KDKA, a station that proudly calls itself the "Pioneer Broadcasting Station of the World," has undergone numerous transformations in its programming and format over the decades. From its early days of shared frequencies and experimental broadcasts to becoming a dominant news/talk presence, KDKA's history mirrors the broader evolution of radio in the United States. This journey through the 20th century showcases the station's adaptability and its continuous
effort to serve its audience in western Pennsylvania and beyond, reflecting changing listener preferences and technological advancements.
The Formative Years and Early Programming
While KDKA's initial license in 1920 was for point-to-point service, the notation "360 meters for general broadcasting" was added in November 1921, signaling its shift towards public programming. In its earliest years, KDKA had to share its assigned frequency with other regional broadcasters until May 1923, when it secured exclusive use of 920 kHz. This exclusivity allowed for more consistent programming. By the 1930s and 1940s, KDKA had established a diverse program lineup. It featured the long-running "Uncle Ed Shaughency show" from 1932 to 1980 and played popular big band and jazz music every morning. The "KDKA Farm Hour" was another staple, evolving from 1941 to 1959 to include farm reports alongside music by Slim Bryant and his Wildcats, who became a top local country music act. Special programming also included live coverage of significant local events, such as the 1936 St. Patrick's Day flood.During this period, KDKA also experienced affiliation changes and technical upgrades. In 1932, Westinghouse divested its ownership in RCA and NBC due to antitrust proceedings. By 1941, KDKA's clear channel assignment shifted from 980 to 1020 kHz under the North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement. In 1943, KDKA swapped affiliations with KQV to join the NBC-Red network. The station also gained a sister FM station, W75P (later KDKA-FM), in 1942, further expanding its reach. Live coverage of political inaugurations, such as David L. Lawrence as Pittsburgh Mayor in 1946, demonstrated its commitment to news, while musical and comedy acts like "Buzz & Bill" entertained audiences.
The Adult Contemporary Era and the Rise of Talk Radio
The early 1970s marked a significant shift for KDKA as it adopted an adult contemporary format. This included a mix of 1960s rock and roll hits and soft rock from artists like America, The Carpenters, The Doobie Brothers, Paul Simon, and Neil Diamond. The morning show began to feature less music and an increased focus on news and commercial content. This decade also saw the expansion of talk radio programming. In 1973, KDKA revamped its "Party Line" timeslot, bringing in John Cigna from WJAS to host the nighttime talk program, known for his bombastic style and urging listeners to "buy American!" Perry Marshall took over the overnight slot in 1974, creating the "Marshall's Office." By 1975, Roy Fox debuted as the 6 to 9 pm talk host, solidifying KDKA's identity as a full-service adult contemporary station.News coverage remained a priority, with Fred Honsberger joining in 1979, eventually hosting successful evening and afternoon drive talk shows. The station provided extensive coverage of the Three Mile Island nuclear accident in 1979, with Harrisburg newsman Mike Pintek reporting. Pintek later joined KDKA's news staff and became a popular talk host. The 1980s saw KDKA continue its information and news-intensive adult contemporary music format, playing four to six songs per hour during drive times and more during middays and weekends, while maintaining its talk format at night. The station's commitment to news was recognized with four Associated Press Joe Snyder awards for outstanding overall news service in Pennsylvania.
