WXNT

WXNT
Broadcast areaIndianapolis metropolitan area
Frequency1430 kHz
BrandingIndy's Sports Ticket 1430
Programming
FormatSports radio
AffiliationsInfinity Sports Network
Ownership
Owner
History
First air date
November 29, 1926; 97 years ago (1926-11-29)[1]
Former call signs
  • WKBF (1926–1935)
  • WIRE (1935–1989)
  • WXTZ (1989–1990)
  • WFXF (1990–1992)
  • WCKN (1992–1994)
  • WMYS (1994–2001)
Former frequencies
1400 kHz (1926–1941)
Call sign meaning
X (Crossroads of America) News/Talk (previous format)
Technical information[2]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID47145
ClassB
Power5,000 watts
Transmitter coordinates
39°50′18″N 86°11′55.1″W / 39.83833°N 86.198639°W / 39.83833; -86.198639
Repeater(s)99.5 WZPL-HD2 (Greenfield)
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen live
Websitewww.indysportsticket.com

WXNT (1430 AM) is a commercial radio station in Indianapolis, Indiana. The station is owned by Cumulus Media, and carries a sports radio format, as an affiliate of the Infinity Sports Network.[3][4] WXNT's schedule consists of Infinity Sports Network shows and live sporting events.

WXNT's studio is located on North Shadeland Avenue on the city's east side, along with sister stations 99.5 WZPL and 107.9 WNTR. The transmitter and antenna are located off Knollton Road at West 46th Street, on the northwest side of Indianapolis.[5] WXNT operates at 5,000 watts around the clock, using a non-directional antenna by day. But at night a directional antenna is required to protect other stations on AM 1430 from interference.[6]

History

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WXNT first signed on as WKBF in 1926 at 1400 kHz. Eleven years later, the station changed its call sign to WIRE, as announced by the Federal Communications Commission on March 16, 1935.[7] In 1941, the station moved to its current dial position at 1430 kHz, when the North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement or NARBA required many AM stations to change their frequencies.

The station was mentioned as officially opening its new studios on the show "Nightbeat" on October 27, 1950. For most of the 1960s, '70s and '80s, its programming consisted of country music, which proved an enormous ratings success. In 1970, WIRE's country format was number one in the Indianapolis radio market with a 25.6 Pulse rating share, also making it the highest-rated country station in the nation, according to a 1970 Billboard magazine article.[8] But over time, country music fans shifted their listening to FM radio.

When Mid America Radio flipped WXTZ (103.3 FM) from easy listening to adult contemporary in 1989, the format and call sign moved to AM.[9]

On November 28, 1990, the station became WFXF, which simulcast then-sister station WFXF-FM 103.3 and its classic rock format known as "103.3 The Fox." (Today that station is alternative rock/active rock WOLT). On May 18, 1992, the call sign for AM 1430 was changed to WCKN.

WXNT's logo as a news/talk station

On September 8, 1994, the station switched to a syndicated adult standards format known as "The Music of Your Life," using the call sign WMYS. The station also aired Indianapolis Ice hockey games. On October 22, 2001, the station changed its call sign to WXNT, with the NT standing for News/Talk, its new format. WXNT would broadcast Notre Dame Fighting Irish football and previously broadcast Butler University basketball.

WXNT's first logo as "CBS Sports 1430 AM"

On January 2, 2013, WXNT switched to all-sports, becoming a CBS Sports Radio Network affiliate.[10] The station continues to be the Indianapolis home for Notre Dame football.

On February 13, 2019, Cumulus Media and Entercom announced an agreement in which WXNT, WZPL, and WNTR would be swapped to Cumulus in exchange for WNSH (now WXBK) in New York City and WHLL and WMAS-FM in Springfield, Massachusetts. Under the terms of the deal, Cumulus began operating WXNT under a local marketing agreement on March 1, 2019.[11] The swap was completed on May 9, 2019.[12]

On November 30, 2023, WXNT rebranded as "Indy's Sports Ticket 1430".

References

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  1. ^ "The Indiana Radio Archive - Stations - WXNT". indianaradio.net. Archived from the original on May 20, 2016. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  2. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WXNT". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  3. ^ "WXNT Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  4. ^ "WXNT Station Information Profile". Arbitron. Archived from the original on May 20, 2011.
  5. ^ "WXNT-AM Radio Station Coverage Map". radio-locator.com. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  6. ^ "WXNT-AM 1430 kHz - Indianapolis, IN". radio-locator.com. Archived from the original on September 15, 2012. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  7. ^ "WKBF Now WIRE" (PDF). Broadcasting. April 1, 1935. Retrieved October 19, 2014.
  8. ^ "WIRE Top Country Radio," Billboard magazine, August 29, 1970, p. 25
  9. ^ Hall, Steve (September 7, 1989). "Changes are big surprise". Indianapolis Star. p. B-7. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
  10. ^ "WXNT Indianapolis Joins CBS Sports Radio". December 21, 2012. Archived from the original on January 3, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2012.
  11. ^ "Cumulus Sells Six To EMF & Swaps With Entercom In New York & Indianapolis". RadioInsight. February 13, 2019. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  12. ^ "Cumulus, Entercom Close Six-Station Swap". Inside Radio. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
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