The Eastern Massachusetts Radio Timeline: the 1940s

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1940

In view of the great public interest in the European War (as it was then conceived), the FCC decides in April to permit domestic broadcast stations to rebroadcast the programs of international stations, on a non-commercial basis, with the originating station's consent.

On February 28, the FCC approves initial rules governing the licensing of “limited commercial” television stations, to be effective September 1. It quickly changes its mind and suspends the new rules..

On March 29, Mexico formally deposits its ratification of NARBA with the Cuban government in Havana, thereby allowing the treaty to come into force.

In May, the FCC requires U.S. shortwave stations to directionalize towards their target country or region, and increase power to 50 kW. This is viewed as preventing stations with “international broadcasting” licenses from serving a domestic audience, responding to a concern among domestic broadcasters.

Commercial FM radio service was authorized by the FCC on May 20, concurrently with removing from service the original television channel 1. The new FM band runs from 42 to 50 MHz, with the first megahertz being reserved for non-commercial stations. All stations in the same market will receive the same allocation, with the largest cities assigned 18 channels (a station every other channel). RCA's proposal to use narrrowband FM instead of Armstrong's preferred wideband system is rejected, on the grounds that the multiplexing possibilities offered by wideband FM will provide for facsimile service and eventually stereo audio. All existing experimental licenses will terminate on January 1, 1941. Stations are required to broadcast at least two hours every day of “high fidelity” programming.

After many complaints from potential FM applicants, the FCC revises the commercial FM rules to provide for stations to be licensed to “trading areas” rather than strict mileage-based service areas. The previous system of classes A, B, and C is maintained, wherein class A stations serve a local area, class B stations serve a broader area, and class C stations have no regulatory limit on the area they may serve.

Jan. 4
The second all-FM network broadcast takes place. The program originates from the home studio of C.R. Runyon, through Runyon's station W2XAG. From there it is relayed by Edwin Armstrong's W2XMN (Alpine, N.J.) and Franklin Doolittle's W1XPW (Meriden, Conn.) to the Yankee Network's W1XOJ (Paxton). The broadcast from Paxton is picked up on Yankee's Mount Washington weather station, W1XOV, but that station is high-frequency AM. (The first such broadcast had occurred the previous month, involving W2XAG, W2XMN, and W1XPW but not the Yankee stations.)
Jan. 15
An ice storm damages the tower and antenna of Yankee Network FM outlet W1XOJ, destroying the top 200 feet of the tower. The station is able to remain on the air and will reconstruct the tower.
Jan. 26
WCOP (1120 Boston) applies for full-time operation, adding a directional antenna for night service, with 500 watts. WLAW (680 Lawrence) files a similar application, but at 5000 watts.
Feb. 6
WEEI (590 Boston) files for a license to cover on its nighttime power increase to 5 kW.
Feb. 9
Doughty & Welch Electric Co. (WSAR) applies for a 1-kW FM station in South Somerset.
Feb. 13
WNBH (1310 New Bedford) applies to amend its construction permit to specify a different site.
Feb. 19
WEEI is now licensed for 5 kW full time.
Feb. 23
WNAC (1230 Boston) applies to increase night power to 5 kW by adding a directional antenna.
Mar. 5
Boston Edison Co. applies to build a television station.
Mar. 12
Westinghouse receives a construction permit to relocate W1XK from the WBZ studios in Boston to the WBZ transmitter site in Hull.
Mar. 14
The FCC proposes to deny the application of C.T. Sherer Co., the Worcester department store, for a new station on 1200 kHz.
Mar. 15
E. Anthony & Sons (WNBH) applies for a new FM station in New Bedford with 1 kilowatt on 45.7 MHz.
Apr.
WTAG (580) increases day power from 1 kW to 5 kW.
Apr. 4
The Yankee Network applies for a new FM station to be licensed to Boston on 43.7 MHz with 5 kilowatts, to be operated as a commercial station.
Apr. 8
The FCC sets a hearing date to consider its proposed denial of C.T. Sherer's new station in Worcester.
Apr. 9
Hildreth & Rogers (WLAW) applies for a new FM station in Andover, on 42.8 MHz with 1 kW.
Apr. 13
WTAG (580 Worcester) receives a license for its upgraded, 5-kW day service.
Apr. 24
Westinghouse and NBC announce an agreement for WBZ, WBZA, KYW, and KDKA to revert back to Westinghouse mangement, while remaining affiliates of the NBC Blue Network, effective July 1. Westinghouse will hire NBC staff working at the four stations.
Apr. 26
W1XOJ applies for a license to cover its construction permit.
Apr. 29
John Shepard applies to transfer control of the Yankee Network stations to a pair of family trusts of which he is a trustee. (The transfer will be approved July 25.)
May
WSAR is sold to the owners of the Fall River Herald News for $175,000.
May 1
WSAR requests designation as a class III-A station (5-kW regional).
May 4
W1XOJ (43.0 Paxton) licensed with 50 kW.
May 29
The FCC proposes renewal of WAAB (1410 Boston), and dismissal of the competing application from Mayflower Broadcasting, on the grounds that Mayflower misrepresented its financial qualifications to build and operate a station.
June 17
W1XTG begins operation from the WTAG transmitter site in Holden. It maintains a full schedule, 6:30 am to midnight, simulcasting WTAG's programming, and operates on 43.4 MHz with 1 kW.
June 21
A hearing date is set for the WAAB and Mayflower applications.
July 1
As planned, Westinghouse takes back management of its stations from NBC. WBZ remains a Blue Network affiliate.
July 17
Ratifying a mutual interference agreement, the FCC grants construction permits for WPTF (680 Raleigh, N.C.) to increase power to 50 kW, full time, and for WLAW (680 Lawrence) to go full-time with 5 kW. Both stations would install directional antennas protecting each other in addition to NBC's KPO (680 San Francisco), the dominant station on the channel.
July 17
Worcester Broadcasting, Inc., applies for a new station in Worcester, seeking the same facilities (1200 kHz, 250 watts) as were denied to C.T. Sherer Co. Among the principals is New York advertising executive Joseph Katz.
July 18
W1XTG receives its license.
July 25
WNAC (1230 Boston) receives a construction permit for 5 kW directional at night.
July 27
The new WBZ transmitter in Hull begins operation. Special programs were broadcast, culminating in a switchover ceremony punctuated by the decay of three atoms of uranium-235, which switched on the new transmitter. The FCC will take over the old Millis site as a monitoring station.
Aug. 7
The Yankee Network applies for a “Boston” FM station, to operate on 43.9 MHz; it will become W39B, replacing W1XER.
Aug. 15
The sale of WSAR to the Fall River Herald News interests is designated for hearing.
Aug. 20
The FCC schedules a reargument of the WAAB and Mayflower applications.
Aug. 27
Worcester's C.T. Sherer department store reapplies for the 1200 kHz signal which had been rejected earlier in the year—this time adding 100-watt synchronous repeaters in Auburn, Whitinsville, and Marlboro.
Aug. 29
The Worcester Telegram applies to convert W1XTG into a commercial FM station, to operate on 43.1 MHz from Little Asnebumskit Hill in Paxton.
Sept. 5
The FCC terminates its investigation into Westinghouse's former management contracts with NBC.
Sept. 10
New allocations for all stations affected by NARBA are announced September 10. Notably, the FCC proposes to assign WBZ-WBZA to 1030 kHz as a class I-B (duplicated clear channel), with that channel being duplicated by Albuquerque's KOB (previously with 5 kW on 1060 and authorized for 50 kW on 1180). Other NARBA allocations: WAAB (1410 Boston) moves to 1440, class III-A; WCOP (1120 Boston) to 1150, class III; WESX (1200 Salem) to 1230, class IV; WHDH (830 Boston) to 850, class II; WMEX (1470 Boston) to 1510, class II; WNAC (1230 Boston) to 1260, class III-A; WNBH (1310 New Bedford) to 1340, class IV; WOCB (1210 Osterville) to 1240, class IV; WORC (1280 Worcester) to 1310, class III-B; WORL (920 Boston) to 950, class III; and WSAR (1450 Fall River) to 1480, class III-B. Stations below 730 kHz did not change frequency; WTAG (590 Worcester) and WEEI (590 Boston) remained class III-A, and WLAW (680 Lawrence) a class II station.
Sept. 9
WMEX (1500 Boston) moves to the banks of the Neponset River in Quincy, now operating on 1470 kHz with 5 kW, full time, using a directional array all hours. The new transmitter site is in the marshes off Riverside Ave., about 500 feet west of the modern-day 1260 site; the array consists of two 210-foot (64 m) Truscon self-supporting towers. The transmitter building is a two-story Colonial with English basement; the second floor serves as living quarters for the station's engineers.
Sept. 17
WEOD, the Yankee Network “relay broadcasting” station that serves as the studio-transmitter link for W1XOJ, applies to change frequency to 156.750, 158.400, 159.300, and 161.100 MHz.
Sept. 27
WMEX (1470 Boston) is granted a license to cover its move to 1470 kHz and new status as a class II station.
Oct. 2
WOCB (1210) begins operations. The station is located in West Yarmouth, but sources disagree on its community of license: Barnstable, Hyannis, Osterville, and Yarmouth are all reported. It would end up licensed to West Yarmouth. The FCC receives WOCB's application for a license to cover on Oct. 8.
Oct. 16
WORL (920 Boston) applies to increase power to 1 kW (still daytime only).
Oct. 29
The Yankee Network applies for a commercial license for W1XOJ (43.0 Paxton), as a Boston station on 44.3 MHz.
Oct. 31
WORC (1280 Worcester) is granted a construction permit for 1000 watts, full time.
Oct. 31
The FCC also grants Yankee's application for an FM on 43.9 MHz, to be located atop Mt. Washington, N.H.
Nov. 1
WOCB (1210 Hyannis) is licensed.
Nov. 12
WBOS, Westinghouse shortwave station, begins testing its new transmitter facility at the WBZ site in Hull. The old WBOS in Millis is deleted; this WBOS is the old WPIT license from Pittsburgh.
Nov. 17
WLAW (680 Lawrence) begins operation with 5 kW full time, DA, and becomes a supplementary CBS affiliate.
Nov. 20
WORL (920 Boston) is granted its power increase to 1 kW.
Nov. 26
WCOP granted night power, still with 500 watts, adding a directional antenna. (The Radio Service Bulletin still shows WCOP as a nondirectional daytimer as late as May, 1941.)
Nov. 27
In an internal reorganization, Westinghouse applies to consolidate all of its licenses under its subsidiary, Westinghouse Radio Stations, Inc. (Previously, some stations have been licensed to Westinghouse Radio and others had been licensed to the parent company, Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company.)
Nov. 27
Westinghouse files for commercial FM licenses to replace all of its experimental FM stations; Boston's W1XK to move to 46.5 MHz.
Dec. 6
The applications of the Worcester Telegram and the Yankee Network for high-power commercial FM stations in Paxton are designated for hearing on monopoly considerations.
Dec. 6
W1XK (42.6 Boston) is licensed.
Dec. 7
In a 3-2 decision, WHDH (830 Boston) will be granted night service with 5 kW, using a directional antenna to protect dominant KOA, Denver. This is seen as an attempt on the part of the FCC to begin “breaking down” the clear channels, and numerous operators of such stations formally protest. The decision must still be ratified by the full Commission.
Dec. 17
The C.T. Sherer department store in Worcester is tentatively granted a construction permit for a new station, WMAW (1200), and three hundred-watt synchronous boosters. The primary is to transmit from a downtown Worcester rooftop. Competing applicant Worcester Broadcasting Company's application is designated for a hearing.
Dec. 17
The construction permit for W1XER's move to FM and the license for same are granted simultaneously.
Dec. 17
WESX (1200 Salem) applies to increase power to 250 watts, full time.
Dec. 18
Yankee Network engineers put W1XER on the air from Mount Washington, New Hampshire; it begins regular operation the following day. W1XER rebroadcasts the programming of W1XOJ, Paxton.
Dec. 18
WNBH inaugurates its new transmitter facility on Crow Island in New Bedford Harbor. The new transmitter building is a single-story Cape, and includes living quarters for the transmitter operators; access is by boat launch. The tower is a 375-foot Blaw-Knox self-supporter. The original tower will be destroyed in a 1944 hurricane, but the station will remain on the island until the 1970s. New Bedford and Fairhaven police stations will also use the tower.
Dec. 30
CBS applies for a commercial FM station in Boston, to operate on 44.1 MHz.

1941

Although the U.S. has yet to enter World War II, a large-scale re-arming of the country means that electronics manufacturers are experiencing critical shortages of important materials, including aluminum (used in equipment cabinets, chassis, vacuum tubes, and aircraft) and Bakelite. The Office of Price Administration and Civilian Supply introduces a priority system, and “entertainment” is given a low priority, requiring manufacturers to redesign their equipment to use less-scarce materials. This also has the result of limiting the supply of new FM tuners and television sets; television in particular is limited to a few thousand people, most of them in New York and Los Angeles, due to the high cost and low availability of receivers that meet the new standard.

On May 2, the FCC authorizes full operation of commercial television, to begin July 1 using the newly-adopted NTSC recommendation of 525 lines, 30 frames per second, with negative video modulation and FM audio. Defense-related shortages of material and personnel will prevent most stations from getting on the air, and no new station construction will be permitted once the U.S. enters the war.

Also on May 2, acting in executive session with two commissioners not present, the FCC approves its long-awaited “Network–Monopoly” report. Among the report's major requirements: no ownership of, or network affiliation with, multiple stations in the same locality; no ownership of multiple networks by one company; and no exclusive affiliation contracts or contracts lasting longer than one year. Licensees, under the proposed rules, must remain free to reject network programs when, in their view, the public interest would be better served by local programs. Networks would be limited to owning three stations each. The proposed rules are amended in October, to come into force November 15, but NBC and CBS sue in Federal court, asking for a preliminary injunction and a judgment by the court that the FCC has exceeded it statutory power.

In July, the FCC begins another long inquiry, this time into whether the public interest is served by cross-ownership of newspapers and radio stations. The first round of hearings is marred by inaccurate data presented by FCC staff, and proceedings are postponed until late September.

On August 5, the FCC issues a proposed order prohibiting one licensee from owning multiple “standard broadcast” stations serving the same area. The proposal does not limit the number of non-overlapping AM stations a licensee may hold, but the Commission notes in its announcement that FM licenses are already subject to a limit of six per operator. A hearing date is set, but the the Commission offers no clarification as to the meaning of how “serving the same area” actually would be defined, leaving many licensees unsure as to how they should proceed. In advance of the hearing, a number of operators begin to discuss station swaps that would eliminate the most clearly imperiled stations from consideration.

Also in August, Congress considers several methods of raising additional tax revenue from radio, including House-passed measure which would institute a direct excise tax on billboards and radio time.

Jan. 1
WBOS (Westinghouse shortwave in Hull) begins regular operations with broadcasts to Latin America. Its studios are located in the Hotel Bradford adjacent to WBZ's, but it is operated separately.
Jan.
WNBH increases power to 250 watts, full time, an moves to a new transmitter site on an island in Fairhaven harbor.
Jan. 17
The FCC renews WAAB's license, after John Shepard promises not to run further editorials. In announcing the renewal, the FCC states that stations must present “all sides of important public questions fairly, objectively, and without bias”. The competing application from Mayflower Broadcasting is dismissed on the grounds that Mayflower had insufficient capital to build and operate a radio station. The “Mayflower Decision” will ultimately be challenged in court.
Jan. 31
WHDH's application for full-time operation is designated for oral argument.
Feb. 19
Westinghouse is granted a construction permit for commercial FM in Boston on 46.7 MHz. The call sign will be W67B. At the same FCC meeting, the transfer of WBZ-WBZA to Westinghouse Radio Stations, Inc., is granted, and the application of CBS to construct a commercial FM station in Boston is designated for hearing.
Feb. 20
Oral argument is held on WHDH's application for 5 kW, non-directional, at night. The “Clear Channel Group”, representing a number of I-A clear-channel licensees, and NBC, licensee of KOA, the I-A clear on 830 kHz, oppose the grant; WEEU, Reading, Pa., does not object to the grant but puts forward its own claim for night power. WHDH's argument is that KOA already receives sufficient adjacent-channel interference at night that giving WHDH night service would not reduce KOA's interference-limited secondary service area.
Feb. 25
WTAG receives a construction permit for 5 kW, full time, with a different directional pattern day and night (necessitating construction of a new directional array).
Feb. 28
The FCC dismisses Old Colony Broadcasting Co.'s application for a new station in Brockton, at the company's request.
Mar. 1
WLLH's synchronous booster in Lawrence receives a regular broadcast license.
Mar. 3
W1XTG (43.4) begins regular programming independent from WTAG.
Mar. 6
WLAW (680 Lawrence) applies to increase to 50 kW, full time, from a new transmitter site.
Mar. 21
Worcester Broadcasting Co.'s application for a new station on 1200 kHz (would have become 1230) is dismissed, four months after the competing application from C.T. Sherer Co. was granted.
Mar. 24
Westinghouse files to split WBZA away from WBZ, requesting 970 kHz and 5 kW, presumably with the construction of a new directional antenna in Springfield.
Mar. 27
After rehearing, the FCC again proposes to grant WHDH (830 Boston) full time operation, 5 kW DA-N.
Mar. 29
NARBA: WLAW to 680, WHDH to 850, WORL to 950, WBZ to 1030, WCOP to 1150, WESX and WMAW to 1230, WNAC to 1260, WORC to 1310, WLLH to 1400, WAAB to 1440, WMEX to 1510.
Apr.
The Yankee Network announces that both Boston major-league ball clubs will have their games broadcast over Yankee's FM stations, W39B and W1XOJ (44.3). Standard broadcasts are carried over WAAB (1440 Boston) and the Colonial Network.
Apr. 3
CBS's application for a new FM station in Boston is amended to specify 43.5 MHz.
Apr. 4
Boston Edison applies to build an FM station, on 44.7 MHz.
Apr. 5
W39B begins operation, the first commercial FM station in New England. Under its first rate card, $25 buys an hour of time during the day, $50 in the evening.
Apr. 7
WHDH (850 Boston) is granted a construction permit for full-time operation with 5 kW.
Apr. 11
NBC, operatior of KOA (850 Denver) petitions the FCC to stay the grant of WHDH's night power CP, pending reconsideration.
Apr. 16
The FCC grants a construction permit to Ruben E. Aronheim, a Fitchburg furniture retailer, for a 250-watt station on 1340 kHz; it will adopt the call sign WEIM.
Apr. 29
WESX (1230 Salem) receives a construction permit to increase power to 250 watts, full time.
May 23
WBOS receives a license to cover its move to Hull.
May 26
Standard Oil Company of New York (Socony) buys the first commercials made exclusively for FM; they air on the Yankee Netowork's FM stations W1XOJ and W1XER.
June 5
The Yankee Network files to relocate WAAB (1440 Boston) to Worcester, in order to comply with the FCC's new monopoly rules proposing to ban networks from owning two stations in the same market. The application also proposes to increase power to 5 kW, full time, directional day and night.
June 7
NBC files an appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals against the FCC's grant of 5 kW night power to WHDH (850 Boston), to the claimed detriment of KOA, Denver.
June 17
World Wide Broadcasting Corp. (WRUL/WRUW shortwave) receives at $40,000 loan from the Reconstruction Finance Corp., a government agency, to help finance its broadcasting services. The loan is unusual becase World Wide is a non-profit supported by donations, but it is viewed in Washington circles as a way for the government to subsidize what it sees as a counter to the propaganda broadcasts of European dictatorships.
June 30
Westinghouse's WBOS begins French-language broadcasts to Europe. The announcers are Streeter Stuart (who also does Spanish-language programs for Latin America) and Nicolas DeVyner.
July
The “Committee for the Coordination of Cultural and Commercial Relations Between the American Republics”, a government-funded body, buys $200,000 worth of time on WRUL.
July 22
The application of E. Anthony and Sons (WNBH) for a commercial FM station is placed on hold by the FCC, pending the outcome of the Commission's newspaper cross-ownership inquiry.
July 24
The Worcester Telegram's application for a commercial FM station (to replace experimental station W1XTG) is amended to specify lower power and a new frequency, 46.1 MHz. At the same time, it is removed from the FCC's hearing docket.
Aug. 2
WSAR (1480 Fall River) applies to move to 1470 kHz.
Sept. 16
World Wide Broadcasting Corp. receives a construction permit for a third shortwave station, to be located in Scituate and sharing time with the existing WRUL and WRUW.
Oct. 6
WEIM (1340 Fitchburg) begins operations.
Nov. 10
WTAG (580 Worcester) begins program tests on its new 5 kW full-time signal.
Dec. 18
WCOP now operating full-time.

1942

On February 21, a three-judge district court panel determines that it lacks jurisdiction to hear NBC and CBS's challenges to the FCC's rules governing operation of radio networks. The two networks—Mutual is on the FCC's side in favor of the new rules—appeal to the Supreme Court.

On April 9, 1941, the War Produciton Board promulgates Order L-41, with immediate effect. The order requires prior government approval of all construction projects over $5000 in estimated cost. The FCC had already issued, in a Memorandum Opinion of February 24, that changes to “standard broadcast” (AM) facilities were to be frozen, except when the applicant could demonstrate that the change would not require any rationed defense materials or would be the first radio service to a community. The WPB had already ordered all radio manufacturers to end production of civilian radio equipment (both receivers and transmitters) and convert to military production by April 22, so there is no point in granting a construction permit that cannot be built for lack of equipment. On April 16, the Defense Communications Board recommends to the WPB and the FCC that all broadcast construction cease, including those services not previously frozen, with the exception of “international” (shortwave) stations, and then on April 27, the FCC adopts a new freeze order, with a limited number of exceptions.

In November, the FCC orders all stations to reduce power by 21% (1 dB), to reduce demand for replacement tubes needed in the war effort, to be effective December 1. Quartz crystals for precision oscillators are also in short supply.

On November 16, the three-judge district-court panel considering the legality of the FCC's “network-monopoly” rules finds in favor of the government. The court stays its mandate to allow the plaintiffs, who include NBC and CBS, to appeal the case to the Supreme Court.

Jan. 11
The Boston String Orchestra makes it debut performance over the Yankee Network FM stations, W43B and W39B. The performance is also carried by W65H, Hartford, and W47A, Albany.
Jan. 23
WNAC (1260 Boston) applies for reinstatement of its expired construction permit for 5 kW full time, directional day and night.
Jan. 29
John Shepard, III, is elected chairman of the Broadcasters' Victory Council, a organization created to act as a liaison between radio and the government for the duration of the war. Shepard was already chairman of the National Defense committee of the National Association of Broadcasters, a job which will now be handled by Kalamazoo, Michigan, station owner John E. Fetzer.
Feb.
World Wide Broadcasting Corp. (WRUL/WRUW shortwave) opens a new newsroom and studio in Manhattan.
Feb. 25
W1XK receives a commercial license. Commercial operation requires a change of frequency, to 46.7 MHz, and callsign, to W67B.
Mar. 3
Shepard resigns as head of FM Broadcasters, Inc., the national FM trade association. He is succeeded by Walter Damm (WTMJ/W55M, Milwaukee).
Mar. 11
WAAB (1440 Boston) is granted its move to Worcester, where it will operate with 5 kW full time from a new directional array. WNAC (1260 Boston) is granted reinstatement of its construction permit for 5 kW night service, which includes construction of a three-tower directional array. Both permits are granted despite the wartime freeze on construction, as the stations have all the requisite materials on hand.
Mar. 20
The Yankee Network opens six new studios in the existing 21 Brookline Ave. facility. The new studios are designed specifically to meet the needs of FM, and include a 15-ton Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ.
Mar. 28
WCOP (1150 Boston) applies for a power increase, to 1 kW full time, with changes to its directional antenna system.
Mar. 29
W67B on the air with 10 kW at 46.7.
Mar. 29
Streeter Stuart and Carl DeSuze join WBZ.
Apr. 2
John Shepard is appointed to the Defense Communications Board's Committee IV, which handles issues related to radio broadcasting.
Apr. 8
WLAW's application to relocate and increase power to 50 kW is designated for hearing.
Apr. 14
C.T. Sherer Company's application to extend the time for completion on its construction permit for a new station in Worcester is designated for hearing.
June 15
WBZ (1030 Boston) leaves the Blue Network, ending a decade-plus affiliation, in favor of the former Red Network, now known simply as “NBC”, which moves over from WNAC (1260 Boston). WHDH (850 Boston) joins the Blue, replacing WBZ, and WNAC picks up Mutual affiliation (heretofore on co-owned WAAB 1440). WHDH's contract allows the network to cancel if NBC wins in its fight to protect KOA's clear channel, which would return WHDH to daytime-only status.
June 15
The Atlantic Coast Network begins operations, linking the stations in the Arde Bulova–Harold Lafount ownership group, including Boston's WCOP (1150). The flagship will be WNEW (1130 New York).
June 16
The applications of Boston Edison Compamy and E. Anthony & Sons (WNBH) for new FM stations are dismissed for lack of prosecution given the war materials rationing situation.
June 23
CBS's application for a new FM station at Paxton is designated for hearing.
June 23
WLAW's application for an upgrade to 50 kW is dismissed at the station's request, due to the inability to obtain equipment under the war materials rationing regime.
July 6
WESX (1230 Salem) applies to move its main studio to Marblehead, where the transmitter is already located.
July 7
WCOP's application for 1 kW, full time, is designated for hearing.
Aug. 12
C.T. Sherer's construction permit for WMAW (1230 Worcester) is allowed to expire unbuilt, when the company asks the FCC to dismiss its petition for an extension of time.
Aug. 12
WSAR (1480 Fall River) drops its application to move to 1470 kHz.
Aug. 18
WESX's application to move its studio to Marblehead is granted by the FCC, which also waives the main-studio rule, allowing the station to remain licensed to Salem.
Aug. 20
Alexander H. Rogers, publisher of the Lawrence Eagle and Tribune, owner of WLAW (680 Lawrence), dies. His son, Irving E. Rogers, is the general manager of WLAW.
Aug. 27
The New England Regional Network, a wireline network of NBC affiliates in the New England states, begins operation with a 15-minute triweekly commercial from Vick Chemical Co. (Vatronol and Vaporub). Hartford's WTIC is the key station of the network, which also includes WBZ-WBZA, WJAR in Providence, WCSH in Portland, and WLBZ in Bangor.
Aug. 31
CBS fomally purchases WEEI (590 Boston) from Boston Edison Company, terminating a lease arrangement which began in 1936, for $500,000.
Sept. 12
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia reverses the FCC's decision not to allow NBC to participate as a party in interest in the process of granting night power to WHDH, and remands the case to the Commission for a proper hearing. The six-judge panel released five separate opinions, with no opinion gaining a majority on the grounds, although four of the six agreed on the outcome.
Oct. 12
WHDH applies to remain nondirectional daytime until Gainesville, Fla. (WRUF) sunset.
Oct. 21
The FCC finally grants a construction permit for W43B (44.3 Boston), taking over the existing facilities of W1XOJ (44.3 Paxton), the latter having already been operating as a commercial station with that call sign under special authorization since April, 1941.
Nov. 5
The Board of War Communications takes over WRUL, WRUW, and WRUS, shortwave stations in Scituate, after being unable to reach agreement with owner World Wide Broadcasting Corp. over terms to lease of the stations.
Dec. 1
WAAB (1440) files for a license to cover its relocation from Boston to Worcester.
Dec. 8
The Worcester Telegram's application for a commercial FM station on 46.1 MHz, to replace experimental station W1XTG, is designated for hearing.
Dec. 13
WAAB (1440 Worcester) officially begins service, carrying Yankee Network and Mutual programs, with studios at the Barnard department store building.
Dec. 16
General Tire & Rubber agrees to pay $1.2 million to John Shepard, Jr.'s family trusts for all outstanding stock of Winter Street Corporation, which owns the Yankee and Colonial Networks, including Yankee's owned-and-operated stations: WNAC (1260 Boston), WAAB (1440 Worcester), WEAN (790 Providence), WICC (600 Bridgeport), W39B (43.9 Mt. Washington-Boston), and W43B (44.3 Paxton-Boston). John Shepard, III, remains chairman and general manager of Yankee.
Dec. 16
WCOP (1150 Boston)'s application for license renewal is designated for hearing after allegations surface that some of its Italian-language announcers are propagandizing for Mussolini.
Dec. 31
The FCC approves the sale of the Shepard properties to General Tire. Two commissioners dissent, saying that the FCC should have held hearings on whether it was appropriate to transfer a broadcasting company to “absentee” ownership by a large industrial concern having no prior experience in the field.
Dec. 31
The FCC grants a license to cover WAAB's move to Worcester.

1943

The the Radio Technical Planning Board, a joint effort of the Radio Manufacturers Association and the Institute of Radio Engineers, has its first meeting on September 29, and elects Walter R.G. Baker, a GE vice-president and respected expert in television technology, as its chairman. The NAB, the ARRL, and FM Broadcasters, Inc., also participate in the board. The RTPB will recommend widespread changes in frequency allocations, including the relocation of the FM broadcast band and the reallocation of TV channel 1.

On May 10, the United States Supreme Court upholds the FCC's “network-monopoly” rules, restricting network owners to a single network and providing more opportunities for local affiliates to opt out of network programming; the new rules—suspended since 1941—go into effect on June 14.

On July 6, the FCC suspends its rule limiting simulcasting between FM and “standard” stations.

On July 30, Edward J. Noble, chairman of Life Savers and owner of WMCA, agrees to pay RCA $8 million for the Blue Network and its three owned-and-operated stations. Noble's company, American Broadcasting System, would later become ABC.

The FCC's freeze order on new station construction was partially lifted on August 11, allowing new stations to be granted provided that they could be constructed using only the hundred or so low-power transmitters which had been assembled before war rationing began, and which were deemed unsuitable for war use by the government. Applications for higher powers are still limited by the unavailability of power-amplifier tubes.

On October 12, the FCC authorizes the sale of the Blue Network's stations. In the same announcement, the FCC says that the hitherto suspended duopoly rule will come into effect in six months time, prohibiting the operation of more than one network by the same ownership. The same day, the Office of Censorship relaxes the ban on broadcasting weather reports.

On November 1, all commercial FM stations change callsigns, losing the confusing K/W-number-number-city format in favor of standard four-letter callsigns just as were used by “Standard Broadcast” (AM) stations. The change is made by the FCC in response to a mid-June petition by FM Broadcasters, Inc.

FCC Order 84-A, prohibiting station owners from operating “standard broadcast” (AM) stations that have overlapping primary service areas, is promulgated November 23, with immediate effect as to new stations and station sales, and June 1, 1944, with respect to license renewals, superseding a suspended order originally announced in 1941. No Massachusetts stations are affected by the order.

Mar. 2
Westinghouse's W67B (46.7 Boston) receives a license to cover its original construction permit “in part”—because of the wartime freeze, the FCC is permitting FM and TV stations to file for licenses on however much of their facility they have actually managed to build, even if it is less than what the CP originally specified.
Mar. 16
Yankee Network FM station W39B (43.9 Mt. Washington-Boston) receives a partial license to cover along the same lines as W67B's.
Mar. 20
WNAC (1260 Boston) applies to slightly alter its construction permit for 5 kW full-time service, with a different transmitter site and a different directional array configuration.
Apr. 1
WNAC's application for CP modification is granted.
Apr. 5
WTAG (580 Worcester) takes over the CBS affiliation from WORC (1310 Worcester), which joins the Blue Network. WTAG had been an NBC affiliate, which is seen as no longer being necessary in Worcester after WBZ took over the Boston NBC affiliation.
Apr. 13
WLAW (680 Lawrence) files for an involuntary transfer of control from Alexander H. Rogers, deceased, to his executors.
Apr. 21
WCOP (1150 Boston)'s application for 1000 watts, full time, with changes to its directional array, is turned down in a proposed FCC action.
Apr. 26
WORL (950 Boston) and WCOP adopt a unified management structure. WORL is owned by Harold Lafount, who also manages the Arde Bulova radio group, including WCOP.
Apr.
WEEI (590 Boston) announcer Sherman Feller leaves the station to join the armed forces.
May 17
The Supreme Court rejects the FCC's claim that KOA (850 Denver) was not entitled to a full hearing when the Commission authorized WHDH (850 Boston) to broadcast full-time at night.
May
WOCB (1240 West Yarmouth) goes off the air due to lack of funds.
May 26
The KOA-WHDH dispute is designated for hearing.
June 8
The FCC rejects NBC's petition to postpone hearings on the KOA-WHDH dispute until “six months after the cessation of hostilities”.
June 12
Having established its right to a hearing on the breakdown of KOA's clear channel, NBC waives appearance at the hearing to consider WHDH's upgrade to full-time operation, which had been scheduled for June 30. Another station involved in the same controversy, WJW in Akron, had also been granted full time on 850 kHz, with a move to Cleveland, which at that time had only three stations; if NBC had successfully opposed relocation of WJW, it would have been forced to sell its Cleveland station, WTAM (1100), also on a clear channel, under the “network-monopoly” rules.
June 16
John Shepard, III, returns to the board of FM Broadcasters, Inc., the trade association for FM licensees.
June 22
The FCC adopts a final decision and order permitting WHDH to operate full time as a class II station on 850 kHz. KOA, the dominant station on 850, is downgraded to class I-B.
July 1
WNBH (1340 New Bedford) joins the Blue Network.
July 6
The FCC rescinds its hearing order and grants the license renewal of WCOP (1150 Boston), after the station tells the Commission that it has terminated the employment of certain Italian-language announcers accused of broadcasting Axis propaganda.
July 27
Yankee Network FM station W43B (43.1 Paxton-Boston) finally receives a license to partially cover its construction permit, along the same lines as Yankee's W39B and Westinghouse's W67B.
July 31
WOCB (1240 West Yarmouth) files for license renewal, despite having no cash to pay the bills.
Aug. 23
WNAC (1260 Boston) applies for a license to cover on its construction permit to move its transmitter and increase power to 5 kW, direcitonal, at night.
Sept. 11
The FCC denies a petition from WHDH to allow it to operate on day facilities until sunset at Gainesville, Florida (WRUF). The move would have given WHDH more than an hour of extra day operation during the winter months.
Sept. 16
WNAC receives a license to cover for its move and power increase.
Oct. 5
In a major policy address before the Advertising Club of Boston, FCC Chairman James Lawrence Fly sets out his “freedom to listen” agenda, deprecating network and station policies that limit time sales to purely commercial buyers, restricting non-commercial and membership organizations and controversial issues to just unsponsored discussion programs. Fly also argues that experienced reporters and analysts ought to be given the opportunity to express opinions, so long as news and commentary are clearly distinguished. The same day, he makes a 15-minute national address on the topic over the CBS network, which had recently instituted a policy forbidding news analysts from giving their personal opinions.
Oct. 5
Matheson Radio Co. (WHDH) applies for a new FM station, to serve Boston on 46.1 MHz, later amended to 47.7 MHz.
Oct. 26
WOCB (1240 West Yarmouth)'s application for license renewal is designated for hearing. The station has been off the air for economic reasons since May.
Nov. 1
FM call signs change: W39B to WMTW, W43B to WGTR, W67B to WBZ-FM.
Nov. 30
The FCC denies the license renewal of WOCB (1240 West Yarmouth).
Dec. 3
E. Anthony and Sons (WNBH, New Bedford Standard-Times and Mercury, Cape Cod Standard-Times) applies for a new station with WOCB's facilities, having already purchased the defunct station's equipment.
Dec. 7
Departing from its policy of holding all applications by newspapers for FM licenses pending the outcome of an investigation into newspaper cross-ownership, the FCC grants a construction permit to convert the Worcester Telegram's experimental W1XTG (43.4 Paxton) to a regular commercial license on 46.1 MHz, to be WTAG-FM.
Dec. 15
An attorney for Natalie S. Whitwell testifies before a U.S. House of Representatives committee investigating the FCC that she had loaned $40,000 to George Crockwell and others in 1936 to purchase WBSO (920 Needham, now WORL, 950 Boston) from the Babson organization, secured by the capital stock of the new company, but that control of the station was later transferred to Harold Lafount and Sanford Cohen without FCC approval. The FCC staff had recommended to the commission that it begin an investigation into the station, but no action was ever taken.
Dec. 21
The FCC approves the transfer of control of WEIM (1340 Fitchburg) from Ruben Aronheim to a new partnership in which he has a one-third share. The other partners are Milton and Mitchell Meyers.

1944

On January 13, the FCC abruptly abandons its prior attempts at limiting newspaper-broadcast cross-ownership, stating instead that it would not adopt a “general rule”. The unanimous decision is seen as a victory for commissioner T.A.M. Craven, who was steadfastly opposed to any discrimination in licensing based on the applicant's line of business.

In April, the FCC temporarily suspends the license-renewal restrictions in its “duopoly” order, to allow stations more flexibility in eliminating the prohibited overlap. It also clarifies the process for determining overlaps. No New England stations are affected.

Also in April, Panel 5 of the Radio Technical Planning Board adopts recommendations on the future of FM broadcasting. The committee rejects a proposal offered by FM Broadcasters, Inc., the FM trade association, to recommend that the FM band be moved to 80–100 MHz, and instead recommends that the band be expanded in its existing location, from 42–50 to 42–60 MHz—taking over an amateur allocation and the existing television channel 1. Meanwhile, Panel 6 recommends that thirty contiguous television channels be provided, between 40 and 220 MHz. That committee also considered whether FM audio should continue to be used, or instead be replaced by AM audio, but reserved the question for a subcommittee to consider.

In May, the FCC partially grants a petition from NBC and increases the number of television licenses one company may hold, from three to five—NBC had requested seven.

On August 11–12, a conference is held in Washington to discuss the post-war spectrum allocations situation, including FM, television, life safety, and aviation. The following week, the FCC announces hearings, to begin September 28, which will consider all aspects of civilian spectrum allocations, for the entire radio spectrum from 30 kHz to 30 GHz. Among the issues to be considered are the status of the clear channels, extending the AM broadcast band, providing more channels for FM and television broadcasting, and dedicated allocations for international (shortwave) broadcasting. As the hearings begin, the Radio Technical Planning Board recommends an FM band of 75 channels, from 41 to 56 MHz, with the existing TV channel 1 to be removed from service. Proposals are also presented to introduce longwave broadcasting, on the 200—400 kHz band, and to add three additional channels to the “standard broadcast” band: 520, 530, and 540 kHz.

On September 28, acting CBS head Paul Kesten proposes to the FCC that the FM band be expanded to 100 channels. He also proposes that television be “kicked upstairs” to 300–780 MHz, with 30 16-MHz channels, and the pre-war VHF television band be withdrawn after a transition period. (This proposal follows from CBS's desire to implement a non-monochrome-compatible system for color television.) Later on in the hearings, witnesses (among them T.A.M. Craven, former FCC chief engineer and Commissioner, now vice-president of Iowa Broadcasting Co.) propose that the FM band be relocated to the vicinity of 100 MHz, which would be less susceptible to unintentional long-distance propagation and automotive ignition noise. The hearings conclude November 2 with a final proposal from the Radio Technical Planning Board's allocations panel, chaired by RCA engineering executive C.B. Joliffe, recommending 18 channels of VHF commercial television, split between the 60–102 MHz low band and the 152-218 MHz high band; experimental UHF television on 460–956 MHz; and an expanded 75-channel FM band, 43–58 MHz.

Jan.
William O'Neil, president of General Tire & Rubber, is reported to have agreed to purchase several of the Bulova group stations, including Boston's WCOP (1150), for just under $1.2 million. O'Neil is expected to keep only one or two of the stations, with the remainder being sold on. The sale also includes two stations in Connecticut and WPEN-A/F in Philadelphia, but not WNEW (1130 New York). WCOP is one of the stations expected to be sold, since General Tire owns the Yankee Network, licensee of WNAC (1260 Boston).
Jan. 14
The Yankee Network files to assign all of its AM licenses to its parent company, Winter Street Corp., in an internal reorganization.
Jan. 18
Hildreth & Rogers (WLAW) applies again for a commercial FM station to serve Lawrence on 44.9 MHz. (The previous application had been dismissed while all newspaper-owned applications were in limbo.)
Jan. 25
WHDH's application to operate non-directional daytime until sunset at WRUF is designated for hearing.
Jan. 30
W1XTG officially shifts frequency and becomes WTAG-FM (46.1 Worcester). As WTAG is a CBS affiliate, WTAG-FM also joins the CBS network.
Feb. 29
The FCC approves the Yankee Network's assignment of its licenses to its parent company. The licenses include four AM stations (WNAC, WAAB, WEAN, and WICC), two FM stations (WMTW and WGTR), two experimental stations, four relay stations, and one “intermittent provisional” station.
Mar. 7
E. Anthony & Sons is granted a construction permit for a new station in Hyannis with the facilities of the former WOCB (1240 West Yarmouth).
Mar. 17
AT&T announces plans to build a UHF relay system for network television between New York and Boston, as the war situation permits.
Mar. 21
The transfer of WLAW from the late Alexander Rogers to his executors is granted.
Mar. 21
E. Anthony & Sons receives the call sign WOCB for their “new” station in Hyannis.
Mar. 22
Winter Street Corp. is renamed The Yankee Network Inc.
Mar. 22
Westinghouse Radio Stations (WBZ) applies for a new television station, to be on channel 5. Westinghouse also applies for stations in its other large markets, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, but not in Springfield or Fort Wayne, because FCC rules currently limit licensees to three television stations each.
Mar. 29
The FCC grants an amendment to WHDH's pending application for extension of daytime operation to Gainesville, Florida, sunset, and cancels the previously-scheduled hearing.
Apr. 27
WTAG-FM (46.1 Worcester) receives a license to cover its original construction permit.
Apr. 29
WOCB (now listed as “near Hyannis”) applies for a license to cover its original construction permit. (No construction was actually done, since the new WOCB took over the facilities of the old WOCB.)
May 6
WOCB returns to the air, joining the Blue network.
May 9
The long-pending sale of WSAR (1480 Fall River) to the Fall River Herald News is designated for a hearing to consider new issues that have arisen since the application for transfer was first filed.
May 10
The Yankee Network stations' licensee name change is granted by the FCC.
May 17
The FCC grants a license to cover for the new WOCB.
May 25
WSAR applies for an FM construction permit, on 43.7 MHz.
May
The Bulova group sells WCOP (1150 Boston) to Iowa Broadcasting Company (Des Moines Register and Tribune, Minneapolis Star Tribune, KRNT, WMT, and WNAX) for $225,000.
June 1
WTAG applies for a new FM station, this one on 43.5 MHz, to replace the existing WTAG-FM.
June 13
WORL's petition to suspend the duopoly rule, insofar as it applies to WORL and WCOP, to allow time for the paperwork to be filed in the sale of WCOP to Cowles, is denied, and WORL's application for license renewal is designated for hearing.
June 16
General Television Corp. applies for a construction permit and simultaneous license to cover on the existing facilities of experimental television station W1XG (channel 1, Boston), license expired.
June
AT&T Long Lines receives the first experimental license for point-to-point microwave facilities, in 12 different frequency bands between 1.9 and 12.5 GHz. The company will use the frequencies to test a microwave relay between New York and Boston for telephone, radio, and television network services.
June 20
WESX (1230 Salem) is granted a license modification to move its main studio back to Salem, having previously operated from the Marblehead transmitter site under a waiver of the main studio rule.
June 27
WHDH (850 Boston) is granted an extension of day power from sunset in Boston to sunset in Gainesville, Florida (WRUF) or Cleveland (WJW), whichever is earlier.
June 27
Irving E. Rogers, co-executor of the Alexander Rogers estate, applies for FCC consent to acquire control of WLAW (680 Lawrence) from the estate, for $26,687.03. If approved, the transaction will give him 351 shares out of 700.
June 30
Bulova and Lafount finally file the FCC paperwork for the sale of WCOP (1150 Boston) to Iowa Broadcasting Co. (Cowles family), which was announced in May.
July 11
WLLH (1400 Lowell-Lawrence) receives a construction permit to increase power at its Lawrence booster from 100 to 250 watts.
July 31
E. Anthony & Sons (WNBH, WOCB) applies for a new FM facility, to be located on Asnebumskit Hill in Paxton with studios in Boston, on 43.4 MHz.
Aug. 3
E. Anthony & Sons applies for a television station, to be on channel 10 in Providence.
Aug. 21
E. Anthony & Sons applies for a television station in Boston as well, on channel 2.
Aug. 22
The FCC approves Irving Rogers' acquisition of a controlling interest in WLAW from the estate of founder Alexander Rogers.
Aug. 24
Filene's Television, Inc., applies for a new FM station in Boston, on 43.1 MHz.
Aug. 30
WHDH applies for a “developmental” FM station, to be on 47.7 MHz in Boston.
Sept. 13
CBS applies for an experimental television station in Boston, at 460 MHz, using a 16-MHz channel and the CBS color system. Similar applications are made in Los Angeles, Chicago, and St. Louis. (CBS would eventually acquire conventional TV licenses in those cities, but not in Boston.)
Sept. 14
A hurricane hits southeastern Massachusetts, toppling the four-year-old self-supporting towers of WNBH, on Little Crow Island in New Bedford Harbor, and WOCB in West Yarmouth.
Sept. 19
WLLH (1400 Lowell-Lawrence) applies for a license to cover on the power increase for the Lawrence transmitter.
Oct. 9
WLLH receives its license to cover on the Lawrence upgrade.
Oct. 9
The FCC approves the $225,000 sale of WCOP (1150 Boston) to Iowa Broadcasting Company (soon to become Cowles Broadcasting). (At the same meeting, the FCC also grants the Yankee Network's purchase of WNBC (1410 Hartford), which becomes WHDT, opening up the possibility for NBC's flagship, WEAF, to adopt that call sign.)
Oct. 17
Pending for more than four years, the sale of WSAR to a trust controlled by the Fall River Herald-News is finally approved by the FCC. The decision reiterates the Commission's opposition to licensees with trust structures in which control is vested in disinterested trustees rather than the beneficiary. The FCC approves the WSAR sale after an investigation of the proposed licensee's management structure.
Oct. 19
In a letter to FCC chairman James Lawrence Fly, Congressman Richard B. Wigglesworth (R-Mass.) demands that the FCC rescind the all of its grants of station sales by the Bulova group. (Wigglesworth is a minority member of the House Select Committee to Investigate the FCC, and has long been critical of the FCC, and station sales in particular; he objects to the practice of selling a radio station for its value as an operating business rather than for the value of its fixed assets, which he describes as “trafficking”, although this this issue is not raised in his letter, instead noting allegations of “hidden ownership”.)
Oct. 23
Filene's Television, Inc., applies for a new television station in Boston, to be in channel 7.
Oct. 30
WHDH is granted a CP for a 1-kW “developmental” FM station, now to be on 49.9 MHz “and other frequencies”. The station will be used to experiment with antenna systems and will be assigned the call sign W1XMR.
Nov. 22
Cowles applies for a one-kilowatt “developmental” FM in Boston, on 49.1 MHz.
Dec. 15
Cowles signs an affiliation contract for three of its stations, including WCOP (1150 Boston), with the Blue Network, to be effective June 15, 1945. Also signing with the Blue is WLAW (680 Lawrence), a CBS affiliate. The shift leaves WHDH (850 Boston) without a network affiliation; Broadcasting reports that WHDH broke off renewal talks when the Blue opened negotiations with WLAW. As a result of the new affiliation, WCOP owner Cowles drops plans to build a network from Boston to Washington.
Dec.
The owners of Fitchburg's WEIM apply for a new class IV (graveyard) station in Brockton, to be on 1450 kHz.
Dec. 22
WHDH applies for an amendment to W1XMR's “developmental” construction permit, specifying the frequencies 49.9 and 99.8 MHz, becoming one of the first stations to operate on what would become the new FM band.

1945

On January 3, the new Congess meets, and the outgoing House Select Committee to Investigate the FCC (the Lea Committee) presents its recommendations. The committee splits on party lines, but both majority and minority reports favor a rewrite of the Communications Act of 1934. The majority recommends, among other things, that Congress should decide the question of newspaper cross-ownership, that it should determine how much supervision of station finances and sale prices is appropriate, and that it reconsider the “public interest, convenience and necessity” standard. The majority also recommends a larger FCC engineering and field-office staff, to handle the increasing number of applications and the introduction of new technologies. The Republican minority issues two reports, divided over the issue of whether the FCC should have the power to approve sale prices of stations.

On January 16, the FCC unanimously (with one vacancy) proposes a new allocation plan for frequencies above 30 MHz. Included in the plan is the relocation of FM broadcasting, to a new 84–102 MHz band, and television, with six channels in each of two bands, 54–84 and 180–216 MHz. The independent FM broadcasters protest the new proposals; FM Broadcasters, Inc., a trade association, asserts that relocating the FM broadcast band would cost consumers $75 million. The three major networks (NBC, CBS, and Blue) all support the proposals, as does Cowles Broadcasting. Oral argument begins on February 28.

The same day, the FCC also reinstates a freeze on all broadcasting applications, with the exception of those that propose new service in “white areas”, in response to a War Production Board memo indicating that the WPB will no longer authorize most new station construction due to the “problem of finding manpower for war industries”. FCC chairman Paul A. Porter advises pending applicants to withdraw their applications unless they can meet the new standard, but the Commission shortly thereafter announces a different procedure, whereby applications will be held in the pending file until 60 days after the freeze is lifted.

The FCC releases a series of new spectrum allocation proposals in late May. The first to be announced, on May 17, is the new allocation plan—or rather, plans—for 25 MHz and up. The Commission has been unable to decide how it should balance the requirements of FM and television broadcasting, so it releases three different proposals: the first assigns facsimile to 48–50 MHz, FM to 50–68 MHz, and television to 68–74 and 78–108 MHz; the second assigns television to 44–56, 60–66, and 86–104 MHz, facsimile to 66–68 MHz, and FM to 68–86 MHz; the third proposal assigns television to 44–50 and 78-84 MHz, FM to 84–102 MHz (as previously proposed), and facsimile to 102–104 MHz. All three plans share the same assignments for high-band VHF and UHF broadcasting. The allocations for frequencies below 25 MHz are announced on May 21, and propose adding 540 kHz as a new “standard broadcast” channel.

On June 15, The Blue Network is officially renamed the American Broadcasting Company, the change in its corporate name having taken place late in 1944. American begins announcing itself as “ABC” in July, despite claims of prior use by competitor Associated Broadcasting Corp.

On June 27, the FCC finally decides, by a unanimous vote, to define the permanent location for the FM band as 88–106 MHz, with manufacturers advised that the upper limit will increase to 108 MHz when facsimile service is moved out of the 106–108 MHz band. Existing FM signals will be packed into a transitional 42–44 MHz band, to be reallocated for non-broadcast fixed and mobile services after the transitional band is phased out. The move is a disappointment to Major Armstrong, Zenith, RCA, and FM Broadcasters, Inc., who had all argued in favor of retaining the existing 42–50 MHz FM band. The 88–108 MHz band would eventually be adopted throughout the entire world, with the exception of Japan where a 76–90 MHz FM band was chosen. The 44–50 MHz portion of the old FM band is reassigned to television channel 1.

Two days later, the FCC announces a decision in a long-running controversy over the United Auto Workers' complaints against the policies of many stations to refuse to sell advertising time for the discussion of “controversial issues”, as embodied in the NAB Code. The FCC ratifies the stance of WHKC, Columbus, which said that (contra NAB) it would determine what advertisers could air on the basis of its own independent judgment. Broadcasting sees this as a partial reversal of 1941's Mayflower decision.

With the end of the war and of rationing for defense materials, licensees begin to apply for new FM and television signals, as well as upgrades to existing stations. Many new directional arrays would be built during the post-war boom years, most of which still stand today. It takes the country some time to demobilize after the German (May 8) and Japanese (Sept. 2) surrenders, and it takes the FCC a while to work through all the applications that come in for these new services, so not a whole lot happens until 1946.

On October 1, the FCC lifts the 1942 power-reduction order, allowing all station to return to their licensed transmitter power. The FCC begins processing of frozen applications from its “pending file” on October 7.

On October 10, CBS announces the successful demonstration of its mechanical “flywheel” color television system, using UHF frequencies.

By mid-October, the FCC's backlog of applications has grown to 1,433, and the Commission staff are weeks behind in doing even initial processing on them. It is estimated that it would take the staff then employed another ten years to work through all of the pending applications.

On October 20, James Petrillo, the head of the powerful American Federation of Musicians, ordered the radio networks to employ twice the number of musicians if they wished to simulcast programming on FM, on threat of strike. The networks then notified those affiliates that had FM licenses that they may be required to cease simulcasting. (The networks still aired many live music programs, and the AFM represnted nearly all of the talent in the radio orchestras. This was no idle threat: Petrillo had done so before, to punish the networks for the disobedience of their affiliates.)

On November 16, the FCC officially adopted the system of FM channel numbering which is still in use (albeit only by engineers) today. Replacing an earlier system in which channels had been numbered from 1 to 100, in the new system, numbering starts at 201 (88.1 MHz); it was thought that this would allow for eventual expansion of the FM broadcast band in either direction. This did ultimately happen, when channel 200 (87.9 MHz) was added to the FM service, but few manufacturers ever marked their dials which channel numbers as originally expected by both the FCC and broadcasters.

The Bell System coaxial line for network television distribution is inaugurated for a live broadcast of the Army-Navy Game on December 1. The line runs from Washington to New York; completion of the line to Boston is still some months away (and there are no commercial stations licensed in Boston anyway). The number of authorized AM broadcast stations in the United States passed 1,000 for the first time ever on December 14. That same week, American Broadcasting Company (the former Blue Network) and Michigan-based Associated Broadcasting Corp. settle their lawsuit over rights to the initialism “ABC”: Associated will change its name to “Associated Broadcasting System” or “ABS”.

Jan. 2
Harvey Radio Labs of Cambridge applies for a new “developmental” 250-watt facsimile station.
Feb.
W1XMR does experiments with a biconical horn antenna, a new antenna type invented by A. Earl Cullum, Jr., of the federal Office of Scientific Research and Development.
Feb. 28
E. Anthony & Sons assigns its licenses—WNBH and WOCB—to Bristol Broadcasting Co., in an internal reorganization.
Mar. 6
Harvey Radio Labs is granted its “developmental” facsimile construction permit.
Apr.
Twentieth Century Fox leases W1XG, Boston, an experimental television station owned by General Television Corp., and says that it will upgrade the equipment and apply for a new license for the station.
May
Raytheon negotiates with the Waltham park commission to construct a television and FM transmitter site on Prospect Hill. The city's mayor is in favor of the project and recommended that the city council give Raytheon preference as an important local industrial employer.
May
The FCC approves the transfer of WNBH and WOCB to Bristol Broadcasting.
June
WMEX (1510 Boston) signs an affiliation contract with Associated Broadcasting Corp.'s new national radio network, which is scheduled to begin programming on Sept. 16.
June 15
WCOP (1150 Boston) takes over the Blue (now American) affiliation from WHDH (850 Boston), which becomes an independent. WLAW (680 Lawrence) drops CBS for American. (In nearby Manchester, N.H., WFEA drops NBC in favor of CBS.) WBZ and WNAC stick with NBC and Mutual, respectively.
June 18
Filene's Television amends its application for a new television station in Boston, specifying channel 9 under the FCC's new frequency allocations.
July 12
Raytheon amends its Boston TV application to specify the new channel 2.
July 18
Raython applies for a new FM station in Waltham, frequency to be determined.
Aug. 2
The World Co. applies for a new FM station in Lawrence on 105 MHz.
Aug. 20
WHDH amends its application for a new FM station to specify 99.9 MHz.
Aug. 27
New England Theaters, Inc., applies for a new TV station in Boston on channel 4.
Aug. 28
WLAW applies to increase power to 50 kW, full time, and construct a new directional array in Burlington.
Sept. 12
FCC promulgates new rules for FM and announces new frequency allocations for existing stations. WBZ-FM is assigned 95.7 MHz (using 20 kW at 455 feet above average terrain); WTAG-FM gets 102.1 (20 kW at 477 feet); WGTR gets 101.7 (9.5 kW at 680 feet); and the Yankee Network station on Mount Washington, WMTW, gets 97.9 MHz with only 10 kW. (Meanwhile, WMIT on Mount Mitchell, in North Carolina, gets a whopping 200 kW!) Licensees have until Sept. 25 to file objections to the new assignments, and until Jan. 1 to construct the new facility. The FCC also publishes a list of pending applications for new FM stations, including six in Boston, one in Fall River, one in Haverhill, one in Lawrence, one in New Bedford, one in Waltham, and one in Worcester.
Sept. 12
WCOP's pending application for a power increase is dismissed without prejudice at the station's requiest.
Sept. 17
The Templetone Radio Manufacturing Corp. applies for a new station in Boston with four satellite transmitters, to be on 1450 kHz.
Sept. 25
Many applications for experimental or developmental television stations are dismissed by the FCC, including Boston applications from Twentieth Century Fox and General Television Corp.
Sept. 27
Bay State Beacon, Inc., applies for a new station in Brockton, to be on 1450 kHz (with the standard “graveyard” facilities of 250 watts full-time). The application is designated for a hearing along with Templetone's from ten days earlier.
Oct. 1
WCOP applies for 5 kW-U DA-2 from a new transmitter site to be constructed in Lexington.
Oct. 2
The Matheson family files to transfer control of WHDH to a subsidiary of Boston Herald-Traveler Corp., for a total consideration of $823,806.94.
Oct. 5
The Yankee Network applies for a new FM station on 92.9 in Boston, to compensate for reduced Boston coverage of WMTW and WGTR under the FCC's new FM frequency plan. Yankee also formally applies to move WGTR from 44.3 to 101.7 MHz in accordance with the new plan, and move its studios to Worcester (where, presumably, it would share space with Yankee's WAAB 1440).
Oct. 9
Cur-Nan Company applies for a new FM station in Brockton, frequency unspecified. Cur-Nan is a new company controlled by former Gillette executive Joseph Curran.
Oct. 15
Broadcasting reports on a huge backlog of post-war applications piling up at the cash-strapped FCC after the termination of its special wartime appropriation. Among the applications are: New England Broadcasting Co., for 1230 kHz at Worcester; Southeastern Mass. Broadcasting Corp., for 1400 in New Bedford; Atlantic Radio Corp., for 1200 in Boston (5 kW, full time); the Templetone (sometimes shown as “Templeton”) Radio Mfg. Corp., for 1450 in Boston with satellites in Brockton, Quincy, Saugus, and Belmont; Cur-Nan Company, for 1450 in Brockton.
Oct. 17
The FCC dismisses applications for new Boston TV and FM stations at the request of the applicant, Filene's Television Inc. Filene's parent company, Federated Department Stores, also withdrew similar applications in Cincinnati and Columbus. An application by DuMont Labs for a new Boston TV station is returned unfiled, also at the applicant's request.
Oct. 22
The FCC adopts a new allocations plan for FM, based on a proposal from CBS. New frequencies are assigned to WBZ-FM (100.7), WTAG-FM (102.7), WGTR (103.1), and WMTW (98.1). The FCC also issues conditional grants to 46 other stations, none of which are located in Massachusetts.
Oct. 24
In a 16-page proposed decision, the FCC turns down renewal of WORL (950)'s license, on which hearings had been held in 1944. The FCC charges that the station concealed its ownership, filed false information about stock transfers involving Sanford and George Cohen, who were then attorneys for Arde Bulova, and made false statements about the owners' financial qualifications to build out a construction permit the station had applied for.
Nov. 14
An application from the Worcester Telegram Publishing Co. for a new FM station in Worcester, on the old band, is dismissed at the company's request.
Nov. 14
E. Anthony & Sons (WNBH) amends its application for a Boston TV station to specify channel 3 instead of channel 2.
Nov. 20
The Yankee Network files to move WMTW (43.9) to the new band on 97.9 and simultaneously to relocate studios to Portland.
Nov. 21
Merrimac Broadcasting Co., of Lowell, amends its prior application for a new FM station to specify a frequency, 93.9 MHz, and change transmitter site from North Andover to Andover.
Nov. 23
The FCC announces conditional grants for new FM stations: a “community” station to Cur-Nan Co. (Brockton), and “metropolitan” stations to Fall River Broadcasting Co. (WSAR), Hildreth & Rogers Co. (Lawrence Eagle-Tribune), and Bristol Broadcasting Co. (WNBH)
Nov. 23(?)
The FCC also announces a new list of television channel allocations, after the Commission's initial list was roundly panned. The new list gives Boston channels 2, 4, 7, 9, and 13; Worcester, channel 5; Lowell-Lawrence-Haverhill channel 6; and New Bedford-Fall River and Manchester each get a “community” station on channel 1. In other nearby markets, Providence gets channel 11 and Springfield gets channel 3; Portland gets 3 and 8; and Hartford gets channels 8 and 10.
Nov. 27
The Yankee Network files an amendment to its application for a Boston FM, changing the frequency requested from 92.9 to 101.1 MHz.
Dec.
WCOP (1150) advertising describes its new studios under construction in the New England Mutual Life Building in the Back Bay.
Dec.
WORL (950) files legal briefs requesting a formal oral argument before the FCC in the matter of the non-renewal of the station's license. The station's attorneys argue that the punishment is too severe for the infraction.
Dec. 5
Two applications for new stations on 1400 kHz in New Bedford are designated for hearing. One comes from Southeastern Mass. Broadcasting Corp.; the other from Bay State Broadcasting Corp.
Dec. 6
The FCC announces conditional grants of new FM stations to the Haverhill Gazette and North Shore Broadcasting Co. (WESX). The FCC also dismisses Bristol Broadcasting Co.'s application for a new FM in Boston, at the company's request.
Dec. 19
Additional FM stations are conditionally granted by the FCC, including one in Fitchburg to the owners of WEIM. At the same time, the FCC releases its complete national table of allotments for “metropolitan” and “rural” stations, giving new applicants the opportunity to request a specific frequency. Applicants desiring an FM station in Boston were given until Feb. 9, 1946, to file, in advance of a scheduled hearing on March 11. There were ten applications pending, from CBS, The Yankee Network, Raytheon, the International Ladies Garment Workers Union, Fidelity Broadcasting (the Boston Herald-Traveller), Northern Corp., Matheson Radio Co. (WHDH), Templeton Radio Manufacturing Corp. , Massachusetts Broadcasting Co., and Harvey Radio Labs. Channels allocated for use in Boston are 92.1, 92.5, 92.9, 93.3, 93.5, 93.7, 100.7, and 101.1, plus 96.1 in Haverhill, 95.7 in Lawrence, 95.3 in Lowell, and 99.9, 100.3, 102.7, and 103.1 in Worcester. Mount Washington, N.H., home of Yankee's WMTW, receives four channels.

1946

FM broadcasting moves from its original band, 42–50 MHz, to the current band, 88–108 MHz, effective January 1. As a result, all FM stations must change frequency. (A limited period of dual operation is allowed during the transition.) In an unwelcome surprise to broadcasters who had scrambled to meet the deadline, the FCC decided to hold a hearing on January 18 to consider whether the evidence underlying the original decision was flawed—as claimed in a petition from Zenith—and if the “low band” ought to be reopened to some form of broadcasting service. The Zenith petition was denied on January 24, leaving the FM band unchanged. Meanwhile, on January 14, hearings began (again) into the clear-channel question, which continued into the summer.

Working to clear the application backlog, individual FCC commissioners are sent to “ride circuit”, holding hearings six days a week in various parts of the country.

On February 4, representatives from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Newfoundland, Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic meet in Washington to discuss the future of the North American Radio Broadcasting Agreement, which is set to expire on March 29. Cuba requests 19 additional frequencies, including ten clear channels, and demanded use (specifically) of the 640 kHz clear channel, heretofore assigned for use in the Bahamas. In exchange, Cuba agreed to give up the 1540 kHz clear channel to the U.S., which then reassigned it to the Bahamas as compensation for the loss of 640. Cuba had threatened to simply take control of all of the channels it wanted on March 30. The new interim agreement runs for three years.

Associated Broadcasting System, the fifth national radio network, cancels all of its leased telephone lines, used for program delivery, except on the Pacific Coast, on February 11, as it is unable to find additional backers to cover its losses. WMEX was the network's Boston affiliate. The company would be liquidated in April.

In March, the newly established Civilian Production Administration issues an order freezing all commercial construction over $1000 in value, so that priority may be given to constructing new housing for recently demobilized veterans. This effectively freezes construction of new television and FM stations. Broadcasters protest, and argue that their construction projects should be included under the CPA's $15,000 cap for “industrial” construction rather than the $1000 limit for “commercial” structures. The agency rejects these appeals.

CBS lobbies aggressively for its new “high definition” television system, with mechanical “field sequential” color. The new system requires higher handwidth and is being developed experimentally in the UHF band. Many CBS radio affiliates are discouraged from applying for television licenses as a result of CBS's efforts, and the CPA construction ban causes other potential television operators to withdraw their applications from FCC consideration. RCA, GE, and DuMont, meanwhile, press ahead with black-and-white television in the existing VHF band.

In April, Congress passes, and President Truman signs, a bill to crack down on union abuses that affect broadcasting. The bill, originally introduced by Rep. Clarence Lea, is directed specifically at the American Federation of Musicians and its president, James Petrillo; it forbids AFM (or any other union) from engaging in secondary boycotts against broadcasters or demanding that licensees hire “standby” musicians, paid to do nothing while other musicians perform, but leaves existing labor contracts in place. The AFM's attorneys promise a court challenge, which takes place later in the year when Petrillo is charged with violating the Lea Act.

At a speech in May in Ohio, FCC Commissioner Clifford J. Durr suggested that radio stations ought to reserve time for station editorials and “substantial” responses, and called into question the propriety of the “Mayflower” decision of 1940 reprimanding Shepard's WAAB (then on 1410 in Boston, later 1440 and then moved to Worcester).

On May 28, the FCC proposes rule changes for the nascent FM service, increasing the power limit for “community” stations from 250 watts to 1000 while renaming the category “class A”. “Metropolitan” and “rural” stations would be renamed “class B”.

The second major multi-city telecast of a live sporting event takes place on June 19. NBC's WNBT produced the broadcast of a boxing match between Billy Conn and Joe Louis from Yankee Stadium; it was rebroadcast via over-the-air relay by GE's WRGB in Schenectady and Philco's WPTZ in Philadelphia, and sent by AT&T coaxial cable to Du Mont's W3XWT in Washington. The telecast receives very positive reviews from both the print media and government officials who were invited to view the fight at the NBC studios in New York and at the Statler Hotel in Washington. The broadcast is presented by NBC as a demonstration that black-and-white TV is ready for the general public.

In July, the FCC formally adopts the “Avco Plan”—named after the procedure originally proposed after the sale of Crosley Corp. (owner of WLW in Cincinnati) to Avco Corp.—requiring those selling a broadcast station advertise the sale for 60 days to allow other potential purchasers to file with the FCC. The Commission would then choose from among all bidders, and the licensee could choose to sell to the FCC's preferred bidder, or cancel the sale. As finally adopted, the rule does not apply when the transfer occurs by will or trust, or when an existing stockholder acquires a controlling interest.

On August 17, the FCC approves the first “-TV” call sign (for KOB-TV in Albuquerque). Heretofore, while “-FM” call signs had been permitted, TV stations were required to use four-letter call signs from the same series as radio stations.

In early September, the FCC releases an updated FM allocations chart, with the following assignments: Boston 92.1, 92.5, 92.9, 93.3, 93.7, 94.3, 94.7, 95.1, 100.7, 101.1; Fall River-New Bedford 96.5, 96.9, 95.3; Fitchburg 99.9; Haverhill 96.1; Lawrence 95.7; Lowell 95.5; Worcester 100.3, 102.7, 103.1.

Significant numbers of television sets go on sale for the Christmas holidays, ranging from a 7-inch set for $170 ($2,046 in 2014 dollars) to a 20-inch Du Mont console receiver that also includes a radio tuner and a turntable, for $2400 ($28,896 in 2014). Total production is expected to be around 20,000 units, most of which will be sold in cities that already have television, such as New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Los Angeles. Meanwhile, AT&T Long Lines is installing coaxial cable for network television hookups, with full transcontinental coverage anticipated by the end of 1947.

On October 29, RCA demonstrates an all-electronic color television system to the press. The competition between RCA and CBS will keep color television effectively sidelined for several more years. The system used in the RCA demonstration is not yet compatible with black-and-white broadcasts, and still requires approximately three times the bandwidth of a standard television channel.

Jan. 22
WSAR (1480 Fall River) applies to change frequency to 1470, increase power to 5 kW-U DA-2, and move its transmitter from Somerset, Mass., to Portsmouth, R.I.
Jan. 22
Atlantic Radio Corp. files an amendment to its application for a new AM station, substituting 550 kHz for the originally proposed 1200 kHz, with a new antenna configuration; power would remain 5 kW unlimited time.
Jan. 24
Old Colony Broadcasting Co. applies for a new station in Brockton on 1450 kHz.
Jan. 24
The FCC holds oral argument in the matter of WORL's denied license renewal.
Feb. 12
James D. Asher, Morton R. Wade, and Martin Anastasi, doing business as “Asher Broadcasting Service” apply for a new AM station in Quincy, to be full-time on 1490 kHz. The call sign WJDA is requested for the new station.
Feb. 14
Templetone amends its application for 1450 in Boston to instead be for a 1-kW daytimer on 1090 kHz and dropping the request for satellite transmitters, thereby removing it from a group of mutually-exclusive applications that had been designated for a hearing on March 6.
Feb. 19
Enterprise Publishing Co. (Brockton Enterprise) applies for a new “community” FM station on 105.1.
Feb. 25
Bay State Broadcasting Company, already an applicant for AM 1400 in New Bedford, applies for an FM station there on 99.7
Feb. 28
The owners of WEIM (1280 Fitchburg) apply for a “community” FM station there on 104.1.
Mar. 1
WNBH (1340 New Bedford) applies to change frequency to 550 kHz, with a concomitant increase in power to 5 kW DA-N from a new transmitter site. Sister station WOCB (1240 West Yarmouth) applies to move to 1340, contingent on the WNBH change.
Mar. 6
FCC commissioner and former Vermont governor William H. Wills dies of a heart attack in Brockton, after presiding over a hearing considering several applications for new AM stations in southeastern Mass. J. Alfred Guest, an attorney from the FCC's New York office, is designated to preside in his place.
Mar. 15
Enterprise Publishing Co. (Brockton Enterprise) applies for a new AM station, to be on 1110 kHz with 250 W full time.
Mar. 18
The Herald-Traveler officially takes over control of WHDH (850 Boston).
Mar. 20
WCOP (1150 Boston)'s application for an upgrade to 5 kW-U, DA-2, from a new transmitter site in Lexington, is granted. At the same meeting, the FCC also grants WLAW (680 Lawrence)'s application for a power increase to 50 kW-U, DA-2, from a new transmitter site to be constructed in Burlington, and designates for hearing Asher Broadcasting's application for a new station in Quincy in 1490 kHz.
Mar. 20
Plymouth County Broadcasting Corp. applies for a new “community” FM station in Brockton, frequency and power unspecified.
Mar. 28
The Haverhill Gazette Co. applies for a new AM station on 1490 kHz. (The application is finally accepted by the FCC on April 12.)
Apr. 2
FCC Commissioner E. K. “Jack” Jett chairs a hearing in Boston to take evidence about which area FM applicantions should be granted.
Apr. 3
Massachusetts Broadcasting Co. amends its application for 91.7 MHz in Boston to specify 94.5 MHz instead.
Apr. 4
Applications for daytimers on 1090 in Boston (Templetone) and 1010 in Brockton (Brockton Enterprise) are designated for hearing.
Apr. 4
FCC commissioner Clifford J. Durr presides over a hearing considering applications from nine existing station owners and radio manufacturers for new FM stations in Boston. John Shepard III testifies that the Yankee Network has spent $1,400,000 developing FM. FM inventor Edwin Armstrong testifies on behalf of Templetone, attesting to the company's qualifications to construct and operate an FM station.
Apr. 5
The Yankee Network withdraws its applications for new television stations in Boston and Hartford, having previously withdrawn its application in Providence.
Apr. 8
The FCC holds a hearing in Washington on 13 applications for 550 kHz, including that of Atlantic Radio Corp. for Boston.
Apr. 9
Southeastern Mass. Broadcasting Corp. applies for a new “community” FM station in New Beford, frequency to be assigned by the FCC. The same company is also an applicant for 1400 kHz in New Bedford.
Apr. 17
Bierbach Broadcasting Corp.'s application for a new Boston FM station is dismissed by the FCC at the company's request.
Apr. 19
Enterprise Publishing Co. (Brockton Enterprise) amends its application for a new AM station to specify 990 kHz in place of 1110.
Apr. 23
Bay State Broadcasting Co. is granted a conditional construction permit for a new FM station in New Bedford. The permit is subject to further FCC approval of engineering and programming submissions.
Apr. 25
The Gardner Broadcasting Co. applies for a new AM station in Gardner, to be on 1230 kHz.
Apr. 29
Bob Clayton begins “Boston Ballroom” on WHDH. The same day, WHDH inaugurates hourly five-minute newscasts.
May 3
The FCC grants two applications for new Boston-area AM stations, both daytimers: Templetone Radio Manufacturing Co.'s for 1090 in Boston (to become WBMS), and Enterprise Publishing Co.'s for 990 in Brockton. Templetone's application is granted conditionally: the company must amend it to specify an acceptable studio location.
May 8
The Gardner Broadcasting Co. reserves the call sign WHOB for its proposed new 1230 in Gardner.
May 16
New England Broadcasting Co.'s application for a new station on 1230 kHz in Worcester is granted.
May 17
The FCC grants two applications for new television stations, from Raytheon (to be on channel 2 in Waltham) and from WTAG (to be on channel 5 in Worcester). (The WTAG permit will be returned in late July, the company preferring to wait for color TV on UHF.) In addition, E. Anthony & Co. is directed to amend its application for a Boston TV station to comply with FCC engineering standards for antenna height.
May 31
North Shore Broadcasting Co. is granted a final construction permit for a new “community” FM station on 105.5 MHz in Salem.
June 6
Gardner Broadcasting Co. amends its application for a new AM station to specify 1490 kHz instead of 1230 kHz.
June 12
WHDH (850 Boston) applies to relocate its transmitter to Wayland (from Saugus) and increase power to 50 kW-U DA-2. The application is accepted by the FCC on July 9.
June 17
WSAR (1480 Fall River) amends its January application for a new transmitter site, power increase, and frequency change, dropping the proposed change in frequency and transmitter site.
June 20
The FCC holds hearings in Fall River on three competing applications for 1400 kHz in Bristol County, from Southeastern Mass. Broadcasting Corp. and Bay State Broadcasting Co. at New Bedford, and Narragansett Broadcasting Co. at Fall River.
June 24
The FCC holds addiitional hearings on five applications for a new station on 1450 kHz in Brockton. The same day, the FCC holds another hearing in Washington on 13 applications for 550 kHz, including that of Atlantic Radio Corp. for Boston.
June 28
Boston Broadcasting Corp. files for a new AM station, to be on 1600 kHz with 5 kW-U, DA-2, serving Brookline (application accepted for filing on July 13).
July 1
The State Department relinquishes control of Scituate shortwave station WRUL, returning operational responsibilities to licensee World Wide Broadcasting Foundation, from which it had been seized in November, 1942. World Wide continues to carry government programming, however, because its license will expire the moment it ceases to do so.
July 3
E. Anthony & Sons withdraws its application for a new Boston TV station on channel 3.
July 10
WCOP files for a license to cover on its new 5 kW-U DA-2 facility from a new Concord Ave., Lexington, transmitter site. The station also announces a news partnership with the Boston Globe.
July 12
Hildreth & Rogers receives a construction permit for its proposed class-B FM station on 95.7 MHz in Lawrence; likewise Cur-Nan's class-A on 105.1 in Brockton. Bay State Broadcasting's proposed class-B on 96.9 in New Bedford receives preliminary approval.
July 13
Old Colony Broadcasting's application for a new station on 1450 kHz in Brockton is dismissed.
July 13
Suburban Broadcasting Co. applies for a new AM station in Framingham, to be on 1190 kHz with 1 kW, daytime only.
July 25
Enterprise Publishing Co. applies to amend its construction permit for a new AM station on 990 kHz in Brockton, which now has the call sign WBET, to specify a studio location of 60 Main St. (the Enterprise offices) and a transmitter at the corner of Torrey and West Streets. Atlantic Radio Corp.'s application for a new station in Boston on 550 is amended to reduce the requested night power to 1 kW.
July 30
WESX (1230 Salem) requests FCC permission to install an FM antenna atop the station's existing AM tower in Marblehead.
July 31
New England Broadcasting Co. requests FCC approval of its new station's transmitter and studio locations. The new station, on 1230 in Worcester, has received the call sign WNEB.
Aug. 1
Haverhill Gazette Co.'s application for a new AM station on 1490 kHz is granted, as is Gardner Broadcasting Co.'s application for the same frequency in Gardner. Haverhill will receive the call sign WHGF, and Gardner will be WHOB.
Aug. 4
WHDH (850 Boston) begins operations from new studios in the Shearer Building, on Park Square, Boston.
Aug. 5
Asher Broadcasting amends its application for a new AM station to specify 910 kHz instead of 1190 kHz. (Accepted for filing Aug. 9.)
Aug. 9
Puritan Broadcast Service applies for a new AM station in Lynn, to be on 900 kHz, daytime only. (Accepted for filing Aug. 13.)
Aug. 12
Westinghouse receives a construction permit for a new television station in Boston, to be on channel 4, with 10 kW visual from 500 feet above average terrain.
Aug. 13
WESX receives FCC permission to mount an FM antenna on its tower.
Aug. 15
The FCC formally cancels Telegram Publishing Co.'s construction permit for television channel 5 in Worcester.
Aug. 19
Narragansett Broadcasting Co., applicant for 1400 in Fall River, applies for an FM station (frequency and power to be assigned), also at Fall River.
Aug. 27
WCOP receives a license to cover its upgraded 5 kW-U, DA-2, transmitter plant in Lexington.
Aug. 28
WORL (950 Boston) sale is advertised under the “Avco Plan”. Harold LaFount and partners propose to sell the station for $200,000 to Bitner Broadcasting Co., which is owned by former Filene's executive Laurence S. Bitner and insurance company officer Dominic Perri. The FCC receives the application on August 30, and it is finally accepted for filing on September 23.
Aug. 30
Southeastern Mass. Broadcasting Corp. receives a “conditional grant” for a new class-A FM station in New Bedford. The company must still receive engineering approval and file program plans with the FCC.
Aug. 30
Suburban Broadcasting's application for a new daytime-only station on 1190 kHz in Framingham is designated for consolidated hearing with applications by Scenic City Broadcasting for a new limited-time station on 1200 kHz in Middletown, R.I.; by WLIB (1190 New York) to increase power to 10 kW and add night service; by WOWO (1190 Fort Wayne) to increase power to 50 kW-U DA-2; and by WIRE (1430 Indianapolis) for WOWO's facilities.
Aug. 30
Puritan Broadcast Service's application for a new daytime-only station on 900 kHz in Lynn and Asher Broadcasting Service's application for a new daytime-only station on 910 kHz in Quincy are designated for consolidated hearing with an application by Nashua Broadcasting Corp. for 900 kHz in Nashua, N.H.
Sept.
WCOP (1150 Boston) begins broadcasting full-time from its new studios in the New England Mutual Insurance building in the Back Bay, several weeks before scheduled completion of the facilities.
Sept. 4
At a hearing in Washington, the FCC considers three competing applications for new AM stations on 1400 kHz—one in Fall River and two in New Bedford.
Sept. 10
Lawrence Broadcasting Co. applies for a new daytime-only AM station at Lawrence, to be on 800 kHz with 1 kW. (Accepted for filing on Sept. 19.)
Sept. 13
Fall River Broadcasting Co. (WSAR) receives a construction permit for a new class-B FM station, to be on 96.5 MHz, with the standard facilities of 20 kW ERP and 500 feet above average terrain. Also, North Shore Broadcasting Co. (WESX) receives engineering approval for its new FM station on 105.5 MHz, with 500 watts at 124 feet (presumably the top of the WESX tower in Marblehead), and likewise Cur-Nan Co. for its new 105.1 in Brockton, 800 watts at 270 feet.
Oct.
The Foreign Language Broadcasting Association of America is founded in Boston. The initial membership comprises eight announcers from WESX (1230 Salem), presenters of Arabic, Polish, Italian, Yiddish, Greek, and Portuguese language programs.
Oct. 4
Raytheon withdraws its application for a Boston FM station.
Oct. 8
Northeast Radio Inc., applies for a new daytime-only AM station in Lawrence, to be on 1210 kHz, with 1 kW, DA-D.
Oct. 11
The FCC grants a modification of WNEB's construction permit, specifying a studio and transmitter location of 507 Main Street, Worcester, across from City Hall (and just a block from WTAG's studios in the Telegram & Gazette building).
Oct. 21
The FCC dismisses applications of Fidelity Broadcasting (Boston Herald-Traveler) and Raytheon for new Boston FM stations, on the companies' own requests.
Oct. 22
Pilgrim Broadcasting Co. applies for a new AM station having the same facilities as WORL (950 Boston).
Oct. 28
Puritan Broadcast Service's application for 900 kHz in Lynn is amended to specify 1360 kHz instead, still as a 250-watt daytimer.
Nov. 12
The FCC holds a hearing on Suburban Broadcasting's application for 1190 kHz daytime in Framingham, which is mutually exclusive with an application by WLIB (1190 New York) to increase power.
Nov. 18
Broadcasting reports that CBS is in negotiations to sell WEEI to the Yankee Network, as CBS appeals FCC denial of its purchase of KQW (1010 San Jose) for ownership concentration concerns. CBS hoped that the sale of one of its smaller stations would make it easier for the FCC to reconsider.
Nov. 21
The FCC grants Suburban Broadcasting Co.'s application for a 1-kW daytimer on 1190 kHz in Framingham. The company is owned in equal shares by Richard Adams, James Shoemaker, and Albert Anderson; Adams is president and majority owner of Wellesley Soap and Chemical Company.
Nov. 20
WBMS (1090 Boston) files for a license to cover, specifying a studio location of 35 Court St. in downtown Boston. The station formally starts operation Nov. 24 with a live talk by BSO conductor Serge Koussevitzky, and the FCC grants the license in February, 1947.
Dec. 23
WHOB (1340 Gardner) on the air.

1947

A flood of new stations takes to the air, as the FCC grants hundreds of new applications; more than 300 applications remain pending as the year begins. New construction permits include WBMS-FM (104.1 Boston), WLLH-FM (99.5 Lowell), and WLAW-FM (93.7 Lawrence); WBZ-FM also moves from its initial upper-band assignment, 100.7, to 92.9 MHz.

Apr. 21
WKOX started on 1190 kHz.
Aug. 6
WCCM started on 800 kHz.
Sept. 12
WJDA started on 1300 kHz.
Dec. 11
WLYN started on 1360 kHz.

1948

The FCC continues to work on its backlog, with many more stations taking to the air. Among the new stations is WCOP-FM (100.7 Boston). It's the end of the line, however, for low-band (42–50 MHz) FM broadcasting, however, as the transitional period ends on December 31.

Jan. 20
Templetone files to transfer WBMS (1090) to WBMS, Inc., a subsidiary of the Friendly Group.
Jan. 30
WCRB started on 1330 kHz.
Apr.
WTAO started on 740 kHz.
May
WBMS-FM (104.1) is on the air with 3 kW, simulcasting WBMS until sunset followed by more classical music programs until midnight.
June 8
WBZ-TV started on channel 4, from new studios at 1170 Soldiers Field Road.
June 9
The FCC approves the sale of WBMS to Friendly Group (effective July 2).
June 12
WVOM started on 1600 kHz.
June 21
WNAC-TV started on channel 7.

1949

Although the economy in general and radio in particular are doing quite well, many FM stations are in the red with no end in sight. The relocation of the FM band rendered most of the existing receiver base obsolete, and with many new AM stations taking to the air, there is little incentive for consumers to purchase expensive new FM tuners. As a result, new FM stations nationwide—some even licensed to deep-pocketed owners—begin to go off the air. WBMS-FM (104.1) appears to have lasted into the first half of 1950.

The “Mayflower Decision”, prohibiting stations from editorializing, is reversed after a court challenge.

May 30
WORL goes dark at 8 PM, leaing 32 employees out of work.
Nov. 4
Pilgrim Broadcasting gains approval to take over WORL.
Nov. 14
WERS started on 88.1 MHz, becoming Boston's first non-commercial/educational station.
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