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As World War II drew to a close, radio was a well-established medium, providing music, drama, news and family entertainment. It was part of America - and the American home - as people gathered around their "sets" to be alerted, informed and entertained.
In Memphis, WREC Radio already was well known and recognized as a major factor in the local radio industry. With its popular shows and personalities, it had a devoted listening audience of thousands. Its studios, located in the Hotel Peabody (as it was known then), were sites of Mid-South activity, and its broadcasts were part of Memphis entertainment.
WREC Radio had seen remarkable growth in the years since it began as FNG, a small Coldwater, Mississippi, station in 1922. Its founder was Hoyt Wooten, an electrical engineer whose dream was to build a radio station in the Memphis area. Wooten's determination, and family support, helped propel WREC radio to its success, and by the end of the first half of the century, WREC was a household name and a part of Memphis life.
What few people knew, or recognized at that time though, was the potential impact of television. Remaining a kind of science-fiction fantasy in this country until after World War II, television had not begun to take the place of radio in American homes. But as early as 1928 Wooten had applied for - and received from the Federal Radio Commission - one of the first six television station construction permits granted in the United States. Like others in the communications industry he could foresee the tremendous effect this exciting new medium would have on this society, and he applied early to secure a place for his channel here in the Mid-South.
AFTER THE WAR
The end of World War II came about, and the concept of television came into full being. Television stations were being started all across the country and Americans were excited about having "sight" added to the sounds they loved so dearly. In September 1948, the federal government imposed a "freeze" on the allocation of channels throughout the nation. In April 1952, after that freeze was lifted, WREC applied for VHF Channel 3 in Memphis. Three years later, after a lengthy license application procedure before the Federal Communications Commission, Wooten and WREC were granted the right to operate a television station. Seven months later, on December 31, 1955 - a day ahead of the station's formal beginning - WREC-TV went on the air with the Gator Bowl. Full local and CBS network service began the next day, Sunday January 1, 1956. WREC-TV had begun operations as a CBS affiliate. (Channels 5 and 13 had begun on-air operations.)
The television station, as the radio station had done for many years, operated out of the Hotel Peabody location. New staff members, technicians, news and production people were added, and the "new" Channel 3 enjoyed years of success. In 1962, Wooten sold his properties to Cowles Communication, Incorporated. In 1971, Cowles transferred WREC-TV to The New York Times Company. The change in the station's call letters, from WREC-TV to WREG-TV, came later as the radio and television operations finally severed their connections. WREG-TV is now housed in downtown Memphis along the banks of the Mississippi river. In May 2007, the station transferred ownership from The New York Times Company to Local TV LLC.
TIMELINE
1922 On September 22, KFNG begins broadcasting from S.D. Wooten Sr.'s home in Coldwater, Mississippi, on 10 watt battery powered transmitted under license issued to Hoyt B. Wooten for the first commercial radio station in the state.
1925 New Hotel Peabody opened in Memphis, with Wooten's Radio-Electric Company, retail radio shop, as one of first lobby tenants.
1926 In September, KFNG moves to Whitehaven and incorporates as WREC, increasing power to 200 watts on frequency of 600 kilocycles, sharing frequency with WOAN in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, established in 1921 as first commercial station in Tennessee. While most radio call letters have no real significance, WREC is the exception to the rule. Its call letters came from the name of the retail radio store in Hotel Peabody - Wooten's Radio-Electric Company (WREC.)
1928 On July 19, Hoyt Wooten granted permit, one of first six in the United States, to build and operate a closed-circuit experimental Composite V.T. television transmitter.
1929 April 23, WREC opens new $25,000 studios in basement of Hotel Peabody; increases power to 500, then 1,000 watts; buys out WOAN, becoming WREC-WOAN until permission a year later to drop WOAN call letters. Becomes basic affiliate of CBS on October 15.
1935 Construction begins on new transmitter at Payne Avenue and Hindman Ferry Road.
1936 New transmitter with twin 420-foot towers dedicated on April 26; power increased in June to 5,000 watts daytime and 1,000 watts at night.
1937 From January 24 to February 13, WREC cancels all regular programming to remain on air constantly with flood reports and flood relief messages. The station's core purpose has always been "On Your Side," serving as an advocate for the people of Memphis.
1940 Remodeled and enlarged $60,000 studios dedicated in Hotel Peabody in November.
1941 On August 28, power increased to 5,000 watts night as well as day.
1952 WREC applies for TV Channel 3, so does Plough's WMPS. In his application, Wooten mentioned that his proposed TV studios would be in the "magnificent" Hotel Peabody.
In Memphis, WREC Radio already was well known and recognized as a major factor in the local radio industry. With its popular shows and personalities, it had a devoted listening audience of thousands. Its studios, located in the Hotel Peabody (as it was known then), were sites of Mid-South activity, and its broadcasts were part of Memphis entertainment.
WREC Radio had seen remarkable growth in the years since it began as FNG, a small Coldwater, Mississippi, station in 1922. Its founder was Hoyt Wooten, an electrical engineer whose dream was to build a radio station in the Memphis area. Wooten's determination, and family support, helped propel WREC radio to its success, and by the end of the first half of the century, WREC was a household name and a part of Memphis life.
What few people knew, or recognized at that time though, was the potential impact of television. Remaining a kind of science-fiction fantasy in this country until after World War II, television had not begun to take the place of radio in American homes. But as early as 1928 Wooten had applied for - and received from the Federal Radio Commission - one of the first six television station construction permits granted in the United States. Like others in the communications industry he could foresee the tremendous effect this exciting new medium would have on this society, and he applied early to secure a place for his channel here in the Mid-South.
AFTER THE WAR
The end of World War II came about, and the concept of television came into full being. Television stations were being started all across the country and Americans were excited about having "sight" added to the sounds they loved so dearly. In September 1948, the federal government imposed a "freeze" on the allocation of channels throughout the nation. In April 1952, after that freeze was lifted, WREC applied for VHF Channel 3 in Memphis. Three years later, after a lengthy license application procedure before the Federal Communications Commission, Wooten and WREC were granted the right to operate a television station. Seven months later, on December 31, 1955 - a day ahead of the station's formal beginning - WREC-TV went on the air with the Gator Bowl. Full local and CBS network service began the next day, Sunday January 1, 1956. WREC-TV had begun operations as a CBS affiliate. (Channels 5 and 13 had begun on-air operations.)
The television station, as the radio station had done for many years, operated out of the Hotel Peabody location. New staff members, technicians, news and production people were added, and the "new" Channel 3 enjoyed years of success. In 1962, Wooten sold his properties to Cowles Communication, Incorporated. In 1971, Cowles transferred WREC-TV to The New York Times Company. The change in the station's call letters, from WREC-TV to WREG-TV, came later as the radio and television operations finally severed their connections. WREG-TV is now housed in downtown Memphis along the banks of the Mississippi river. In May 2007, the station transferred ownership from The New York Times Company to Local TV LLC.
TIMELINE
1922 On September 22, KFNG begins broadcasting from S.D. Wooten Sr.'s home in Coldwater, Mississippi, on 10 watt battery powered transmitted under license issued to Hoyt B. Wooten for the first commercial radio station in the state.
1925 New Hotel Peabody opened in Memphis, with Wooten's Radio-Electric Company, retail radio shop, as one of first lobby tenants.
1926 In September, KFNG moves to Whitehaven and incorporates as WREC, increasing power to 200 watts on frequency of 600 kilocycles, sharing frequency with WOAN in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, established in 1921 as first commercial station in Tennessee. While most radio call letters have no real significance, WREC is the exception to the rule. Its call letters came from the name of the retail radio store in Hotel Peabody - Wooten's Radio-Electric Company (WREC.)
1928 On July 19, Hoyt Wooten granted permit, one of first six in the United States, to build and operate a closed-circuit experimental Composite V.T. television transmitter.
1929 April 23, WREC opens new $25,000 studios in basement of Hotel Peabody; increases power to 500, then 1,000 watts; buys out WOAN, becoming WREC-WOAN until permission a year later to drop WOAN call letters. Becomes basic affiliate of CBS on October 15.
1935 Construction begins on new transmitter at Payne Avenue and Hindman Ferry Road.
1936 New transmitter with twin 420-foot towers dedicated on April 26; power increased in June to 5,000 watts daytime and 1,000 watts at night.
1937 From January 24 to February 13, WREC cancels all regular programming to remain on air constantly with flood reports and flood relief messages. The station's core purpose has always been "On Your Side," serving as an advocate for the people of Memphis.
1940 Remodeled and enlarged $60,000 studios dedicated in Hotel Peabody in November.
1941 On August 28, power increased to 5,000 watts night as well as day.
1952 WREC applies for TV Channel 3, so does Plough's WMPS. In his application, Wooten mentioned that his proposed TV studios would be in the "magnificent" Hotel Peabody.
