Annunciation Radio

Annunciation Radio is a regional network of five non-commercial radio stations in Ohio that feature a Catholic–based Christian format with programming from both EWTN Radio and Ave Maria Radio. The flagship station, WNOC (89.7 FM), is licensed to Bowling Green, Ohio, and serves both Bowling Green and the Toledo metropolitan area, both part of the Diocese of Toledo. WNOC's broadcast reach is extended into Northwest Ohio, Northeastern Indiana and the Ohio regions of Sandusky, Willard, Ashland and Mansfield through four full-power FM repeaters. The network also carries programming originating from WNOC's studios which are located in Toledo. In addition to standard analog transmission on all five stations, Annunciation Radio programming is available online.

History

Annunciation Radio began in 2006 as a venture by Toledo businessman and Deacon Michael Learned who, on February 3, 2008, launched a Sunday afternoon program on Toledo daytime talk station WTOD (). It was sold by Cumulus Media to CSN Radio in March 2010 (which is now WWYC). The program briefly moved to Cumulus-owned WLQR () until the new station signed on on August 14, 2010. The construction permit was at first held by MCCR Inc. (Ministry for Catholic Charismatic Renewal.) While the new station was in its construction permit phase, a temporary working studio and office was set up at 2679 Brookford Drive in Toledo and a tower erected on Sugar Ridge Rd. near Bowling Green which is shared with WPFX. It is the second Catholic station to make its debut in the summer of 2010, the other being WJTA "Holy Family Radio" licensed in Glandorf, Ohio and transmitting from Leipsic.

In June 2010, two months before the station began broadcasting, Tim Kusner joined the radio station's staff. He was responsible for obtaining underwriters and gradually moved into producing, announcing, traffic management, managing the station Facebook page, and co-hosting the Friday morning live program ''Annunciation Radio Presents''. WHRQ () in Sandusky made its on-air debut on Monday, April 25, 2011, as a WNOC simulcast. The station's construction permit was secured in 2009 by the Port Clinton Knights of Columbus Home Association. Annunciation Radio's webstream also launched on August 26, 2010.

In May 2013 Annunciation Radio opened a permanent main studio and office located at 3662 Rugby Drive in south Toledo. In July 2013, it purchased Lexington station WFOT (), serving the Mansfield area, from St. Gabriel Radio based in Columbus. The transition of WFOT programming from St. Gabriel Radio to Annunciation Radio took place at 3:00 p.m. local time on Thursday, July 11, 2013. WFOT has been on the air since 2007.

In September 2013, Annunciation Radio purchased the construction permit of WSHB () in Willard from the Mansfield Christian School, which owns WVMC in Mansfield. Approval of the sale was granted by the Federal Communications Commission on December 23, 2013. WSHB took to the air on Christmas Day, December 25, 2013.

Network stations

The following stations comprise the Annunciation Radio network, with WNOC as the flagship:

Former affiliate

* WLBJ-LP () Fostoria owned by the Christopher Center Corporation (as "Christ The Shepherd Radio").

See also

Toledo Blade story of WNOC sign-on (August 21, 2010)


* ttp://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090530/NEWS10/905300385 Toledo Blade story of Annunciation Radio's fundraiser and planned launch. (May 30, 2009)
Promotional flyer of New York Times author Raymond Arroyo's appearance at WNOC's launch.(in PDF format)

References

External links

*

{{Religious Radio Stations in Ohio

Catholic radio stations
Wood County, Ohio
Radio stations established in 2010
2010 establishments in Ohio
Christian radio stations in Ohio