Original Call Letters: WORZ

Originally Licensed: Feb 8, 1947 

Original City of License: Orlando 

Original Frequency: 740 

Origin of Call Letters: 

Original Power: 1,000 watts 

Original Location: 790 N Orange Ave

Original Format: Variety                                                                                                                                                                                      Original Studio 790 N Orange Ave   

History of WORZ

Orlando’s third-ever radio station, WORZ took to the air on Feb. 8, 1947, with 1,000 watts of power as an NBC affiliate at 740 on the AM dial. Offices and studios were at 790 N. Orange Ave. The transmitter tower was placed out on Old Winter Garden Road. In 1953, the building's studios served as the launchpad for a ground-breaking program called "Talent Toppers" . Sponsored by the Orlando Negro Chamber of Commerce , this weekly broadcast was Orlando's first Black radio show, giving local African American youth a platform to showcase their musical talents.  

 

This building on Winter Garden Road was built to house WORZ-AM 740, WORZ-FM 100.3 as well as  a planned TV studio as WORZ was granted a license to transmit on channel 9. Seems they ran out of money and channel 9 became WLOF TV.  The area in the back of the station which housed the Sales dept. was to be the TV studio. 
                                                                                                            click photo for full sized view
                                                                                               Thanks to Jeff D'Aurora for the photo 

WORZ Wins Decision In Bid For Orlando Television Channel 
WASHINGTON. Aug. 10 UPI
A Federal Communications Commission examiner today recommended WORZ. Inc., be authorized to operate a channel 9 television station at Orlando, Fla. Examiner Basil P. Cooper pro posed that a competing application of Mid-Florida Television Corp. be denied. The owners of WORZ. Inc headed by Mrs. Naomi T. Murrell operate radio stations WORZ AM-FM in Orlando and WNTM at Vero Beach. Fla. Mid-Florida Television, whose owners operate Orlando radio station WLOF, is headed by Joseph L. Brechner, general manager of radio station WGAY, Silver Spring, Md., and includes a number of other stockholders in the Washington. D. C, area. The examiner's findings are subject to protest within 40 days. In the absence of objection, his recommendations would become final after that time.

Stephen Wesley-1947-Program Director/News Director-Central Florida Broadcasting Co.

James Dandelake-1946-President-Central Florida Broadcasting Co.

Paul Parker-1946-Program Director-Central Florida Broadcasting Co.

Bette Stein-1946-Promotions Manager-Central Florida Broadcasting Co.

H. B. Greene-Chief Engineer-Central Florida Broadcasting Co.

Naomi T. Murrell-1947-Presdident/General Manager-Central Florida Broadcasting Co.

W. O. Murrell Jr.-1947-Commercial Manager & Promotions Manager/1948-Station Manager/1950-Secretary/Treasurer-Central Florida Broadcasting Co./1951-President-Central Florida Broadcasting Co.-Central Florida Broadcasting Co.

Thurs Jan. 8, 1948 Orlando Evening Star