Channel Communications]], the forerunner of iHeartMedia, acquired WELI.<ref>[https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1987/B-BC-YB-1987.pdf Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1987 page B-53]</ref> For much of the 1960s and 1970s, WELI had a [[full service radio|full service]], [[middle of the road (music)|middle of the road]] format of popular adult music, news, talk and sports. But with Clear Channel ownership, the station scaled back its music programming, adding more talk shows. By the 1990s, WELI had made the transition to an all-talk station.



Jerry Kristafer was the host for ''The WELI Morning Show'' from 1998 until 2008 when he moved to [[WDRC-FM]] 103.3 in Hartford.<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Maryellen Fillo|date=December 22, 2007|title=Change at the Morning Mike at WDRC-FM|url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2007-12-22-0712210287-story.html|magazine=Hartford Courant|accessdate=January 26, 2022}}</ref> The show was replaced by the syndicated ''[[Imus in the Morning]]'' show from [[WABC (AM)|WABC]] [[New York City]].<ref>{{cite web |title=WELI Adds Imus |url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/34362/weli-adds-imus |website=All Access |access-date=January 4, 2008}}</ref> In 1998, WELI again began broadcast [[college football]] games of the [[Yale University]] [[Yale Bulldogs|Bulldogs]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Rubin |first=Sam |date=2006 |title=Yale Football |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |page=120 |isbn=9780738545325}}</ref>

Jerry Kristafer was the host for ''The WELI Morning Show'' from 1998 until 2008 when he moved to [[WDRC-FM]] in Hartford.<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Maryellen Fillo|date=December 22, 2007|title=Change at the Morning Mike at WDRC-FM|url=https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2007-12-22-0712210287-story.html|magazine=Hartford Courant|accessdate=January 26, 2022}}</ref> The show was replaced by the syndicated ''[[Imus in the Morning]]'' show from [[WABC (AM)|WABC]] inNew York City.<ref>{{cite web |title=WELI Adds Imus |url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/34362/weli-adds-imus |website=All Access |access-date=January 4, 2008}}</ref> In 1998, WELI again began broadcast [[college football]] games of the Yale Bulldogs.<ref>{{cite book |last=Rubin |first=Sam |date=2006 |title=Yale Football |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |page=120 |isbn=9780738545325}}</ref>



WELI had carried ''[[The Rush Limbaugh Show]]'' from noon to 3 p.m. for many years. Limbaugh died in February 2021 and WELI aired repeats of Limbaugh's show for several months. When it was discontinued in June 2021, the station replaced it with ''[[The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show]]''. Other national shows formerly heard on WELI include ''[[The Mark Levin Show]]'', ''[[The Savage Nation]] with [[Michael Savage]]'', ''[[The Laura Ingraham Show]]'', ''[[Kim Komando]] Computer Show'', ''Dr. [[Dean Edell]]'', and ''[[Jim Cramer]]'s Real Money Talk''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.weli.com/showschedule.html |title = NEWS/TALK 960 WELI ON-AIR SCHEDULE |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020813001445/http://www.weli.com/showschedule.html |archive-date=13August 2002 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.weli.com/showschedule.html |title = NEWS/TALK 960 WELI ON-AIR SCHEDULE! |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050312052914/http://www.weli.com/showschedule.html |archive-date=12March 2005 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://weli.com/main.html |title = 960 WELI |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213131321/http://weli.com/main.html |archive-date=13February 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

WELI had carried ''[[The Rush Limbaugh Show]]'' from noon to 3 p.m. for many years. Limbaugh died in February 2021 and WELI aired repeats of Limbaugh's show for several months. When it was discontinued in June 2021, the station replaced it with ''[[The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show]]''. Other national shows formerly heard on WELI include ''[[The Mark Levin Show]]'', ''[[The Savage Nation]] with [[Michael Savage]]'', ''[[The Laura Ingraham Show]]'', ''[[Kim Komando]] Computer Show'', ''Dr. [[Dean Edell]]'', and ''[[Jim Cramer]]'s Real Money Talk''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.weli.com/showschedule.html |title = NEWS/TALK 960 WELI ON-AIR SCHEDULE |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020813001445/http://www.weli.com/showschedule.html |archive-date=August 13, 2002 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.weli.com/showschedule.html |title = NEWS/TALK 960 WELI ON-AIR SCHEDULE! |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050312052914/http://www.weli.com/showschedule.html |archive-date=March 12, 2005 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://weli.com/main.html |title = 960 WELI |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213131321/http://weli.com/main.html |archive-date=February 13, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Translator==

{{RadioTranslators

| call1 = W245DK

| freq1 = 96.9

| watts1 = 215

| class1 = D

| fid1 = 202570

| city1 = New Haven, Connecticut

| coord1 = {{coord|42|25|22.2|N|71|57|4.9|W|region:US-CT_type:landmark|name=W245DK}}

}}



==References==

==References==

Line 72: Line 86:


==External links==

==External links==

* {{Official website|https://960weli.iheart.com/}}

*[https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=51996&.pdf FCC History Cards for WELI]

{{AM station data|11933|WELI}}

*[https://www.facebook.com/960WELI/ 960 WELI Facebook]

* [https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/getimportletter_exh.cgi?import_letter_id=51996&.pdf FCC History Cards for WELI]

*[https://960weli.iheart.com/ 960 WELI -- Official website]

;FM translator

{{AM station data|WELI}}

*{{FMQ|W245DK}}

* {{FMQ|W245DK}}

*{{FMXL|W245DK}}

* {{FMXL|W245DK}}



{{New Haven Radio}}

{{New Haven Radio}}

Line 90: Line 104:

[[Category:1935 establishments in Connecticut]]

[[Category:1935 establishments in Connecticut]]

[[Category:IHeartMedia radio stations]]

[[Category:IHeartMedia radio stations]]

[[Category:News and talk radio stations in the United States]]


Latest revision as of 16:36, 8 July 2024

WELI
  • United States
  • Frequency960 kHz
    BrandingWELI 960 AM and 96.9 FM
    Programming
    FormatNews/talk
    Affiliations
  • Compass Media Networks
  • Fox News Radio
  • Ownership
    Owner
  • (iHM Licenses, LLC)
  • Sister stations

    WAVZ, WKCI-FM
    History

    First air date

    October 1935; 88 years ago (1935-10)

    Call sign meaning

    Yale University's popular nickname "The Eli", the station being in the university's home city.
    Technical information[1]

    Licensing authority

    FCC
    Facility ID11933
    ClassB
    Power5,000 watts

    Transmitter coordinates

    41°22′14.35″N 72°56′13.37″W / 41.3706528°N 72.9370472°W / 41.3706528; -72.9370472
    Translator(s)96.9 W245DK (New Haven)
    Repeater(s)101.3 WKCI-FM HD3 (Hamden)
    Links

    Public license information

  • LMS
  • WebcastListen live (via iHeartRadio)
    Website960weli.iheart.com

    WELI (960 kHz) is an AM commercial radio station licensedtoNew Haven, Connecticut, and serving the New Haven and Bridgeport areas. It broadcasts a news/talk radio format and is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. WELI's studios are in Radio Towers Park on Benham Street in Hamden, where it shares facilities with sister stations WKCI-FM and WAVZ. Transmitting towers for WELI are also at this location.

    WELI is powered at 5,000 watts, non-directional by day. To protect other stations on or near 960 AM from interference, at night it uses a directional antenna with a four-tower array.[2] Programming is also heard on 215 watt FM translator W245DK at 96.9 MHz.[3]

    Programming[edit]

    Weekdays begin with a news and interview show, "The Vinnie Penn Project", simulcast on co-owned WPOPinHartford. The rest of the weekday schedule includes nationally syndicated talk shows, mostly from Premiere Networks: The Glenn Beck Program, The Sean Hannity Show, The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show, The Jesse Kelly Show, Coast to Coast AM with George Noory and This Morning, America's First News with Gordon Deal from Compass Media Networks.[4] World and national news comes from Fox News Radio with WELI newscasters supplying Connecticut news for both WELI and WPOP.

    On weekends, WELI airs syndicated shows including At Home with Gary Sullivan, Sunday Night Live with Bill Cunningham and Somewhere in Time with Art Bell, as well as repeats of weekday shows. WELI Sports Director George DeMaio Jr. hosts a Saturday morning show.

    History[edit]

    Early years[edit]

    WELI signed on the air in October 1935 as a daytimer on 900 kHz, powered at 500 watts and required to go off the air at night. The station was owned by the City Broadcasting Corporation, with studios at 221 Orange Street in New Haven.[5] With the station located in the same city as Yale University, whose sports teams are nicknamed "The Elis", the station chose WELI for its call sign. Over the years, the station broadcast live Yale Bulldogs or Elis sports, since many of its listeners have been Yale students, faculty and alumni.

    With the enactment of the North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement (NARBA) in 1941, WELI and most other radio stations, were required to move to a different frequency. It switched to 960 kHz, getting night time authorization. It was powered at 1,000 watts by day, 500 watts at night. WELI was a network affiliate of the Mutual Broadcasting System, carrying its dramas, comedies, news and sports during the "Golden Age of Radio".[6]

    Shows in the 1930s, 40s and 50s[edit]

    In its early decades, WELI had local musicians play live music. A weekly program Poetry and an Organ, broadcast in the late 1930s, starred organist Don Raphael.[7][8] Other musicians heard regularly on WELI in the 1930s and 1940s included organist Marion J. Reynolds, who was the station's musical director since its first day, pianist Margaret Shepard, the Esther String Trio, the Continental Trio directed by violinist Sy Byer, Ray Block's Swing Fourteen, and Charles Magnante's accordion quartet.[9] The Polish Eagles Radio Show, featuring Polish language and Polish instrumental music and hosted by Victor Zembruski, aired every Sunday on WELI during the 1950s.[10] The station's singers included Millicent Scott, Edith Jolson, and Louise DeMars. Dick Carlson hosted the record request and dedication show Danceland Ballroom.

    WELI also had Italian language shows. George Mazzacane's 2-hour-long L'Ora Italiana, aired on WELI for seven years until his death in 1943, included Italian opera records and news about Italy and Italians relevant to the local Italian American community.[11][12] George Padovini and Luigi diFant presented news in Italian.[9]

    Other local shows regularly heard on WELI in its early years included What Are You Reading? with Elida Sterling, about novels, Stories of the Stars with Lewis Doolittle, about astronomy, and Theater News on the Air about live performances. WELI also aired many local sports games and tournaments, including tennis, golf, basketball, and baseball. Meet the Eagles was hosted by Will Cude, the goalie of the local professional ice hockey team, the New Haven Eagles.

    Clear Channel ownership[edit]

    In 1984, Clear Channel Communications, the forerunner of iHeartMedia, acquired WELI.[13] For much of the 1960s and 1970s, WELI had a full service, middle of the road format of popular adult music, news, talk and sports. But with Clear Channel ownership, the station scaled back its music programming, adding more talk shows. By the 1990s, WELI had made the transition to an all-talk station.

    Jerry Kristafer was the host for The WELI Morning Show from 1998 until 2008 when he moved to WDRC-FM in Hartford.[14] The show was replaced by the syndicated Imus in the Morning show from WABC in New York City.[15] In 1998, WELI again began broadcast college football games of the Yale Bulldogs.[16]

    WELI had carried The Rush Limbaugh Show from noon to 3 p.m. for many years. Limbaugh died in February 2021 and WELI aired repeats of Limbaugh's show for several months. When it was discontinued in June 2021, the station replaced it with The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Other national shows formerly heard on WELI include The Mark Levin Show, The Savage Nation with Michael Savage, The Laura Ingraham Show, Kim Komando Computer Show, Dr. Dean Edell, and Jim Cramer's Real Money Talk.[17][18][19]

    Translator[edit]

    Call sign Frequency City of license FID ERP (W) Class Transmitter coordinates FCC info
    W245DK 96.9 FM New Haven, Connecticut 202570 215 D 42°25′22.2″N 71°57′4.9″W / 42.422833°N 71.951361°W / 42.422833; -71.951361 (W245DK) LMS

    References[edit]

    1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WELI". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  • ^ "WELI-AM 960 kHz - New Haven, CT". radio-locator.com.
  • ^ "W245DK-FM 96.9 MHz - New Haven, CT". radio-locator.com.
  • ^ "960 WELI - New Haven's News, Weather & Traffic Station".
  • ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1937 page 58, Broadcasting & Cable
  • ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1942 page 114, Broadcasting & Cable
  • ^ "New Haven" (PDF). Radio Daily. December 2, 1937. p. 6. Retrieved February 24, 2022 – via World Radio History.
  • ^ "New Haven" (PDF). Radio Daily. February 11, 1938. p. 3. Retrieved February 24, 2022 – via World Radio History.
  • ^ a b "WELI: New Haven's Own Station" (PDF). WELI promotional booklet. Retrieved February 24, 2022 – via World Radio History.
  • ^ "Polish Eagles Show" (PDF). Broadcasting, Telecasting. March 29, 1954. p. 86. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  • ^ Trotta, Liz (1994). Fighting for Air: In the Trenches with Television News. Columbia, MO: University of Missouri Press. p. 37. ISBN 9780826209528.
  • ^ "George Mazzacane" (PDF). Broadcasting. February 15, 1943. p. 45. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
  • ^ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1987 page B-53
  • ^ Maryellen Fillo (December 22, 2007). "Change at the Morning Mike at WDRC-FM". Hartford Courant. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
  • ^ "WELI Adds Imus". All Access. Retrieved January 4, 2008.
  • ^ Rubin, Sam (2006). Yale Football. Arcadia Publishing. p. 120. ISBN 9780738545325.
  • ^ "NEWS/TALK 960 WELI ON-AIR SCHEDULE". Archived from the original on August 13, 2002.
  • ^ "NEWS/TALK 960 WELI ON-AIR SCHEDULE!". Archived from the original on March 12, 2005.
  • ^ "960 WELI". Archived from the original on February 13, 2009.
  • External links[edit]

    FM translator

    Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=WELI&oldid=1233352246"

    Categories: 
    Radio stations in Connecticut
    Mass media in New Haven, Connecticut
    Mass media in New Haven County, Connecticut
    Radio stations established in 1935
    1935 establishments in Connecticut
    IHeartMedia radio stations
    News and talk radio stations in the United States
    Hidden categories: 
    Pages using gadget WikiMiniAtlas
    Use mdy dates from July 2024
    Articles with short description
    Short description is different from Wikidata
    Coordinates on Wikidata
    Articles using infobox radio station
    Official website different in Wikidata and Wikipedia
    Articles with VIAF identifiers
    Articles with LCCN identifiers
     



    This page was last edited on 8 July 2024, at 16:36 (UTC).

    Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 4.0; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.



    Privacy policy

    About Wikipedia

    Disclaimers

    Contact Wikipedia

    Code of Conduct

    Developers

    Statistics

    Cookie statement

    Mobile view



    Wikimedia Foundation
    Powered by MediaWiki