An iconic news/talk brand will celebrate its centennial anniversary Tuesday. Atlanta’s WSB 95.5 first signed on the air on March 15, 1922.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the station was first launched as “The Voice of the South.” The station is currently owned by Cox Media and was first owned by The Atlanta Journal which eventually merged with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
WSB has earned more Peabody and Murrow awards than most people can count. Last year, the station was awarded the prestigious Marconi “Legendary Station of the Year.”
The start of World War II prompted WSB to begin playing more news including a show called “The War Mailbag,” which provided information about life in wartime.
The 1960s turned out to be a defining era for WSB. The station would purchase a helicopter to cover vehicle crashes. In 1966, WSB reporter Andy Still was assaulted during civil rights protests.
In 1970, WSB newsman Gordon Van Mol entered a burning house and rescued an elderly woman. By 1990, the station would drop music to focus on news/talk. By the 21st Century, Herman Cain joined the station as a talk show host but would leave WSB to run for president.
In 2010, the station added an FM simulcast on 95.5. The station’s strong weekday lineup featuring Eric Von Haessler, Erick Erickson, make WSB a ratings powerhouse.
WSB Radio is the oldest station in the Southeast and one of the oldest radio stations in the United States.
