WINY AM 1350

A heritage AM radio station that first signed on the air on May 3, 1953, under the original call letters WPCT. The station was financed by three French Canadian businessmen from Central Falls, Rhode Island, and initially managed by Daniel Hyland. In September 1960, when ownership passed to the Herbert C. Rice family and the Winny Broadcasting Company, the call letters were changed to WINY, a name derived from the station's mascot "Winny, The Community Gal," a counterpart to the mascot at sister station WILI in Willimantic. Under the Rice family, the two stations were consolidated under the Nutmeg Broadcasting Company, which ultimately operated five Connecticut radio properties, including WNTY in Southington and WLIS in Old Saybrook. WINY changed ownership in 1990 to the Gerardi Broadcasting Corporation and again in 2001 to the current owners, Gary and Karen Osbrey through the Osbrey Broadcasting Company. The station broadcasts a full-service adult contemporary format at 5,000 watts non-directional during daylight hours, reducing to 79 watts after dark to avoid interference with other stations on the 1350 AM frequency. Programming is also simulcast on FM translator W271DN at 97.1 MHz. WINY holds affiliations with the Boston Red Sox Radio Network, the New England Patriots Radio Network, and the Motor Racing Network, and presents itself as a community-oriented broadcaster emphasizing local events and public service.