WHIO Radio Celebrates 90 Years of Broadcasting in Dayton

RADIO ONLINE | Friday, February 14, 2025

WHIO-AM & FM in Dayton OH

WHIO Radio, encompassing WHIO-FM (95.7) and WHIO-AM (1290), marked a significant milestone this week, celebrating 90 years of broadcasting in Dayton, OH. The stations have been pivotal in delivering news, sports, and talk radio, deeply embedding themselves in the fabric of the community.

Throughout its storied history, WHIO Radio has covered a multitude of pivotal events, from World War II to University of Dayton basketball games, and has been a critical source of emergency information during natural disasters like floods and tornadoes. The stations have been at the forefront of broadcasting innovation and community engagement, continuously adapting to meet the evolving needs of their listeners.

Among the notable moments in WHIO's history:

• In 1963, following the assassination of President Kennedy, the station aired a groundbreaking three-way conversation involving Lee Harvey Oswald's mother, allowing listeners to directly engage with her on air.

• WHIO Radio's coverage of the Dayton Gems hockey games in the 1960s included an innovative audio setup that captured the live sounds of the game, a practice that would later be adopted by NHL teams.

• A notable broadcast in 1979 involved a WHIO reporter who managed to connect with Iranian revolutionaries during the US Embassy takeover in Teheran, which led to direct negotiations facilitated by the U.S. State Department using the station's facilities.

Darren Moore, VP and Market Manager for CMG Radio and TV in Dayton, emphasized the station's impact, stating, "For the better part of a century, WHIO Radio has been a daily presence in listeners' lives and integral to the fabric of the community. We're proud to be part of the histories of our great city, state, and nation."

WHIO's legacy includes numerous other memorable broadcasts and community initiatives:

• The station's early days featured organ music as part of its nighttime programming, a favorite of Ohio's governor at the time, Martin L. Davey.

• Its role in community support was highlighted when listeners responded overwhelmingly to a call for donations during the Cincinnati flood, significantly aiding the relief efforts.

• The station was also a hub for the Big Band era, hosting dance remotes that reached a national audience.

• Notable figures such as Phil Donahue began their media careers at WHIO, and over the years, the station has hosted interviews with various celebrities from Billy Graham to astronaut Gene Cernan.