WPRD-AM 1440                                          "The Imagination Station"
Winter Park

Original Call Letters: WABR  

Originally Licensed: Sep 1954 

Original City of License: Winter Park 

Original Frequency: 1440 

Origin of Call Letters: 

Original Power: 5,000 watts-Daytime

Original Location: 222 Hazard St., Orlando 

Original Format: Children


Network Affiliation(s):


ABC 

Mutual Broadcasting System 
CNN

Owner(s):
1954-Orange County Broadcasting
1959-Contemporary Broadcasting Co.
1966-Norfolk Broadcasting Corp.
1971-Rounsaville Of Tampa, Inc. (Co-owned with WBJW-FM 105.1)
1977-WSEC, Inc.
1982-Nationwide Communications  (Purchase price for WBJW-FM 105.1 and WLOF-AM 950, $6.5 million)
1986-Alleluia Broadcasting Corp  
1987-Metroplex Communications of Orlando Inc.
1993-Paxson Communications ($5.6 million with WMGF-FM 107.7)
1994-J & V Communications, Inc.($300,000)

History Of Call Letters and Formats:
WABR-1954-Country 
WBJW-1971-Oldies/Lite Rock "The Entertainer"
WBJW-1975-Easy Listening
WNBE-1976-NBC 24 Hour News
WAJL-1987-Christian Ministry (Station sold. WAJL moves to 1190)
WPRD-1987-Classics of the '40s, '50s and '60s  "Pride-1440"
WAJL-1987-Religion
WPRD-1990-Children "The Imagination Station"  (Kids' Choice Broadcasting Network)
WPRD-1991-CNN Headline News
WWZN-1993-Talk
WWZN-1993-Sports
WPRD-1994-Talk
WPRD-1995-Spanish


WPRD ''The Imagination Station'' History

1990-Kids' Choice Broadcasting Network, an Orlando-based radio format geared to children under 12, hit the local airwaves
in March. Investors raising an estimated $3 million to $4 million to launch the 24-hour satellite-delivered network hope to have 100 subscriber stations in the nation's top 20 markets. The staff of 10 personalities will play music, tell jokes and stories, preside over sing-alongs and present the news. The Kids' Choice Network will feature original music by Peter Yarrow of the folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary. Among those serving on the network's advisory board are singers Judy Collins, Harry Belafonte and Pete Seeger, as well as actors Fred Rogers ("Mr. Rogers Neighborhood"), Marlo Thomas ("That Girl") and Mike Farrell ("M*A*S*H"). Scott Stover became production director after working for weeks with Peter Yarrow on preparations for the launch of the station.
1991-The Imagination Station Network signed off at 2 p.m., February 27, because it ran out of money. The Imagination Network, which began in March of 1990, was never able to expand beyond two affiliates: WPRD and a Salt Lake City radio station. The network was hoping to have 100 affiliates by the end of its first year of operation. Without affiliates it could not draw national advertising, and without advertising it had no money to approach affiliates.


WPRD ''The Imagination Station'' Personalities

Scott Stover-"Skatin' Scott" Biography

Sam Cooper-"Sam 'n' Eggs"-6 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Sunshine Suzy

Jammin’ Jo-Jo

Skipper Steve

Jungle John with Marty Monkey

Matt Gomez-"Mighty Matt"-1990-1991-Biography


Other Names In WPRD ''The Imagination Station'' History

Norman Wain-Kids' Choice president 

Katherine ''Tish'' Henslee-Vice president of programming

Barbara Peckett-General manager


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