WMOA AM 1490

Beginning operations in September 1946 as an experimental station from a garage facility, this Class C AM station established itself as a regional broadcaster serving the mid-Ohio Valley region across southeastern Ohio and northwestern West Virginia. Initial studio operations were housed in the basement of a historic downtown hotel before subsequent relocations to banking facilities and then to permanent studios on Lancaster Street. The station broadcasts at 1,000 watts and covers a multi-state area centered around two major regional cities. Programming emphasizes local interest content with adult contemporary music and news updates sourced from a national network. The station maintains sports broadcasting affiliations covering both professional teams from multiple cities and local collegiate athletics, particularly from a nearby private liberal arts institution. Sporting events include professional baseball, football, and basketball coverage alongside university and high school sports programming. The station has maintained consistent call letters since receiving its FCC license and has remained locally owned and operated throughout its operational history. An FM translator extends the station's reach to listeners preferring the frequency modulation band. The station serves a critical role during emergency situations, providing weather alerts and river condition updates relevant to the region's geography.