iHeartMedia Albany’s News Radio 810 and 103.1 WGY will celebrate the station’s 100th anniversary on Feb. 20.
WGY was founded by General Electric in 1922. Dame Media sold the station to Clear Channel, now iHeart, in 1999. “The Capital Region’s Breaking News, Traffic and Weather Station” will mark the occasion with a special broadcast and new podcast series.
According to a “list of firsts” on the station’s website, WGY was the first station in the state of New York; gave the first presentation of a radio drama in August 1922; was the first to broadcast at 50,000 watts (and at various times used two to four times that); aired the first World Series coverage, with WJZ; and made the first use of a condenser microphone.
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Anniversary events kick off Feb. 20 with a live celebration of the brand’s history beginning at 1 p.m. Hosts and news anchors, past and present, and other guests will be on hand. A retelling of the radio drama “The Wolf” will be presented live from the Kenmore Ballroom in Albany, N.Y., [preceded by a lecture from Chris Hunter from the Museum of Innovation and Science. Music by the Musicians of Ma’alwyck chamber music ensemble will also be featured.
WGY kicked off its centennial year with a new podcast series, “Wireless: 100 Years of WGY.” The podcast, which features candid interviews with many familiar WGY voices, launched Jan. 31. It is hosted by WGY News Anchor Mike Patrick with new episodes released weekly.
Program Director Jeff Wolf was quoted in the announcement saying that leading the station into its next 100 years was an honor. “We’re looking forward to highlighting our first 100 years and commemorating important events in history throughout 2022.”
John Cooper, senior vice president of programming for iHeartMedia Albany, said WGY has had an impact on his life since the early 1960s. The anniversary of service to the community is an “amazing milestone,” he said.
“WGY became a trusted source of information that helped me begin and develop my business career,” said Howard Greiner, Area President for iHeartMedia Albany. “It is very meaningful to be a part of this celebration with great people, past and present, at WGY.”
For more information about the weekly podcast and the event at the Kenmore, visit the station’s website.
