50 Facts About WGR 550 AM

The Birth of WGR 550 AM

WGR 550 AM has a storied history that dates back to the early 20th century. Let's dive into its origins and early milestones.

1. First Commercial Radio Station in Western New York: WGR began operations on May 22, 1922, marking it as the first commercial radio station in Western New York.
2. Early Broadcasting: Initially known as 8XAD, it operated under the Federal Telephone & Telegraph Company.
3. Uninterrupted Commercial Service: On May 22, 1922, WGR officially signed on, offering uninterrupted commercial service to Western New York.
4. Inaugural Broadcast: The first broadcast featured Buffalo Mayor Francis X. Schwab, Rev. George Frederic Williams, and Albert L. Kinsey.
5. First Announcer and Operator: Edward D. O’Dea was Buffalo’s first announcer and operator of WGR.
6. Early Programming Issues: Early programming was sporadic due to transmitting issues, leading to a temporary shutdown by October 2, 1922.
7. Experimental Station: The experimental station 8XAD began limited broadcasting on a wavelength of 485 meters.
8. Studios and Transmitter Location: Located at 1738 Elmwood Avenue in North Buffalo, the studios and transmitting equipment were part of a sprawling complex.

Evolution and Ownership Changes

WGR has seen numerous changes in ownership and programming over the decades, shaping its identity.

9. Manufacturing Radio Sets: The plant manufactured radio sets and other communication equipment.
10. Ownership Changes: Initially owned by McCarthy Bros. & Ford, the station has undergone several ownership changes.
11. Pioneers in Radio Industry: Leo Fitzpatrick and I.R. Lounsberry, pioneers in the radio industry, were key figures in early station management.
12. Sale of Interests: Fitzpatrick and Lounsberry sold their interests in WGR in 1954.
13. Personality Lineup in 1954: The 1954 lineup included John “Old Bones” Lascelles, Billy Keaton, and Bob Glacy.
14. Myths and Legends: Some believe the WGR call letters were chosen to honor early investor George Rand.
15. Positioning as the “World’s Greatest Radio”: The station positioned itself as the “World’s Greatest Radio” in the 1950s.

Sports Broadcasting and Key Figures

WGR has been a pioneer in sports broadcasting, with notable personalities contributing to its success.

16. Sports Broadcasting Pioneer: Bill Mazer joined WGR in 1947 as a sportscaster and later became sports director.
17. Play-by-Play Man: Mazer served as the play-by-play announcer for major Buffalo sports teams.
18. Departure from Buffalo: Mazer left Buffalo for New York City in 1964.
19. Separation from WKBW: In 1946, WGR separated from WKBW to become a standalone station.
20. Ownership and Management: New ownership and management submitted a $750,000 bid to purchase the station.
21. Bernie Sandler’s Career: Bernie Sandler became a Buffalo broadcasting staple, working at various Western New York stations.
22. Programming Evolution: WGR evolved from a general entertainment station to a sports-focused station.

Modern Era and Current Programming

Today, WGR 550 AM is a leading sports radio station with a robust lineup and strong community presence.

23. Current Ownership: Owned by Audacy, Inc., WGR’s studios are located in Amherst, with the transmitter site in Hamburg.
24. Relay and Online Availability: WGR is relayed by WKSE’s fourth HD subchannel and available online via Audacy.
25. Sports Format: The station targets men aged 25 to 54 with a sports format.
26. Morning Drive Show: Jeremy White hosts the morning drive show.
27. Middays Programming: Middays feature Sabres Live with Brian Duff and Martin Biron, and One Bills Live with Chris Brown and Steve Tasker.
28. Afternoons Programming: Afternoons are hosted by Mike Schopp and Chris "Bulldog" Parker.
29. CBS Sports Radio Programming: CBS Sports Radio airs in late-night, overnights, and on weekends.
30. Television Carriage: Sabres Live and One Bills Live are also carried on television through MSG Western New York.

Flagship Outlets and Announcers

WGR serves as the flagship outlet for several professional sports teams, featuring prominent announcers.

31. Flagship Outlets: WGR is the flagship outlet for the Buffalo Bills Radio Network, Sabres Hockey Network, and Buffalo Bandits.
32. Announcers: The station features announcers like John Murphy, Steve Tasker, Dan Dunleavy, and Rob Ray.
33. MSG Network Feed: The MSG Network uses this feed for game announcers.

News-Talk Era and Syndicated Hosts

Before becoming a sports radio station, WGR had a successful run as a news-talk station.

34. News-Talk Era: In the 1990s, WGR was a successful news/talk station, competing with WBEN AM 930.
35. Program Directors: Program Directors included Chuck Finney, Daryl Parks, and Jim Pastrick.
36. Local and National Hosts: The station featured hosts like Tom Bauerle, Chuck Dickerson, and John Otto.
37. Syndicated Talk Radio Hosts: Syndicated hosts like Leslie Marshall and J. R. Gach also worked at the station.
38. Jesse Ventura’s Candidacy: Jesse Ventura was once a candidate to host a show but lost out to Ron Dobson.

Transition to Sports-Talk

The station transitioned to a sports-talk format in 2000, aligning with its current identity.

39. ESPN Radio Affiliate: WGR was an ESPN Radio affiliate from 1992 to 2013.
40. Format Change in 2000: In February 2000, WGR changed formats from News-Talk to Sports-Talk.
41. Keymarket Communications and Sinclair Broadcast Group: Ownership changes included Keymarket Communications, River City Broadcasting, Sinclair Broadcast Group, and Entercom Communications.

Contributions of Key Figures

Key figures like Greg Bauch and Howard Simon have left a lasting impact on WGR.

42. Greg Bauch’s Contribution: Greg Bauch, known for his funny sound effects, worked at WGR for 15 years.
43. Bauch’s Departure: Bauch’s departure marked the end of an era for WGR.
44. Howard Simon’s Retirement: Howard Simon, a beloved sports talk host, retired in March 2023.
45. Simon’s Impact: Simon provided advice and support to his colleagues, making him a beloved figure.
46. Simon’s Career Highlights: Simon worked with Empire Sports and was known for his level-headed approach.

Current Programming Lineup

WGR’s current programming lineup continues to attract sports fans in Buffalo.

47. Current Programming Lineup: The lineup includes Jeremy White, Sal Capaccio, Joe DiBiase, Brian Duff, Martin Biron, Chris Brown, Steve Tasker, Mike Schopp, Chris "Bulldog" Parker, and Zach Jones.
48. CBS Sports Radio Integration: CBS Sports Radio airs in late-night, overnights, and on weekends.

Historical Milestones

WGR has celebrated several historical milestones, cementing its legacy in Buffalo.

49. Historical Milestones: WGR turned 100 years old in 2022.
50. Legacy in Buffalo Sports Radio: WGR remains a vital part of Buffalo's sports broadcasting scene.

WGR 550 AM: A Century of Broadcasting Excellence

WGR 550 AM has been a cornerstone of Buffalo's media landscape for nearly a century. From its early days as the first commercial radio station in Western New York to its current role as a leading sports radio station, WGR has continually evolved to meet the needs of its listeners. Key figures like Greg Bauch and Howard Simon have left lasting impacts, shaping the station's culture and programming. Today, WGR remains a vital part of Buffalo's sports community, offering comprehensive coverage of local teams and engaging talk shows. Owned by Audacy, Inc., the station continues to innovate, maintaining high Nielsen Ratings and a loyal audience. As WGR celebrates its 100th anniversary, it stands as a testament to the enduring power of radio and its ability to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing media landscape.