:WKNR

What is today known as WKNR launched at midnight on December 31, 1926, from the Southern Hotel in Mansfield, Ohio, under the WLBV call sign.{{Cite news|date=December 31, 1926|title=Mansfield's First Radio Station On Air: Broadcasting from Station WLBV starts at 12 Tonight|page=1|work=The Mansfield News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85220690/mansfields-first-radio-station-on-air/|access-date=September 12, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Founded by John F. Weimer{{Cite news|date=November 3, 1929|title=Head Of WJW Has Enjoyed Much Experience In Radio|page=32|work=The Mansfield News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85195806/head-of-wjw-has-enjoyed-much-experience/|access-date=September 12, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} and D.A. Snick, WLBV was the first radio station to operate in Mansfield, transmitting with {{val|50|fmt=commas|u=watts}} at {{Frequency|1300|kHz}}.{{r|News261231}} Weimer had been fascinated with electronics since the age of 7 when growing up in Tuscarawas County,{{Cite news|last=Palmer|first=Karen|date=September 30, 1984|title=Mr. Radio|pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85554652/mr-radio/ 8H]–9H|work=Mansfield News Journal|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85554713/mr-radio-p2/|access-date=September 26, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} and after his family moved to Mansfield, established his first wireless station in 1911 and progressed to aural transmissions by 1913.{{r|News291103}} Helping run a family butcher shop after his father's death,{{r|News840930}} Weimer ceasing operations of those stations during World War I, but resumed hobbyist work after the war.{{r|News291103}} The Southern Hotel studios were temporary, by March 1, 1927, WLBV relocated to the nearby Chamber of Commerce building.{{Cite news|date=November 3, 1929|title=Here's Data on Radio Station|page=2|work=The Mansfield News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86052310/heres-data-on-radio-station/|access-date=September 26, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} The station quickly progressed under Weimer's watch, which also saw a frequency shift to {{Frequency|1450|kHz}} on May 1, 1927.{{Cite web|url= https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=72771 |title= History Cards for WKNR|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}} (Guide to reading History Cards) Initially criticized for a "tin-pan" air sound, the fidelity improved near the end of 1927 and earned the praise of Westinghouse Broadcasting executives as "an unusual station" for such a small city.{{Cite news|date=November 20, 1927|title=Radio station WLBV drawing wide comment|page=5|work=The Mansfield News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85217243/radio-station-wlbv-drawing-wide-comment/|access-date=September 12, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} One notable program on the station was presented with inmates of the Mansfield Reformatory, with armed guards surrounding the studios.{{r|News840930}}

WLBV briefly found itself in jeopardy after Weimer struggled to raise money to renew its audio performance rights license with the Composers, Authors and Publishers Association (today's ASCAP) at the end of March 1928, prompting the station to announce a forthcoming closedown,{{Cite news|date=March 28, 1928|title=Mansfield radio station may quit operating soon|page=18|work=The Mansfield News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85219118/mansfield-radio-station-may-quit/|access-date=September 12, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} but found enough financial support from area businesses to remain operational.{{Cite news|date=April 8, 1928|title=Slow response is made to appeal for funds to keep Mansfield radio station|page=3|work=The Mansfield News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85219405/slow-response-is-made-to-appeal-for/|access-date=September 12, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} The station initially operated without a chain broadcasting link, but was admitted into the Federated Broadcasting System upon that network's 1929 launch.{{Cite news|date=March 19, 1929|title=Station WLBV joins hook-up|page=16|work=The Mansfield News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85220193/station-wlbv-joins-hook-up/|access-date=September 12, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Listener reception for WLBV was overwhelmingly positive, with thousands of complementary letters by April 1928 and no complaints.{{Cite news|date=April 11, 1928|title=Owner of Mansfield Radio Station Compares It With Defunct Ashland Station|page=3|work=The Mansfield News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85220414/owner-of-mansfield-radio-station/|access-date=September 12, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} The station received phone calls from New York City, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. and Chicago, and one long-distance reception report as far west as Des Moines.{{r|News271120}} A secondary studio was also constructed at the Charles M. Zitzer music store by January 1929.{{r|News291103a}}

{{distinguish|WJW (AM)|text=Cleveland television station WJW}}

File:Richland Trust Building (cropped).jpg in downtown Mansfield, an early home for WJW]]

The Federal Radio Commission (FRC) General Order 40 saw WLBV reassigned again to {{Frequency|1210|kHz}} on November 11, 1928, with a power increase to {{val|100|fmt=commas|u=watts}} by December 14.{{r|WKNRHC}} In order to better identify with Mansfield, WLBV management applied for a call sign change request to WMO, which was granted by the FRC on May 14, 1929.{{Cite news|date=May 14, 1929|title=Radio station call letters here changed|page=16|work=The Mansfield News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85217617/radio-station-call-letters-here-changed/|access-date=September 12, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Two days later, the FRC abruptly changed the station's calls again to WJW after a clerical error by the agency failed to account for the WMO letters existing usage on another station,{{Cite news|date=May 15, 1929|title=Call letters WJW assigned station here|page=24|work=The Mansfield News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85204163/call-letters-wjw-assigned-station-here/|access-date=September 12, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} the rename to WJW was made retroactive to May 9.{{r|WKNRHC}} Despite the random selection by the FCC, the WJW calls also ended up reflecting John Weimer's initials.{{cite news|author=Dyer|first=Bob|date=August 7, 1988|title=Mystery of WJW Call Letters Solved: Grandfather's Initials Launched Station, Woman Says|page=B2|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85221063/mystery-of-wjw-call-letters-solved/|access-date=September 12, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}

Aided by income from sponsored programming,{{r|News840930}} WJW moved their facilities once again to the ninth floor of the Richland Trust Building{{Cite news|date=October 31, 1929|title=Largest Office Building In Mansfield Now Ready; Has Every New Facility|page=24|work=The Mansfield News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86055969/largest-office-building-in-mansfield/|access-date=September 26, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} when it was completed on November 2, 1929, one week after Black Monday occurred.{{Cite web|date=April 19, 2020|title=Landmarks of Mansfield: The Richland Trust Building|url=https://1812blockhouse.com/history-tourism/landmarks-of-mansfield-the-richland-trust-building/|access-date=September 26, 2021|website=1812Blockhouse|language=en}} Two large radio towers were erected on top of the building, visible for several miles and was thought to the highest point in Ohio for a transmitter; at the time of the move, WJW operated for one hour in late mornings and during the early evenings, but Weimer promised an expanded broadcast lineup.{{Cite news|date=July 17, 1929|title=To Move Local Radio Station|page=24|work=The Mansfield News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86054398/to-move-local-radio-station/|access-date=September 26, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}

John F. Weimer—d/b/a the Mansfield Broadcasting Association{{Cite news|date=September 8, 1932|title=Radio Station WJW May Move To Akron: Federal Commission In Favor Of Change|page=1|work=The Mansfield News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85234668/radio-station-wjw-may-move-to-akron/|access-date=September 13, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}—filed a request with the FRC on February 12, 1932, to relocate WJW to Akron maintaining the same frequency and power output.{{Cite news|date=February 14, 1932|title=Radio Station WJW May Move To Akron: Weimer Asks Federal Group For Permit|page=14|work=The Mansfield News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85234730/radio-station-wjw-may-move-to-akron/|access-date=September 14, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} In testimony before FRC examiner R. H. Hyde, the operators for both Zanesville's WALR and Columbus's WSEN supported the move as it would reduce interference for their stations, while Weimer promised to have multiple Akron civic organizations on WJW and emphasized the benefits of moving to a larger city (Akron's 1930 population was 300,000 compared to Mansfield's 30,000).{{Cite news|date=May 6, 1932|title=Officials Study Plan To Move Radio Station: Proposal To Take WJW To Akron In Hands Of Federal Body|page=16|work=The Mansfield News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85234853/officials-study-plan-to-move-radio/|access-date=September 13, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} WADC was Akron's lone radio station licensed to serve the city, and had been as such after WFJC was consolidated with a Springfield station to form WGAR on December 15, 1930, and moved out of Akron to sign on in Cleveland.{{Cite news|date=December 13, 1930|title=WFJC Bids Goodby To Local Radio Fans|page=18|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83348516/wfjc-bids-goodby-to-local-radio-fans/|access-date=August 13, 2021}} Examiner Hyde recommended denying the application, citing a lack of evidence to support another Akron radio station, but the FRC reversed his findings and gave full approval on September 8, 1930.{{r|News320908}}

After a "swan song" final broadcast from Mansfield on October 5, 1932,{{Cite news|date=September 29, 1932|title=WJW "Swan Song" On Air Wednesday|page=1|work=The Mansfield News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85332778/wjw-swan-song-on-air-wednesday/|access-date=September 14, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} WJW's transmitter was dismantled and transported to Akron for an October 15 sign-on; all on- and off-air personnel were retained.{{Cite news|date=October 6, 1932|title=Dismantling Of Station Started: WJW Transmitter To Be Moved To New Site In Akron|page=4|work=The Mansfield News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85330810/dismantling-of-station-started-wjw/|access-date=September 14, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} A Mansfield News piece on the station after the move noted Mansfield listeners were now unable to receive WJW due to interference from WSEN.{{Cite news|last=Nunmaker|first=Billy|date=January 10, 1933|title=Can You Imagine That!|page=3|work=The Mansfield News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85387160/can-you-imagine-that/|access-date=September 15, 2021 |via=Newspapers.com}} Note that WSEN is misidentified as "WSAM" in the article. Still broadcasting at {{Frequency|1210|kHz}} with {{val|100|fmt=commas|u=watts}}, WJW's transmitter and studios{{Cite news|date=September 26, 1932|title=Rush Work On WJW Quarters In Akron|page=8|work=The Mansfield News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85333796/rush-work-on-wjw-quarters-in-akron/|access-date=September 14, 2021}} were located at 41 South High Street in downtown Akron.{{r|News320214}}{{cite web|date=March 2005|title=Index of Historic QSL Cards and Letters: WJW - Cleveland, OH - 1210 - September 10, 1934|url=http://www.nrcdxas.org/qsl/0001/wjw0934.jpg|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061223143102/http://www.nrcdxas.org/qsl/0001/wjw0934.jpg|archive-date=December 23, 2006|access-date=January 1, 2007|work=NRCDXAS.org|publisher=National Radio Club|df=mdy-all}} Weimer incorporated WJW on January 31, 1933,{{r|WKNRHC}} becoming the station's president.{{r|News330110}} Among the stakeholders for WJW, Inc. were William F. Jones, who founded WADC in 1925{{Cite news|last=Schetter|first=Clyde E.|date=December 31, 1927|title=Akron Radio Prospects Are Good|page=16|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84057881/akron-radio-prospects-are-good/|access-date=August 24, 2021}} and owned WFJC from 1927{{Cite news|date=July 21, 1927|title=W. F. Jones buys radio station for removal to Akron|page=1|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84056874/w-f-jones-buys-radio-station-for/|access-date=August 24, 2021}} until 1930,{{Cite news|date=September 20, 1930|title=See Sale Of WFJC As Network Move|page=3|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83347009/see-sale-of-wfjc-as-network-move/|access-date=August 13, 2021}} while Weimer held a 20 percent stake.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eW4UKwwY1eoC&pg=PA196|title=Federal Communications Commission Reports: Decisions and Reports of the Federal Communications Commission of the United States: Volume 2, July 1, 1935 to June 30, 1936 |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office|year=1937|location=Washington, D.C.|pages=196–199}}{{rp|197}} Sam L. Townsend, a former manager for WFJC, also assumed the same position at WJW.{{Cite news|date=April 12, 1948|title=Our Respects To: Sam Willard Townsend|volume=34|pages=56, 60|work=Broadcasting-Telecasting|issue=15|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1948/1948-04-12-BC.pdf|access-date=August 22, 2021|via=World Radio History}}

Along with three associates, Weimer founded the "WMAN Broadcasting Company" in early 1935 and applied to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for a replacement station in Mansfield.{{Cite news|date=February 1, 1935|title=Grant Hearings: Second Firm Asks to Start Radio Station in City|page=10|work=The Mansfield News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85386544/grant-hearings-second-firm-asks-to/|access-date=September 15, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} During the hearings, Weimer disclosed that he held stock in WALR and a gold mine, and claimed to have no immediate cash on hand, having relied on family to provide the money for his investments.{{r|FCCFirstAppWMAN|p=197}} The FCC rejected the application on October 23, 1935, citing uncertainty with the group's financial viability{{Cite news|date=October 23, 1935|title=Turned Down: Application to Open Radio Station Here Denied.|page=1|work=The Mansfield News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85386933/turned-down-application-to-open-radio/|access-date=September 15, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} in addition to objections raised by Fort Wayne's WGL.{{Cite news|date=October 18, 1935|title=Opposes Plan for Proposed Mansfield Radio Station|pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85234626/opposes-plan-for-proposed-mansfield/ 28]|work=The Mansfield News|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85234594/opposes-plan-for-proposed-mansfield/|access-date=September 15, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}

Monetary issues revealed themselves again when WJW joined WADC in objecting to a 1937 application by S. Bernard Berk for a full-time high-fidelity radio station at {{Frequency|1530|kHz}}, claiming that Akron could not support more than two stations.{{Cite news|date=May 17, 1939|title=Postpone Hearing on Radio Station|page=21|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44187406/postpone_hearing_on_radio_station/|access-date=February 13, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} During the three-year-long legal fight with Berk, WJW's legal counsel stated in a 1939 hearing that the station operated at a loss since 1936, and the majority of any profits went directly to employee salaries.{{Cite news|last=Doran|first=Dorothy|date=October 27, 1939|title=Third Akron Station Depends Upon FCC: Attorneys Protest Reversed Opinion, Commission To Give Decision Soon|page=12|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44298620/third_akron_station_depends_upon_fcc/|access-date=February 13, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} A second attempt at a new Mansfield station did succeed when the FCC awarded a license for WMAN on June 7, 1939, with Weimer as secretary-treasurer{{Cite news|date=June 7, 1939|title=Radio Station Plan Approved|page=1|work=Mansfield News-Journal|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85388054/radio-station-plan-approved/|access-date=September 27, 2021}} and chief engineer.{{Cite news|date=July 18, 1942|title=Admits False Radio Reports|pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85237510/admits-false-radio-reports-p2/ 5]|work=Mansfield News-Journal|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85237461/admits-false-radio-reports/|access-date=September 27, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Prior to WMAN's sign-on, Weimer was involved in a July 5, 1939, vehicular collision that killed a 15-year-old pedestrian;{{Cite news|date=July 6, 1939|title=Hurled 25 Feet, Girl, 15, Killed|page=1|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85222408/hurled-25-feet-girl-15-killed/|access-date=September 27, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Weimer was ultimately ordered to pay $3,500 to the victim's estate.{{Cite news|date=April 18, 1940|title=Car Victim's Estate is Awarded $3,500|page=40|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85222168/car-victims-estate-is-awarded-3500/|access-date=September 27, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}

While WJW had operated as an independent for most of their early existence, the station finally obtained an affiliation with the Transcontinental Broadcasting System (TBS), which had a proposed launch date of January 1, 1940.{{Cite news|last=Doran|first=Dorothy|date=December 27, 1939|title=WJW Staff Prepares New Network Kickoff|page=12|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85388774/wjw-staff-prepares-new-network-kickoff/|access-date=October 27, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Despite WJW scheduling a local "salute" to TBS and having rearranged local shows to accommodate the new chain, TBS's launch was abruptly canceled with one hour's notice after their two largest sponsors "repudiated" all programming contracts.{{Cite news|last=Doran|first=Dorothy|date=January 1, 1940|title=Glenn Miller Greets Year With New Series|page=13|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85237943/glenn-miller-greets-year-with-new-series/|access-date=October 27, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} William M. O'Neil, Jr. purchased a majority of shares in WJW on June 25, 1940 for $41,500{{Cite news|date=July 1, 1940|title=Purchase of WJW by O'Neil Granted|id={{ProQuest|1014938458}}|volume=18|page=74|work=Broadcasting-Broadcast Advertisting|issue=13|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1940/1940-07-01-BC.pdf|access-date=December 9, 2019|via=World Radio History}} and assumed control on July 1. This transaction occurred after Weimer and Townsend divested their shares{{Cite news|date=May 1, 1940|title=Young O'Neil Buys Control of WJW|id={{ProQuest|1014931750}}|volume=18|page=38|work=Broadcasting-Broadcast Advertising|issue=9|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1940/1940-05-01-BC.pdf|access-date=September 15, 2021|via=World Radio History}} while Jones sold his shares directly to O'Neil, with one of the two other remaining shareholders being M. F. Rubin, who also held a stake in WMAN.{{Cite news|date=April 24, 1940|title=O'Neil's Purchase of WJW Approved|page=1|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85237876/oneils-purchase-of-wjw-approved/|access-date=September 16, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} O'Neil was the son of William F. O'Neil, president of Akron-based General Tire and Rubber Co.—which also entered broadcasting in 1943 with the purchase of a station group in New England—but operated WJW independently from the tire manufacturer.{{Cite news|date=January 11, 1943|title=John Shepard 3d Continues as Yankee General Manager|id={{ProQuest|1014963306}}|pages=16, 40–42|work=Broadcasting|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1943/1943-01-11-BC.pdf|access-date=December 9, 2019}}{{Cite news|date=August 30, 1943|title=WJW Akron Move Set For Hearing|volume=25|page=32|work=Broadcasting|issue=9|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1943/1943-08-30-BC.pdf|access-date=December 9, 2019|via=World Radio History}} Weimer was forced to divest his WMAN shares in 1942 after admitting on a witness stand to falsifying financial statements submitted to the FCC that helped secure that station's license.{{r|News420728}} Despite helping build and sign-on Canton's WCMW in 1946, Weimer never worked in broadcast radio again.{{r|News840930}}

One of William M. O'Neill's first moves as WJW's new owner was to link the station up with the Mutual Broadcasting System on September 22, 1940, bringing that network's programming to Akron for the first time.{{Cite news|last=Doran|first=Dorothy|date=September 12, 1940|title=WJW Joins Mutual Network This Month|page=10|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87878173/wjw-joins-mutual-network-this-month/|access-date=October 28, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Coupled with S. Bernard Berk signing on WAKR as an NBC Blue outlet the following month{{r|AkronB19400921}} and WADC's extant Columbia affiliation, WJW's Mutual link gave Akron three radio network affiliates at the end of 1940 after beginning the year with only one.{{r|AkronB19400912}} Of particular note was Mutual's array of live music and sports, including the World Series; Mutual's nightly dance music program extended WJW's broadcast day to 1 a.m. nightly.{{Cite news|last=Doran|first=Dorothy|date=September 21, 1940|title=Mutual Sends Variety, Sports, Highbrow Music|page=5|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87878291/mutual-sends-variety-sports-highbrow-m/|access-date=October 28, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Despite being an independent, WJW previously fed their coverage of the All-American Soap Box Derby nationally over Mutual in 1939 and 1940,{{r|AkronB19400912}} and did so again on August 16, 1941.{{Cite news|last=Doran|first=Dorothy|date=August 16, 1941|title=Microphones Set For Derby Downs Broadcast Sunday|page=7|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87862503/microphones-set-for-derby-downs-broadcas/|access-date=October 27, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} The station also helped celebrate Barberton's golden jubilee on June 29–30, 1941, by carrying much of the outdoor festivities live.{{Cite news|last=Doran|first=Dorothy|date=June 17, 1941|title=Barberton Jubilee Highlights Slated To Be Broadcast|page=12|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87862279/barberton-jubilee-highlights-slated-to-b/|access-date=October 27, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} WJW and the United States Navy originated a live remote broadcast from Goodyear's K-3 blimp during a flight over the region on September 11, 1941, relaying it over Mutual.{{Cite news|last=Doran|first=Dorothy|date=September 11, 1941|title=President's Talk Will Blanket Air Tonight At 9|page=17|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87864291/presidents-talk-will-blanket-air-tonigh/|access-date=October 27, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}

WJW changed its frequency on March 29, 1941, with implementation of the North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement (NARBA), moving to {{Frequency|1240|kHz}}{{r|WKNRHC}} while retaining {{val|250|fmt=commas|u=watt}} output.{{cite journal|author=|date=January 1942|title=White's Radio Log|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Whites/Whites%20Vol%2019%20No%201%201942%20Jan.pdf|journal=White's Radio Log|location=Bronxville, New York|publisher=C. DeWitt White Company|pages=6, 15|access-date=December 26, 2016}}{{Dead link|date=July 2018|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}} O'Neil filed paperwork in late August 1941 proposing that WJW move to {{Frequency|850|kHz}} with {{val|5000|fmt=commas|u=watts}} fulltime, while having to share nighttime skywave with Boston's WHDH and Denver's KOA.{{Cite news|last=Doran|first=Dorothy|date=January 22, 1942|title=FCC Grants WJW Increase In Power, Lower Frequency|page=13|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87898186/fcc-grants-wjw-increase-in-power-lower/|access-date=October 28, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} The FCC gave O'Neil the construction permit on January 21, 1942,{{r|AkronB194201222}} but construction of a new transmitter site in Botzum was delayed due to challenges procuring materials for construction and finding an engineer.{{Cite news|last=Doran|first=Dorothy|date=November 4, 1942|title=WJW Seeks Move Into Cleveland For Blue Chain|page=21|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87878630/wjw-seeks-move-into-cleveland-for-blue-c/|access-date=October 28, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Meanwhile, WHK's switch from NBC Blue to Mutual in the fall of 1942 left Cleveland without a Blue affiliate, prompting O'Neil to requesting an alteration to the construction permit allowing WJW's operations to move to Cleveland.{{Cite news|date=November 2, 1942|title=WJW, Akron, Seeks Move To Cleveland|volume=23|page=14|work=Broadcasting|issue=18|id={{ProQuest|1014962096}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1942/1942-11-02-BC.pdf|access-date=December 9, 2019|via=World Radio History}} The proposal centered on WJW becoming that market's new Blue station, with studios at the NBC Building that housed NBC-owned WTAM and a new transmitter site in Cuyahoga County.{{r|AkronB19421104}} The {{val|5000|fmt=commas|u=watt}} transmitter WJW had set up at Botzum but never activated was simply transported up to North Royalton.{{Cite news|last=Doran|first=Dorothy|date=June 23, 1943|title=Akron May Keep Three Stations|page=4|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87952054/akron-may-keep-three-stations/|access-date=October 28, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}

While the FCC approved the proposal on December 4, 1942,{{Cite news|date=December 5, 1942|title=Washington Okays WJW's Transfer|page=9|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87951368/washington-okays-wjws-transfer/|access-date=October 28, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} O'Neil requested another modification on June 23, 1943, for WJW to remain in Akron using the current facilities under a new licensee name "The Akron Broadcasting Company", concurrent with the new Cleveland station signing on.{{r|AkronB19430623}} Buckeye Broadcasting Co. would then purchase the {{Frequency|1240|kHz}} license, renamed WAJV,{{r|WJWMoveHearing}} with the WJW name affixed to the new {{Frequency|850|kHz}} facilities.{{Cite news|date=June 28, 1943|title=Cleveland Outlet Seeks WJW Call Use|id={{ProQuest|1014968188}}|volume=24|page=44|work=Broadcasting|issue=26|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1943/1943-06-28-BC.pdf|access-date=December 9, 2019|via=World Radio History}} This request was denied{{Cite news|date=December 13, 1943|title=Actions of the Federal Communications Commission: December 4 to December 10 Inclusive|volume=25|page=60|work=Broadcasting|issue=24|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1943/1943-12-13-BC.pdf|access-date=December 9, 2019|via=World Radio History}} after WGAR successfully petitioned for a frequency move of their own to {{Frequency|1220|kHz}}, in effect rendering WJW's {{Frequency|1240|kHz}} facilities unusable.{{Cite news|last=Doran|first=Dorothy|date=September 10, 1943|title=Ruling May Affect Local Outlet: WGAR On 1220 Wave Length Will Move Close To 1240 Akron Band|page=28|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84158189/ruling-may-affect-local-outlet-wgar-on/|access-date=October 28, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} WJW continued operating in Akron until the move to Cleveland at 2:30 p.m. on November 14, 1943, following a special celebratory program; an advance station schedule supplied by WJW to the Beacon Journal ended with, "SORRY GONE TO CLEVELAND."{{Cite news|last=Doran|first=Dorothy|date=November 10, 1943|title=Moving Day Set For WJW Staff|page=8|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87878546/moving-day-set-for-wjw-staff/|access-date=October 28, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} The first Blue program to air following the move was General Tire-sponsored Thanks to America,{{Cite news|last=Doran|first=Dorothy|date=November 14, 1943|title=Bob Hannon 'Tells All' For Fans|page=35|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87955600/bob-hannon-tells-all-for-fans/|access-date=October 28, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} with WJW becoming a primary Blue affiliate the following day.{{Cite news|date=November 15, 1943|title=WJW, Now Cleveland, With 5 kw, Joins Blue|volume=25|page=12|work=Broadcasting|id={{ProQuest|1014978679}}|issue=20|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1943/1943-11-15-BC.pdf|access-date=December 9, 2019|via=World Radio History}} The majority of staff moved up from Akron to Cleveland;{{r|AkronB19431110}} announcer Marvin Cade signed on the station and was the evening news announcer.{{cite news|last=Segall|first=Grant|date=June 1, 2010|title=R. Marvin Cade broadcast news on WJW-AM|publisher=The Plain Dealer|url=https://www.cleveland.com/obituaries/index.ssf/2010/06/r_marvin_cade_broadcast_news_o.html|access-date=July 18, 2018}} Competing station WGAR collaborated with WJW for a special broadcast on both stations the day of the move, WGAR also took out advertisements in Cleveland's three daily newspapers "welcoming" the station into Cleveland.{{Cite news|date=November 22, 1943|id={{ProQuest|1014976378}}|title=WGAR Welcomes WJW, the Akron station moving to Cleveland, in a special broadcast Nov. 13.|volume=25|page=16|work=Broadcasting|issue=21|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1943/1943-11-22-BC.pdf|access-date=December 9, 2019|via=World Radio History}}

With facilities in the Guardian Building (now the National City–East 6th Building at 619 Euclid), WJW became Cleveland's fifth radio station after co-owned WHK and WCLE, WTAM and WGAR; the number of stations would be reduced back to four in May 1945 when WCLE moved their station operations to Akron as WHKK.{{Cite web|url= https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=60422 |title= History Cards for WHLO|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}} (Guide to reading History Cards) To help recruit and develop on-air talent, O'Neil launched an agency in early 1945 dubbed "The WJW Bureau", with radio actor Gene Carroll as president.{{Cite news|last=Doran|first=Dorothy|date=January 12, 1945|title=Hildegarde's Program Rates High|page=26|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86565712/hildegardes-program-rates-high/|access-date=October 5, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} "Broadcast Melodies" was another subsidiary launched in 1946 to provide background music for area businesses to help boost morale and improve productivity,{{Cite news|date=November 9, 1946|title=Yeager's Add Wired Music|page=16|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86584319/yeagers-add-wired-music/|access-date=October 6, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} holding a local franchise for the World Broadcasting System's transcription library.{{Cite news|date=June 19, 1946|title=Wires Bring Made-To-Order Music Here|page=32|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86567084/wires-bring-made-to-order-music-here/|access-date=October 5, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} WJW also added broadcast rights to Cleveland Rams NFL football for the 1945 season; announced by Earl Harper, it was the last season played prior to the Rams' relocation to Los Angeles.{{Cite news|last=Offineer|first=Bee|date=July 4, 1945|title=Where Is Radio Baseball?|page=8|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86584353/where-is-radio-baseball/|access-date=October 6, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Harper was succeeded by Jimmy Dudley in late 1946 as the station's lead sportscaster.{{Cite news|last=Offineer|first=Bee|date=November 10, 1946|title=Television Grows Adult In 1946|page=23|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86592122/television-grows-adult-in-1946/|access-date=October 6, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}

The station began airing daily commentaries by Dorothy Fuldheim as part of their Newspaper of the Air program in June 1944.{{Cite news|date=June 5, 1944|title=Behind the Mike|volume=26|pages=44, 46, 48|work=Broadcasting-Broadcast Advertising|issue=23|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1944/1944-06-05-BC.pdf|access-date=October 7, 2021|via=World Radio History}} In addition, Fuldheim hosted Young America Thinks, a weekly public affairs program produced with the Cleveland Board of Education.{{Cite news|date=February 5, 1945|title="Young America Thinks" (ad)|volume=28|page=35|work=Broadcasting-Broadcast Advertising|issue=6|id={{ProQuest|1505639399}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1945/1945-02-05-BC.pdf|access-date=October 7, 2021|via=World Radio History}} WJW hired Fuldheim on her reputation as a public speaker{{Cite news|last=Bianculli|first=David|date=June 19, 1983|title=Dorothy|pages=4, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86680666/dorothy-p2/ 5], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86680704/dorothy-p3/ 6], [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86680773/dorothy-p4/ 7]|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal Beacon Magazine|publisher=Knight Ridder|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86680636/dorothy/|access-date=October 7, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} but her broadcast experience previously included programs over WTAM{{Cite news|last=Weir|first=James W. H.|date=December 12, 1929|title=DX Highlights|page=37|newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press|publisher=Scripps-Howard|location=Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86598679/dx-highlights/|access-date=October 6, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} and the NBC Red Network{{Cite news|last=Doran|first=Dorothy|date=August 23, 1933|title=Hettinger's Report Shows Radio To Be No 'Piker' Industry|page=8|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86600422/hettingers-report-shows-radio-to-be-no/|access-date=October 6, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} as the first female news analyst in network radio.{{Cite web|last=Kropko|first=M.R.|date=November 3, 1989|title=Pioneering Newswoman Dies At 96|url=https://apnews.com/article/350131535c9151188814bd9b5f6c8dcf|access-date=October 6, 2021|website=APNews.com|publisher=Associated Press}} In addition, WJW assigned Fuldheim to attend the San Francisco Conference that established the United Nations.{{Cite news|last=Geyer|first=Marion|date=September 17, 1945|title=Federation Will Start New Season Next Month|page=8|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86686522/federation-will-start-new-season-next-mo/|access-date=October 7, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Fuldheim's tenure at WJW ended when Scripps-Howard hired her for WEWS-FM (102.1){{Cite news|last=Sheridan|first=Terence|date=April 1, 1973|title=Dorothy Fuldheim: The Bearded Lady of Mother News|work=Cleveland Magazine|url=https://clevelandmagazine.com/in-the-cle/the-read/articles/dorothy-fuldheim-the-bearded-lady-of-mother-news|access-date=December 17, 2019}} and, in turn, WEWS-TV upon their December 17, 1947, sign-on{{Cite news|last1=Seifullah|first1=Alan A.A.|last2=Strassmeyer|first2=Mary|date=November 4, 1989|title=Dorothy Fuldheim, TV News legend, dies|pages=1A–2A|work=The Plain Dealer|url=http://media.cleveland.com/obituaries_impact/other/dorothy-fuldheim-obituary.pdf|access-date=October 6, 2021}} as the first female news anchor in American television.{{cite news|date=4 November 1989|title=Dorothy Fuldheim, 96, A News Commentator|page=10|work=The New York Times|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/11/04/obituaries/dorothy-fuldheim-96-a-news-commentator.html|access-date=1 August 2009}}

WJW reached an agreement with the Cleveland Indians to become the team's new flagship station on February 25, 1948.{{Cite news|last=Schlemmer|first=Jim|date=February 25, 1948|title=Indians' Broadcast Set|page=21|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86290134/indians-broadcast-set/|access-date=September 30, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} WJW replaced WGAR, which had been in the role since team owner Bill Veeck allowed it and three other stations—WJW, WHK and WTAM—to broadcast the games starting on June 28, 1946.{{Cite magazine|date=July 6, 1946|title=Cleveland No Longer Ball Desert; Indians, Percolators Get Together in 24 Hours|volume=58|page=7|magazine=Billboard|issue=27|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/40s/1946/BB-1946-07-06.pdf|access-date=October 3, 2021|via=World Radio History}} No radio station expressed interest in Indians games at the start of 1946,{{Cite book|last=Shea|first=Stuart|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p5QcCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA95|title=Calling the Game: Baseball Broadcasting from 1920 to the Present|publisher=SABR, Inc.|year=2015|isbn=978-1-933599-41-0|location=Phoenix, AZ}}{{Rp|95}} along with the majority of the 1945 season;{{r|AkronB194507042}} WJW and WHK expressed interest in 1944 but neither station could find a sponsor.{{Cite news|last=Doran|first=Dorothy|date=April 19, 1944|title=Philharmonic To Air This Summer|page=4|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86584377/philharmonic-to-air-this-summer/|access-date=October 6, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Veeck ended WGAR's three-year contract following the 1947 season after WGAR found itself unable to broadcast all the games due to CBS commitments.{{Cite book|last1=Veeck|first1=Bill|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RiJ334XY9u0C&pg=PA167|title=Veeck As In Wreck: The Autobiography of Bill Veeck|last2=Linn|first2=Ed|publisher=University of Chicago Press|year=2001|isbn=978-0-226027-21-0|location=Chicago|author-link=Bill Veeck|orig-date=1962}}{{Rp|167–168}} With this deal, WJW agreed to carry 147 of the team's 154-game schedule including both games of any doubleheaders{{r|AkronB1948022522}} live on-site, eschewing in-studio recreations of road games via telegraphy.{{r|Shea2015|p=95}}

Also established was a 15-station{{Cite news|last=Offineer|first=Bee|date=May 16, 1948|title=Baseball Fans Lose Patience|page=14A|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86289199/baseball-fans-lose-patience/|access-date=September 30, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} statewide radio network sponsored by Standard Brewing,{{Cite web|last=Dubelko|first=Jim|date=July 8, 2017|title=The Standard Brewing Company - What ever happened to Erin Brew beer?|url=https://clevelandhistorical.org/items/show/809|access-date=October 4, 2021|website=Cleveland Historical|publisher=CSU Center for Public History + Digital Humanities|language=en}} led by FM adjunct WJW-FM (104.1) which was slated to sign on in April.{{cite web|year=2007|title=U. S. FM Stations as of 1948|url=http://members.aol.com/jeff560/1948fm.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070615041247/http://members.aol.com/jeff560/1948fm.html|archive-date=June 15, 2007|access-date=January 1, 2007|work=History of American Broadcasting|publisher=Jeff Miller Web Pages}} The network soon offered additional programming outside of game coverage billed as The Standard Network, also with WJW-FM as flagship.{{Cite magazine|date=1948-12-04|title=Standard Net Begins Origination at WJW|magazine=The Billboard|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MewDAAAAMBAJ|access-date=2019-12-16}} Longtime broadcaster Jack Graney was paired with Jimmy Dudley;{{Cite news|last=Stratton|first=John|date=February 25, 1948|title=The Daily Times Sports|page=10|newspaper=The Daily Times|location=New Philadelphia, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86591880/the-daily-times-sports/|access-date=October 6, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Dudley also began hosting a nightly sports program over WJW titled Sports Page{{Cite news|last=Offineer|first=Bee|date=July 25, 1948|title=Dudley Fugitive From Chemistry|page=7B|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86452455/dudley-fugitive-from-chemistry/|access-date=October 3, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} which was carried over Standard Network affiliates.{{Cite news|date=October 24, 1948|title=Jimmy Dudley Tops Monday Booster Bill|page=29|newspaper=Mansfield News-Journal|location=Mansfield, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86452757/jimmy-dudley-tops-monday-booster-bill/|access-date=October 3, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}

The 1948 season, however, became immediately problematic. WJW arranged ABC commitments to broadcast games starting at 3 p.m.,{{r|Shea2015|p=95}} but the Indians moved the start times to 2 p.m. and failed to notify station management in time, resulting in WJW-FM broadcasting games in their entirety and WJW joining them in progress.{{Cite news|last=Offineer|first=Bee|date=April 21, 1948|title=Baseball Fans Do Slow Burn|page=28|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86289994/baseball-fans-do-slow-burn/|access-date=September 30, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Listeners in Akron unable to receive WJW-FM had to tune in to either WCMW or Wooster's WWST, neither of which were easily accessible in Akron proper.{{r|AkronB194805162}} The team was repeatedly criticized for the WJW deal, with some estimates showing only 10,000 FM receivers were in use in Northern Ohio,{{r|AkronB194805162}} even as more FM radio sets were reputedly sold in Cleveland than in any other market in the country.{{cite book|author1=Van Tassel, David D.|title=The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History|author2=Grabowski, John J.|publisher=Indiana University Press|year=1996|isbn=978-0-25333-056-7|edition=2nd|location=Bloomington, IN}}

As radio network programming, particularly in the daytime, consisted of sponsored shows, WJW had to accommodate those shows along with the Standard Brewing-sponsored Indians games.{{r|AkronB194804212}} Multiple games were scheduled only on WJW-FM, but one previously unscheduled Indians-Yankees game aired on WJW due to a rain delay.{{r|AkronB194805162}} One Cleveland Press editorial on September 4, 1948, called the situation "disgraceful" considering the team's pennant run, and urged WJW to carry all the games in their entirety in hopes of "washing out... the large amount of ill-feeling which WJW has built up for itself this summer by its baseball broadcasting undependability".{{Cite news|last=Offineer|first=Bee|date=September 8, 1948|title=Gildersleeve Begins Eighth Year|page=8|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86289413/gildersleeve-begins-eighth-year/|access-date=September 30, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} The radio network did grow in size as the pennant race heated up, expanding to 26 affiliates by September.{{r|Shea2015|p=95}} Standard's Erin Brew beer—popular in the city's Irish community—saw a substantial increase in sales{{r|StandardBrewingDubelko}} thanks to Dudley's in-game advertising.{{Cite web|date=May 20, 2011|title=Carling's, P.O.C., Erin Brew and Leisy Light: Cleveland Remembers|url=https://www.cleveland.com/remembers/2011/05/carlings_poc_erin_brew_and_lei.html|access-date=October 4, 2021|website=cleveland.com|publisher=The Plain Dealer|language=en}}

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| quote = The National A.A.U. swim meet of three week ends ago was an artistic success but a financial fizzle which lost $4,700. The Indians were away from home when the meet was staged at (the) Cuyahoga Falls pool, but even some of the so-called most interested swim fans could not be lured to the pool, lest they miss a baseball play as detailed by Jack Graney and Jimmy Dudley.

| author = Jim Schlemmer{{r|AkronB19480926}}

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Major League Baseball's radio contract with Mutual gave that network exclusive coverage of the 1948 World Series,{{Cite news|date=September 22, 1948|title=Mutual Again To Carry Series|page=10|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86426670/mutual-again-to-carry-series/|access-date=October 3, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} which the Indians advanced to after a tie-breaker game against the Boston Red Sox.{{Cite news|last=Nichols|first=Kenneth|date=October 5, 1948|title=They Did It! 'War Of Nerves' Finally Ends For Akron Fans|pages=1–[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86445324/they-did-it-war-of-nerves-finally/ 2]|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86445233/they-did-it-war-of-nerves-finally-end/|access-date=October 3, 2021|quote=In the schools, the voices of Jimmy Dudley and Jack Graney could be heard coming from rooms where teachers were supposed to be expounding an arithmetic or grammar. Many teachers brought portable radios to class.|via=Newspapers.com}} Mutual's play-by-play was typically composed with one announcer from each league champion{{r|AkronB19480922}} but Graney was ineligible as he played for the team prior to entering broadcasting, violating American League policy, while Dudley was not chosen because of his relative inexperience.{{Cite news|date=October 1, 1948|title=Allen, Britt Series Announcers|page=38|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45113155/allen-britt-series-announcers/|access-date=October 3, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} MLB commissioner Happy Chandler consequently paired Boston Braves announcer Jim Britt with Yankees announcer Mel Allen, playing up their experience as World Series broadcasters.{{Cite news|last=Steinhauser|first=Si|date=October 1, 1948|title=Chandler Names Announcers for World Series: Britt and Allen Get the Nod|page=47|newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press|location=Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86419332/chandler-names-announcers-for-world-seri/|access-date=October 3, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Veeck was furious at the slight, calling the selection "patently unfair" after Dudley and Graney's regular-season efforts representing the team.{{r|VeeckLinn1962|p=168}} Veeck's anger was justified. Graney and Dudley's narration of the pennant run had captivated the region, with all other forms of entertainment—even the Cleveland Browns—suffering steep declines in attention and revenue; one Akron business firm canceled their long-running radio program after finding out their customers were listening to the games on WJW instead.{{Cite news|last=Schlemmer|first=Jim|date=September 26, 1948|title=Big Business: Tribe Fans Spend Millions As Indians Drive For Flag; Other Business Hard Hit|page=2C|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86454406/big-business-tribe-fans-spend-millions/|access-date=October 3, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Along with WHK and WHKK,{{Cite news|date=September 29, 1948|title=Crosby Show Begins Third Year|page=11|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86451349/crosby-show-begins-third-year/|access-date=October 3, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Mutual's Gillette-sponsored coverage boasted over 500 affiliates across the country, plus simulcasts over Armed Forces Radio and the CBC in Canada.{{r|AkronB19480922}}

Despite being on printed radio schedules,{{Cite news|date=October 4, 1948|title=Radio Time Table|page=4|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/60544998/radio-time-table/|access-date=October 3, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} WHK did not air Mutual's coverage of the tie-breaker game after Veeck refused to grant the station permission;{{r|VeeckLinn1962|p=168}} the game was offered to Mutual for free at the recommendation of Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey.{{Cite news|last=Fullerton, Jr.|first=Hugh|date=October 6, 1948|title=Sports Roundup|pages=8, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86451151/sports-roundup-p2/ 11]|newspaper=The Daily Record|agency=Associated Press|location=Long Branch, New Jersey|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86450983/sports-roundup/|access-date=October 3, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Locally, WJW carried the playoff game with Graney and Dudley.{{r|AkronB19481005}} Prior to game three of the series at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, Veeck directed Mutual engineers to a press box normally used for football games and was unusable for baseball, prompting Mutual and Gilette to threaten a boycott, angering Happy Chandler.{{r|VeeckLinn1962|p=169}} The impasse between Veeck, Chandler, Mutual and Gillette was resolved 15 minutes prior to the first pitch when WJW owner William M. O'Neil, Jr. urged Veeck to let Mutual broadcast in the normal press box.{{r|VeeckLinn1962|pp=169–170}} At Veeck's insistence, O'Neil issued a telegram requesting that flagship stations for teams participating in the World Series matches be permitted to carry Mutual's play-by-play and that one announcer from each team had to be selected, which became MLB policy the following year.{{r|VeeckLinn1962|p=170}}

Unlike the previous season, WJW was able to resolve ABC network commitments for the 1949 season, allowing the station to carry all games in full.{{Cite news|last=Offineer|first=Bee|date=February 28, 1949|title=Speculate On Godfrey Rivals|page=9|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86289862/speculate-on-godfrey-rivals/|access-date=October 3, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} The station's relationship with the Indians ended in 1950 when newly established WERE (1300 AM) took over as team flagship,{{Cite news|date=January 13, 1950|title=WERE, WEWS Will Carry Indians Games|page=1|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86446866/were-wews-will-carry-indians-games/|access-date=October 3, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} with Standard Brewing retaining sponsorship.{{r|Shea2015|p=96}} One of the affiliates from the WJW-led network, Sandusky's WLEC, has remained an affiliate with all subsequent iterations of the network up to the present day.{{Cite web|last=Ouriel|first=Andy|date=October 20, 2016|title=1948: Indians last World Series title, WLEC's first Tribe game|url=http://www.sanduskyregister.com/story/201610200041|access-date=December 17, 2019|website=Sandusky Register}}

{{Quote box

| quote = Alan was a cocky kid; a real go-getter. Leo saw his talent and he figured Alan, with some guidance, could make it big in Cleveland.

| author = Betty Mintz

| source = Leo Mintz's widow, recalling Leo's impression of Alan Freed{{r|Dayt870607}}

| align = right

| width = 250px

| qalign = left

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}}

One of WJW's most influential personalities was a young disc jockey named Alan Freed. Freed had already achieved fame at WAKR hosting a daytime music program{{Cite news|date=June 30, 1948|title=Whiteman Off, Freed On Again|page=20|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/43951341/whiteman_off_freed_on_again/|access-date=February 7, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} along with the nightly Wax Works{{Cite news|last=Offineer|first=Bee|date=July 23, 1947|title=Freed Premiers 'Wax Works'|page=7|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/51909508/freed-premieres-wax-works/|access-date=May 22, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} and Request Review,{{r|WhitemanFreed2}} but his February 1950 departure for WADC prompted a lawsuit by WAKR ownership to enforce a one-year non-compete clause.{{Cite magazine|date=February 25, 1950|title=Akron Jockey, WAKR Tangle|id={{ProQuest|1039946160}}|volume=62|page=16|magazine=The Billboard|publisher=The Billboard Publishing Company|issue=8|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/50s/1950/Billboard%201950-02-25.pdf|access-date=January 31, 2020|via=American Radio History}} Freed repeatedly lost in court and the non-compete—which extended for a radius of {{Convert|75|miles|km|lk=on}} from Akron{{Cite magazine|date=March 4, 1950|title=Court Slaps Ban On Alan Freed In Jockey Fight|volume=62|page=20|magazine=The Billboard|publisher=The Billboard Publishing Company|issue=9|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/50s/1950/Billboard%201950-03-04.pdf|access-date=January 31, 2020|via=American Radio History}}—barred him from radio work for a full calendar year, although he was able to host an afternoon program on WXEL (channel 9).{{Cite news|last=Denny|first=Frank|date=September 30, 1950|title=D. J.s must change for TV, says Freed|page=3|work=TV Today|url=http://www.alanfreed.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/016-DJs-Must-Change-1950.pdf|url-status=dead|access-date=January 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128001749/http://www.alanfreed.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/016-DJs-Must-Change-1950.pdf|archive-date=January 28, 2020|via=AlanFreed.com}} The non-compete expired on February 11, 1951, allowing Freed to join WADC for the midnight program Dreamville,{{Cite news|last=Cullison|first=Art|date=February 11, 1951|title=Huge TV Show Plugs Heart Fund|page=10C|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85460614/huge-tv-show-plugs-heart-fund/|access-date=September 16, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} in a more subdued presentation than his "Ol' Knucklehead" persona at WAKR.{{Cite news|last=Cullison|first=Art|date=February 27, 1951|title=HST Kicks Off Red Cross Drive|page=4|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85461930/hst-kicks-off-red-cross-drive/|access-date=September 16, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} The expenses incurred by the year-long legal fight drove Freed to file for bankruptcy on May 9, 1951.{{Cite news|date=May 9, 1951|title=Alan Freed Files Bankruptcy Plea|page=40|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85460394/alan-freed-files-bankruptcy-plea/|access-date=September 16, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}

At the same time, record shop owner Leo Mintz was sponsoring a late-night program of classical music on WJW.{{cite web|last=Trattner|first=Douglas|date=March 27, 2007|title=Schoolhouse Rock|url=https://clevelandmagazine.com/in-the-cle/commentary/articles/schoolhouse-rock|access-date=September 16, 2021|website=clevelandmagazine.com|publisher=Cleveland Magazine|language=en}} Mintz's Record Rendezvous had acquired a reputation in the music industry for selling rhythm and blues music and allowing customers to play records prior to purchase, and had heavily advertised on radio stations.{{Cite news|last=Batz|first=Bob|date=June 7, 1987|title=Leo Mintz Shortchanged for Coining Phrase|pages=8, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85461207/leo-mintz-shortchanged-for-coining/ 11]|work=Dayton Daily News: The Magazine|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85461086/leo-mintz-shortchanged-for-coining/|access-date=September 16, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} After listening to airchecks of Freed's past work after he inquired about job opportunities in Cleveland,{{r|Dayt870607}} Mintz scrapped the classical program and picked Freed to host a new show playing current R&B recordings personally selected by Mintz.{{r|SchoolhouseRock}} Freed adopted the nickname "The King of the Moondoggers" purportedly after listening to Louis "Moondog" Hardin's 1947 "Moondog Symphony", using that piece as his program's theme song.{{Cite magazine|date=December 4, 1954|title=Freed Enjoined From Use of 'Moondog' Label|volume=66|pages=21–22|magazine=Billboard|issue=40|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/50s/1954/Billboard%201954-12-04.pdf|access-date=September 16, 2021|via=World Radio History}} Largely inspired by WLAC's nighttime programming, Mintz set up The Moondog House Party to feature R&B recordings by black artists instead of covers by white artists, and doing so for a predominantly white audience.{{cite web|last=Feran|first=Tom|date=March 22, 2002|title=The Mintz behind rock 'n' roll myth|url=https://www.cleveland.com/pdextra/2011/01/the_mintz_behind_rock_n_roll_m.html|access-date=September 16, 2021|website=cleveland.com|publisher=The Plain Dealer|language=en}} Freed initially objected to this, considering those recordings as race records,{{r|SchoolhouseRock}} but soon conceded to Mintz's insistence.{{r|MintzBehindRnR}} While Freed started using "rock and roll" on-air to describe the music, Mintz conceived of the phrase in 1948 while watching customers seemingly "rocking and rolling" into Record Rendezvous instead of just walking in,{{r|Dayt870607}} and suggested the phrase to Freed.{{cite news|last=Wain|first=Norman|date=April 4, 1986|title=Mintz and Moondog 'made' Rock'n'Roll|pages=A24–A25|journal=Cleveland Jewish News|url=http://www.alanfreed.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/180-MintzMoondog-4-4-86.pdf|access-date=September 16, 2021}}

{{Quote box

| quote = If anyone... had told us that some 20 or 25,000 people would try to get into a dance—I suppose you would have been just like me. You would have laughed and said they were crazy.

| author = Alan Freed

| source = in an on-air apology the night after the Moondog Coronation Ball{{r|Concert}}

| align = left

| width = 250px

| qalign = left

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}}

As Freed's popularity grew, he and Mintz decided to organize live events that showcased some of the musicians on The Moondog House Party.{{r|Dayt870607}} With assistance from concert promoter Lew Platt, the first such event—the Moondog Coronation Ball—was booked for March 21, 1952, at the Cleveland Arena, with Paul Williams, Tiny Grimes, The Dominoes, Varetta Dillard and Danny Cobb among the featured performers,{{cite web|last1=Kelley|first1=Kevin|date=March 21, 2016|title=The Story of Rock 'n' Roll's First Concert|url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/first-rock-concert/|website=Ultimate Classic Rock|publisher=Townsquare Media|access-date=July 25, 2017}} with a ticket price of $1.50.{{cite news|last=Sheerin|first=Jude|date=March 21, 2012|title=How the world's first rock concert ended in chaos|work=BBC News Magazine|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17440514|url-status=live|access-date=May 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325153227/http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-17440514|archive-date=March 25, 2014}} While the Arena normally could host 15,000 people, both the Cleveland Division of Fire and Division of Police started receiving warnings about the event potentially being significantly oversold.{{Cite news|date=March 22, 1952|title=Hepcats Bay On Trail Of Moondog, Freed In Jam|page=2|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85472238/hepcats-bay-on-trail-of-moondog-freed/|access-date=September 17, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Mintz had intended for a second concert due to overwhelming ticket sales, but a printing error forgot to include the concert date,{{r|BBCMoondog}} which was further exacerbated by counterfeit tickets.{{cite web|title=The Moondog Coronation Ball is history's first rock concert|url=http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-moondog-coronation-ball-is-historys-first-rock-concert|work=History|publisher=Hearst Corporation and The Walt Disney Company|access-date=March 31, 2016}} Mintz and Platt had hired 25 security guards for the Arena's entrance, but the overflow crowd of approximately 6,000 people crashed the gate at 9:30 p.m.{{Cite news|date=March 22, 1952|title=Moondog Ball Ends In Melee|page=2|work=The Logan Daily News|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85472054/moondog-ball-ends-in-melee/|access-date=September 17, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} and charged into the Arena, prompting 40 policemen and 30 fireman to be called in.{{r|Akro520322}} Whiskey bottles were smashed on the Arena floor, four panel doors were destroyed, and two people were stabbed.{{r|Loga520322}} Compounding matters was the shock of black people in the audience seeing Alan Freed for the first time in person, resulting in a uproar.{{r|BBCMoondog}}

Fire officials and riot police entered the Arena and ended the event after only one song was played,{{r|KevinKelleyMoondog}} but the song was inaudible due to the large crowd noise of 25,000 attendees.{{r|Akro520322}} Mintz and his wife were in Florida that night; when notified about the riot, Mintz immediately flew back to Cleveland and rode a taxi to the arena.{{r|Dayt870607}} Witnessing the large group of people walking around outside the arena, and seeing the fire department hosing rioters inside the arena,{{r|BBCMoondog}} Mintz directed the cab driver to take him back to the airport.{{r|Dayt870607}} Freed was located by officials in a radio booth, with the city's fire chief threatening to arrest him on deliberately overselling the event.{{r|Akro520322}} The next night, Freed apologized on-air for the melee, even admitting that he could not fathom a music event having such a massive attendance.{{r|KevinKelleyMoondog}}{{r|Concert}} An Associated Press wire story summed up the event as being "such a success (that) it failed".{{r|Loga520322}} In a more contemporary analysis, Plain Dealer music critic John Soeder considered it the "Big Bang of rock 'n' roll" and is now generally recognized within popular culture as the first rock concert.{{r|BBCMoondog}}

Freed signed a contract with New York City's WINS in July 1954 in what was one of the largest talent contracts for an air personality,{{Cite magazine|date=July 10, 1954|title=Moondog to WINS: Freed Freed of WJW, To Start in N.Y. in Fall|id={{ProQuest|1040272635}}|volume=66|page=15|magazine=Billboard|issue=38|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/50s/1954/Billboard%201954-07-10.pdf|access-date=September 16, 2021|via=World Radio History}} including an annual $75,000 salary and a syndication deal.{{Cite magazine|date=August 28, 1954|title=WINS Places Freed Show In 5 Markets|id={{ProQuest|1040179327}}|volume=66|pages=12, 55|magazine=Billboard|issue=35|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/50s/1954/Billboard%201954-08-28.pdf|access-date=September 16, 2021|via=World Radio History}} While this necessitated his departure from WJW on August 14, 1954, the station was one of nine that agreed to carry his syndicated show in the same timeslot.{{Cite news|last1=O'Malley|first1=Tom|last2=Cunniff|first2=Bob|date=August 13, 1954|title=Uncle Miltie Mellows: Wife And Writer Tame The Tiger|page=36|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85461745/uncle-miltie-mellows-wife-and-writer/|access-date=September 16, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Prior to the deal, a similarly-titled "Moondog Coronation Ball" at the Newark Armory on May 8, 1954, staged by WNJR attracted a crowd of 20,000, filling the Armory to capacity and preventing those in attendance from being able to dance.{{Cite magazine|last=Rolontz|first=Bob|date=May 15, 1954|title=Alan Freed Attracts Mob In Newark|id={{ProQuest|1040259380}}|volume=66|pages=14, 37|magazine=Billboard|issue=20|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/50s/1954/Billboard%201954-05-15.pdf|access-date=September 16, 2021|via=World Radio History}} The move to New York would cost Freed the "Moondog" nickname when Louis Hardin sued for $100,000 in damages and copyright infringement,{{Cite news|last=Cullison|first=Art|date=December 6, 1954|title=TV's A Light Subject: Contrasts Can Make, Break A Play|page=22|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85466206/tvs-a-light-subject-contrasts-can/|access-date=September 16, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} and the judge enjoined Freed.{{r|Billboard19541204p21}} Freed's involvement in the genesis of "rock and roll" has largely taken precedence over Mintz's behind-the-scenes role, particularly after the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame committed to a location in Cleveland.{{r|Dayt870607}} Freed was a member of the Rock Hall's initial induction class,{{cite web|date=2017|title=Alan Freed – 1986 – Category:Non-Performer|url=https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/alan-freed|access-date=January 5, 2017|publisher=Rock & Roll Hall of Fame}} while Mintz is a mention within the museum's Freed exhibit.{{r|MintzBehindRnR}}

From May 1951 to early 1953, WJW was home to a disc jockey called Soupy Hines, later known as Soupy Sales.{{cite web|last1=Dawidziak|first1=Mark|last2=Dealer|first2=The Plain|date=2009-10-26|title=Soupy Sales got his first pie in the face in Cleveland|url=https://www.cleveland.com/tv/2009/10/soupy_sales_got_his_first_pie.html|access-date=2019-12-18|website=cleveland|language=en}}{{cite web|last=Braun|first=Saul|date=October 1, 1967|title=The Transmogrification of Soupy Sales|url=https://classic.esquire.com/article/1967/10/1/the-transmogrification-of-soupy-sales|access-date=December 18, 2019|website=Esquire|language=en-US}}{{cite web|title=Cleveland, Ohio Broadcast Radio Archives Project|url=http://www.cleve-radio.com/index2.htm#WJW-AM|access-date=2019-12-18|website=www.cleve-radio.com|archive-date=May 9, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509082729/http://www.cleve-radio.com/index2.htm#WJW-AM|url-status=dead}}

O'Neil sold WJW and WJW-FM to Storer Broadcasting on November 17, 1954. Storer also purchased television station WXEL and changed the call letters to WJW-TV. Within two years, radio and television operations were consolidated at new studios at 1630 Euclid Avenue, near Playhouse Square, in a remodeled Georgian building that formerly housed the Esquire Theater. WJW dropped its ABC Radio Network affiliation at the end of 1957 and became an independent station,{{Cite news|date=January 20, 1958|title=WSRS Becomes ABN's 303rd|id={{ProQuest|1085753236}}|page=82|work=Broadcasting|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1958/1958-01-20-BC.pdf|access-date=December 23, 2019}} although the station later had a brief affiliation with NBC. By 1959, WJW broadcast with 10,000 watts daytime and 5,000 watts at night.{{r|WKNRHC}}

Pete "Mad Daddy" Myers had a short but metoric stint at WJW. Myers made his debut on January 20, 1958, joining the station from Akron's WHKK,{{Cite news|last=Cullison|first=Art|date=January 17, 1958|title=Giveaways Slipping|page=20|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85639118/giveaways-slipping/|access-date=October 20, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} where he had been at since October 22, 1956.{{Cite news|date=October 21, 1956|title=Ray Bolger Back On TV|page=12D|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85639298/ray-bolger-back-on-tv/|access-date=October 19, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Myers' acting abilities—having trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, attempted work as a character actor in New York City{{Cite news|last=Hinkley|first=David|date=April 7, 2005|title=Man Out of Time: Mad Daddy|page=42|newspaper=New York Daily News|location=New York, New York|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87417970/man-out-of-time-mad-daddy/|access-date=October 20, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} and participated in community theater{{Cite news|last=Cullison|first=Art|date=November 8, 1957|title=Coach House Has Suspense Thriller|page=7|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85639171/coach-house-has-suspense-thriller/|access-date=October 20, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}—helped foster the adoption of his "Mad Daddy" persona, which partially came out of desperation to create a "career-making splash".{{r|DailyN20050407}} Speaking in rhyme and with hipster-like lyricism, Myers popularized phrases "wavy gravy", "mello jello" and "zoomeratin'", with the bulk of his witticisms all improvised.{{Cite web|date=June 5, 2014|title=Pete Myers – 'The Mad Daddy' – Nostalgia Central|url=https://nostalgiacentral.com/music/artists-l-to-z/artists-p/pete-myers-mad-daddy/|access-date=2021-10-19|website=nostalgiacentral.com|language=en-GB}} Myers remained at WJW until May 13, 1958, when he abruptly resigned to join Metromedia's WHK for double the salary he had at WJW but failed to give a 90-day notice for his departure, resulting in enforcement of a non-compete clause in his contract.{{Cite news|last=Cullison|first=Art|date=May 27, 1958|title=Want Montgomery|page=50|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Newspapers|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85639253/want-montgomery/|access-date=October 20, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} A publicity stunt engineered by Myers during the interregnum involved him parachuting from a Piper Cub {{Convert|2200|ft|m|abbr=out|lk=on}} over Lake Erie on June 14, 1958, and composing a poem on his way down.{{Cite news|date=June 15, 1958|title=Disc Jockey Safe After 'Chute Jump|page=2A|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|agency=Associated Press|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/16992005/maddaddyjumpsakronbeaconjournalsunjun15/|access-date=October 20, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}

Having lost Freed and Myers successively, WJW ultimately turned to Casey Kasem for the evening shift as 1959 began.{{Cite web|last1=Dawidziak|first1=Mark|last2=Dealer|first2=The Plain|date=2014-06-15|title=Casey Kasem made himself heard and made himself welcome: An appreciation|url=https://www.cleveland.com/tv-blog/2014/06/casey_kasem_made_himself_heard_and_made_himself_welcome.html|access-date=2021-10-21|website=cleveland|language=en}} Kasem identified himself as "Casey at the Mike"{{Cite book|last=Shannon|first=Bob|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IOd_Y6_Af8EC|title=Turn It Up! American Radio Tales 1946-1996|publisher=Austrianmonk Publishing|year=2009|isbn=978-1-61584-545-3|location=Bainbridge Island, Washington|access-date=October 21, 2021|via=Google Books}}{{Rp|p=1318}} owing to varied misspellings of his name in both contemporary news accounts and station promos.{{r|CPDKasemTimeinCLE}} Within three months, Kasem reached second place behind WHK in ratings surveys on weeknights{{r|Shannon2009|p=202}} and number one on Saturday nights, entering the market "with a vengeance" against Top 40 stations WHK and KYW.{{Cite magazine|last1=Kasem|first1=Casey|author-link=Casey Kasem|last2=Hall|first2=Claude|author-link2=Claude Hall|date=September 17, 1977|title='Top 40' DJ Casey Kasem: Part 2|volume=89|pages=22, 24|id={{ProQuest|1505964391}}|magazine=Billboard|issue=37|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/70s/1977/Billboard%201977-09-17.pdf|access-date=October 21, 2021|via=World Radio History}} Like Myers and Freed before him, Kasem featured R&B recordings in a "high-energy rock" style, with his "wild-tracking" distinguishing himself from WJW's daytime pop-oriented fare that featured Perry Como and The McGuire Sisters as core artists.{{r|Shannon2009|p=202}} Converstly, the fourth hour was more laidback with his news reader as a co-host.{{r|CaseyBillboard}} In addition to his WJW work, Kasem also hosted the dance show Cleveland Bandstand over WJW-TV.{{r|CPDKasemTimeinCLE}}

On May 1, 1960,{{Cite magazine|date=April 25, 1960|title='Good Music' Trend Builds in Local Radio|id={{ProQuest|1505534684}}|volume=72|page=4|magazine=Billboard|issue=17|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/60s/1960/Billboard%201960-04-25.pdf|access-date=October 20, 2021}} WJW dropped the majority of their personality-based programming for "good music", a beautiful music presentation that featured music played uninterrupted in stretches ranging from 12 to 20 minutes, commercials played in clusters, and a limit to commercials played per hour.{{Cite news|date=April 18, 1960|title=Media Reports: New Policy|id={{ProQuest|1014445567}}|volume=58|page=64|work=Broadcasting|issue=16|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1960/BC-1960-04-18.pdf|access-date=December 17, 2019|via=World Radio History}} WJW was the first station in the entire Storer chain to adopt a beautiful music format, eventually joined by Miami's WGBS and Los Angeles's KGBS,{{Cite magazine|date=January 16, 1961|title=Vox Jox|volume=73|page=48|magazine=Billboard|issue=2|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/60s/1961/Billboard%201961-01-16.pdf|id={{ProQuest|1438619756}}|access-date=October 21, 2021|via=World Radio History}} with Storer's national radio program manager Grady Edney personally overseeing the launch in Cleveland.{{r|WJWGoodMusicTrend}} Casey Kasem attributed the switch directly to the payola scandal and left WJW for Buffalo's WBNY,{{Cite book|last=Sterling|first=Christopher H.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-UeveLMilioC|title=Encyclopedia of Radio 3-Volume Set|publisher=Fitzroy Dearborn|year=2004|isbn=9781135456498|location=New York City|access-date=October 21, 2021|via=Google Books}}{{Rp|p=1318}} but remained in contact with friends in the Cleveland area.{{Cite web|last=Feran|first=Tom|date=June 15, 2014|title=Casey Kasem's time "at the mike" in Cleveland did him some good|url=https://www.cleveland.com/tv-blog/2014/06/casey_kasems_time_at_the_mike_in_cleveland_made_lasting_marks.html|access-date=October 20, 2021|website=cleveland.com|publisher=The Plain Dealer|language=en}} NBC Radio programming was retained on WJW{{r|WJWNewPolicy}} until 1962, when the affiliation moved to WGAR and WJW became independent again.{{Cite news|date=November 6, 1961|title=50-kw WGAR going from CBS to NBC|volume=61|page=76|work=Broadcasting|issue=19|id={{ProQuest|1014449929}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1961/1961-11-06-BC.pdf|access-date=October 20, 2021|via=World Radio History}} Despite the "beautiful music" descriptor that was even prevalent on station letterhead as late as 1972, management emphasized WJW was a "modern MOR station heavy on personality."{{Cite news|last=Hall|first=Claude|date=March 11, 1972|title=Vox Jox|volume=84|issue=11|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/70s/1972/BB-1972-03-11.pdf|access-date=October 21, 2021|via=World Radio History|id={{ProQuest|1040675891}}}}

Leading the station throughout much of this era was morning host Ed Fisher. A native of Butler, Fisher started his radio career at WMAN while also working in the News Journal mailing room,{{Cite news|last=Stanfield|first=Virgil A.|date=August 3, 1973|title=View From Here: His Show's a Little Different|page=3|newspaper=News Journal|location=Mansfield, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85827006/view-from-here-his-shows-a-little-diff/|access-date=October 21, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} spending time at stations in Zanesville and Moline, Illinois before joining WJW in 1962.{{r|ECT19780311pB2}} In addition to his WJW work, Fisher also hosted WJW-TV's version of The Bozo Show.{{r|EdFisherObit}} Presiding over the Grouch Club morning show, Fisher added lighthearted humor and wit to the music selections,{{Cite news|last=Stanfield|first=Virgil A.|date=October 5, 1967|title=The View From Here: New Role for Radioman|page=12|newspaper=News Journal|location=Mansfield, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85826956/the-view-from-here-new-role-for-radioma/|access-date=October 21, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} punctuated by his daily catchphrase "take good care of the babies".{{r|NewsJo19730803}} As WJW had moved their studios to their transmitter site in North Royalton, Fisher soon dubbed the suburb "High on a Friendly Hill".{{Cite news|date=June 26, 1983|title=North Royalton|page=35|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal Answer Book|publisher=Knight Ridder|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86711216/north-royalton/|access-date=October 21, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Nicknamed "The Captain", Carl Reese joined WJW in 1964 after prior work at WERE and WHK,{{Cite web|last=Feran|first=Tom|date=November 30, 2014|title=Carl Reese, Cleveland radio legend, is dead at 83|url=https://www.cleveland.com/obituaries/2014/11/carl_reese_cleveland_radio_leg.html|access-date=October 21, 2021|website=cleveland.com|publisher=The Plain Dealer|language=en}} becoming a fixture at the station for 18 years with a genial, friendly on-air style.{{r|CarlReeseProfile}} Along with Fisher and Reese, personalities heard on WJW during this era included Ted Lux and David Mark.{{Cite magazine|date=October 20, 1973|title=Bob West Melding Breaking MOR Hits With Color-Coded 200-Master List to Excite WJW-AM Interest|volume=85|pages=30, 32|magazine=Billboard|issue=42|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UwgEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA30|access-date=December 17, 2019}} In 1968, Storer changed WJW-FM's call letters to WCJW, and launched a "countrypolitian" country music format featuring WJW's air talent as announcers via voice-tracking.{{cite web|date=January 29, 1968|title=For the Record: Call Letter Actions|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1968/1968-01-29-BC.pdf|access-date=17 July 2018|website=Broadcasting|page=117}} WJW celebrated their 25th anniversary as a Cleveland station on November 14, 1968, by interspersing songs from 1943 into the general playlist.{{Cite magazine|last=Scott|first=Jane|author-link=Jane Scott (rock critic)|date=December 7, 1968|title='43 Sounds Mark 25th Anniversary of WJW|volume=80|page=35|magazine=Billboard|issue=49|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/60s/1968/Billboard%201968-12-07.pdf|access-date=October 21, 2021|via=World Radio History|id={{ProQuest|1286320212}}}}

WJW and Top 40-formatted WIXY entered 1970 as the dominant AM stations in the Cleveland market,{{Cite news|date=April 10, 1972|title='They're playing our song' at WGAR|id={{ProQuest|1505657364}}|volume=82|pages=98, [https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/72-OCR/1972-04-10-BC-OCR-Page-0100.pdf 100]|work=Broadcasting|issue=15|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/72-OCR/1972-04-10-BC-OCR-Page-0098.pdf|access-date=August 18, 2021}} while WJW commanded 25% of all revenue in the Cleveland market between 1965 and 1970.{{r|CarlReeseProfile}} Storer had estimated that WJW's audience resided in the suburbs and were more affluent in comparison to other stations.{{r|WJW25thAnniv}} WJW enjoyed a disproportionately large audience of people aged 18 and older in ratings surveys, even as their target demo was supposed to be 35–plus; conversely, WIXY attracted an equally disproportionate audience of people 35 and older.{{r|WGARPlayingOurSong3}} This disparity was caused by considerable overlap between WJW and WIXY's playlist, with WJW having played eleven songs that were listed on WIXY's weekly music survey at the end of 1970,{{Cite book|last1=Olszewski|first1=Mike|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/BOOKSHELF-ARH/Station-Books/WIXY-1260-Olszewski-Berk-2011.pdf|title=WIXY 1260: Pixies, Six-Packs, and Supermen|last2=Berg|first2=Richard|last3=Wolff|first3=Carlo|publisher=Black Squirrel Books|year=2011|isbn=978-1-60635-099-7|location=Kent, Ohio|pages=88}}{{Rp|90}} motivating Jack G. Thayer to relaunch WGAR with an adult contemporary format in September 1970.{{r|WGARPlayingOurSong3}} WJW's penchant for attracting a contemporary audience despite the MOR format persisted into 1973, with then-program director Bob West implementing a color-coded playlist driven by current songs picked by air talent enthusiasm, oldies and lesser-known songs by established artists.{{r|WJWBobWest}} West also began adding international recordings into the playlist, including songs recorded in Poland, China, Germany and Africa, believing that they did not sound out of place with WJW's regular format.{{Cite magazine|date=December 23, 1972|title=WJW-AM Builds ID With Foreign Disks|volume=84|pages=14, 16|magazine=Billboard|issue=52|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/70s/1972/BB-1972-12-23.pdf|access-date=October 21, 2021|via=World Radio History}}

While Ed Fisher continued to attract strong ratings in morning drive,{{r|WIXY1260Book|p=101}} WGAR, along with FM beautiful music stations, slowly began to erode WJW's overall standing in the market.{{r|WIXY1260Book}} One of those stations happened to be the former WCJW, which Storer sold along with Philadelphia's WPNA to SJR in April 1971 for a combined $1.4 million{{cite web|date=April 26, 1971|title=Storer FM holdings down to one|id={{ProQuest|1016870446}}|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1971/1971-04-26-BC.pdf|access-date=17 July 2018|website=Broadcasting|page=56}} and was relaunched as WQAL one month later.{{Cite news|date=May 24, 1971|title=For the Record: Call Letter Actions|page=74|work=Broadcasting|id={{ProQuest|1016854417}}|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1971/1971-05-24-BC.pdf|access-date=December 16, 2019}} The sale was part of a dispersal of Storer's FM properties over the previous year, with their Los Angeles FM being the only one left.{{r|StorerOneFM}} In the February 1971 Pulse ratings survey, WDOK was the only FM station to place among the top 10 stations in ratings surveys;{{r|WIXY1260Book|p=91–92}} by March 1974, WQAL and WDOK were ranked #2 and #3 overall behind talk-formatted WERE, with WGCL-FM and WMMS also charting, but Ed Fisher still placed at second in morning drive.{{r|WIXY1260Book|p=110}} Carl Reese had been offered positions at FM stations, but declined them all, citing a personal lack of interest in FM formats.{{Cite web|last=Hanson|first=Debbie|date=2002|title=Carl Reese|url=http://www.clevelandseniors.com/people/carlreese.htm|access-date=October 17, 2021|website=ClevelandSeniors.com}} WJW experimented in afternoons starting in 1973 with a music-and-talk show fronted by Ronn Owens,{{r|WJWBobWest}} but his show ended after WJW committed to a "more music" presentation that emphasized "adult music" over MOR.{{Cite magazine|date=August 10, 1974|title=Cleveland's WJW-AM to 'More Hourly Music' Route|volume=86|page=30|magazine=Billboard|issue=32|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QgkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA30|access-date=December 17, 2019}} WIXY, the market's last remaining AM Top 40 outlet, also converted to adult contemporary as WMGC in 1976;{{r|WIXY1260Book|p=127–128}} at the same time, WJW began to operate at a loss financially.{{r|StorerTop100}}

File:WJW_850_1980s.png

Storer Broadcasting sold WJW radio in early September 1976 to Lake Erie Broadcasting for $2.5 million.{{Cite news|date=September 6, 1976|title=In Brief...|volume=91|page=30|work=Broadcasting|id={{ProQuest|1016885483}}|issue=10|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1976/1976-09-06-BC.pdf|access-date=December 17, 2019|via=World Radio History}} Lake Erie Broadcasting was headed primarily by Cleveland Browns owners Art Modell and Al Lerner, with WJW general manager Richard Bremkamp and WEWS sportscaster Gib Shanley holding minority stakes.{{Cite news|date=February 7, 1977|title=For the Record: Ownership Changes|volume=92|page=91|work=Broadcasting|issue=6|id={{ProQuest|1014689878}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1977/BC-1977-02-07.pdf|access-date=December 17, 2019|via=World Radio History}} The sale was made after Storer began to express reservations about radio ownership but already owned the maximum amount of television stations under existing FCC regulations. Moreover, Storer president Peter Storer noted that the $2.5 million representing "a significant profit" for the company, especially since WJW was now losing money.{{Cite news|date=June 26, 1978|title=The Top 100 Companies in Electronic Communications: 62, Storer Broadcasting Co.|volume=94|page=57|work=Broadcasting|id={{ProQuest|1016901017}}|issue=26|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1978/1978-06-26-BC.pdf|access-date=October 13, 2021|via=World Radio History}} Lake Erie prevailed in a bidding war against Booth American Broadcasting for WJW,{{Cite news|date=March 1, 1985|title=Modell sells WJW to Booth company|pages=15B–16B|work=The Plain Dealer|location=Cleveland, Ohio}} which had even put their existing AM property WABQ up for sale in the process.{{Cite news|last=Frolik|first=Joe|date=June 12, 1985|title=All sports eggs in one basket|page=3E|work=The Plain Dealer|location=Cleveland, Ohio}} Storer retained WJW-TV, whose calls were changed to WJKW the following April 22, 1977,{{Cite news|date=April 8, 1977|title=Ch. 8 changing its call letters|page=B16|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85637114/ch-8-changing-its-call-letters/|access-date=September 19, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} as Lake Erie was granted full legal rights to the WJW call sign.{{Cite news|last=Gottlieb|first=Ken|date=September 14, 1985|title=What's in a name? Ask WJKW, er, WJW, er, Channel 8|page=A6|work=Elyria Chronicle-Telegram|location=Elyria, Ohio|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/entertainment-clipping-sep-14-1985-2748397/|access-date=October 12, 2021|via=NewspaperArchive}} The deal was consummated in July 1977,{{Cite news|date=July 11, 1977|title=Changing Hands|page=25|work=Broadcasting|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1977/BC-1977-07-11.pdf|access-date=December 17, 2019|id={{ProQuest|1016888743}}}} and Bremkamp was elevated to station president at the start of 1978.

WJW's format shifted to middle of the road (MOR) on February 6, 1978, while retaining CBS Radio News and sports programming.{{Cite news|date=February 8, 1978|title=WJW radio changes format|page=D6|work=Elyria Chronicle-Telegram|location=Elyria, Ohio|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/entertainment-clipping-feb-08-1978-2748982/|access-date=October 12, 2021|via=NewspaperArchive}} Richard Bremkamp, who joined WJW in 1974 as general manager{{Cite magazine|last=Weitzer|first=Richard|date=March 18, 1978|title=Cleveland WJW Shifting Gears: New Management Trying Middle Of Middle Of Road|id={{ProQuest|1505908252}}|volume=90|page=33|magazine=Billboard|issue=11|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/70s/1978/Billboard%201978-03-18.pdf|access-date=December 17, 2019|via=World Radio History}} after prior work at WIXY,{{r|WIXY1260Book|p=115}} made the move after the station participated in a large-scale survey regarding music preferences among older age demographics that spanned 12,000 participants, 60 markets and 48 states.{{r|ECT19780208pD6}} The survey results helped Bremkamp and program director Dick Conrad move the playlist away from record store chart-driven selections when most charts were now dominated by customers 25 years old and younger, resulting in what Bremkamp called "a hodge-podge of hits". The format change also resulted in the dismissal of Ed Fisher after a 15-year run in morning drive on March 10, 1978.{{Cite news|date=March 11, 1978|title=Ed Fisher fired; 15 years at WJW|page=B2|work=Elyria Chronicle-Telegram|location=Elyria, Ohio|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/entertainment-clipping-mar-11-1978-2749006/|access-date=October 12, 2021|via=NewspaperArchive}} Fisher subsequently joined WQAL,{{Cite news|last=Vishnevsky|first=Zina|date=February 4, 1993|title=Edward Fisher, radio personality and television's Bozo the Clown|page=6D|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F80705BF80F2F71|url-access=subscription|access-date=October 13, 2021|via=NewsBank}} while WJW replaced him with veteran announcer Tom Armstrong.{{Cite news|last=Gottlieb|first=Ken|date=April 1, 1984|title=Chat-strong Armstrong: Talk has kept him on Cleveland radio for 40 years|pages=C1, [https://newspaperarchive.com/entertainment-clipping-apr-01-1984-2748559/ C4]|work=Elyria Chronicle-Telegram|location=Elyria, Ohio|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/entertainment-clipping-apr-01-1984-2748556/|access-date=October 12, 2021|via=NewspaperArchive}} Despite the programming changes, WJW continued to lose money on an annual basis.{{Cite news|last=Phipps|first=Peter|date=January 18, 1983|title=Some of Modell's ventures have fallen on hard times|page=A10|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86710892/some-of-modells-ventures-have-fallen-on/|access-date=October 13, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} WJW now found itself competing with FM stations for music listeners{{r|AkronB198207192}} in an environment where other AM stations were beginning to drop music entirely. The station significantly downscaled their news department in July 1980, dismissing news director Jim Hale and two reporters, but kept the CBS Radio newscasts in place.{{Cite news|date=July 31, 1980|title=WJW Radio slices three from news staff|page=G9|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86992359/wjw-radio-slices-three-from-news-staff/|access-date=October 13, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}

{{Quote box

| quote = I've never had a bankruptcy in my life and I wasn't going to start now. It was a matter of whether I wanted to stay in it anymore. I just folded, liquidated. We paid everyone off.

| author = Art Modell

| source = principal owner of WJW, on the closure of American Metal Forming Co. in 1982{{r|AkronB19830118}}

| align = right

| width = 300px

| qalign = left

| salign = right

}}

Compounding matters was a series of questionable investments made by Lake Erie principal Art Modell. Modell had previously purchased vacuum manufacturer Premier Electric in 1972 and stamper American Metal Forming Co. in 1977, but both companies closed in 1979 and 1982, respectively;{{Cite news|date=December 25, 1995|title=Modell's finances may not be as he described|page=7A|newspaper=News Journal|agency=Associated Press|location=Mansfield, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87035782/modells-finances-may-not-be-as-he-descr/|access-date=October 13, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} American Metal Forming was shuttered after Modell refused to enter bankruptcy and paid off all debts instead.{{r|AkronB19830118}} A group led by Modell purchased the Sheraton-Cleveland Hotel for $18 million in 1977, but Modell had to take out an additional $2 million loan against his holding company for Cleveland Stadium after two other investors had withdrawn.{{r|NewsJo19951225}} Rumors emerged in 1981 that Modell was under possible financial pressure to sell off WJW.{{r|AkronB198207192}} Gib Shanley's stake in Lake Erie was bought out in March 1982, followed by Bremkamp's stake in May 1982, with Modell and Al Lerner as the remaining investors.{{r|AkronB19830118}} Robert Gries, a minority owner of the Browns since their 1946 establishment,{{Cite web|date=March 18, 1982|title=Major Browns stockholder sues Modell|url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1982/03/18/Major-Browns-stockholder-sues-Modell/1697385275600/|access-date=October 12, 2021|website=UPI Archives|publisher=UPI|language=en}} later claimed in court that Modell faced "possible financial ruin" in the spring of 1982 and had been in debt since purchasing majority control of the team in 1961.{{Cite news|last=Phipps|first=Peter|date=June 23, 1984|title=Modell's bank debts date to 1961|pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86975527/modells-bank-debts-date-to-1961-p2/ B3]|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86975507/modells-bank-debts-date-to-1961/|access-date=October 13, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}

The MOR format was abandoned entirely in favor of talk radio on July 6, 1982.{{Cite magazine|last=Mehno|first=John|date=June 26, 1982|title=Format Turntable: Jocks Out In Cleveland|id={{ProQuest|1286411067}}|page=28|magazine=Billboard|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/80s/1982/BB-1982-06-26.pdf|access-date=December 22, 2019}} In a transitional process that began at the end of May 1982, news director Merle Pollis was promoted to program director and added a late-morning talk show, while WGAR news director John O'Day took over Pollis' prior position.{{Cite news|last=Bianculli|first=David|date=May 27, 1982|title=WMMM (sic), 349 stations to air unreleased Beatles music|page=D9|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/84060315/wmmm-sic-349-stations-to-air-unreleas/|access-date=October 12, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} The switch put WJW in direct competition with WERE, which despite being the lone talk station in the market, had recently dismissed multiple local hosts in favor of carrying ABC's Talkradio service.{{Cite news|last=Cook|first=Daniel|date=July 19, 1982|title=Cleveland stations battle for listeners|pages=B1–[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83855822/cleveland-stations-battle-for/ B2]|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83855785/cleveland-stations-battle-for-listeners/|access-date=October 12, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Multiple WERE hosts joined the new WJW, including Rich Barrett, psychologist Stephanie Neuman{{Cite news|date=August 19, 1982|title='Psych-jockeys' are popular attraction on the radio|page=32|newspaper=The Newark Advocate|location=Newark, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86712121/psych-jockeys-are-popular-attraction-o/|access-date=October 12, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} and WEWS newscaster Joel Rose. Early evenings featured strip programming ranging from law advice, health and entertainment, including a Friday sports show with Casey Coleman; overnights consisted of NBC Talknet programming.{{r|AkronB198205272}} Remaining music hosts Tom Armstrong,{{Cite news|date=June 2, 1982|title=WJW fires Armstrong|page=B2|work=Elyria Chronicle-Telegram|location=Elyria, Ohio|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/entertainment-clipping-jun-02-1982-2749082/|access-date=October 13, 2021|via=NewspaperArchive}} Joe Mayer, Ronnie Barrett and Carl Reese were all dismissed{{r|FormatTurntable}} while Armstrong resurfaced at adult standards-formatted WBBG as their morning host, even as he expressed reluctance over that station's tightly-programmed playlist.

WJW's ratings improved after the switch, pulling even with WERE and drawing more younger listeners in specific dayparts.{{Cite news|last=Gottlieb|first=Ken|date=July 21, 1984|title=Mellow rock, news and talk gain radio listeners|page=B4|work=Elyria Chronicle-Telegram|location=Elyria, Ohio|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/entertainment-clipping-jul-21-1984-2748988/|access-date=October 12, 2021|via=NewspaperArchive}} The station attracted attention when they partnered with the Cleveland Police for a four-hour drug abuse awareness program on January 20, 1983, encouraging listeners to call in with tips on any illegal activities; 50 suspected drug dealers were arrested over the course of the show.{{Cite news|date=January 21, 1983|title=Suspected Drug Dealers Nabbed|page=9|newspaper=Coshocton Tribune|agency=Associated Press|location=Coshocton, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86710914/suspected-drug-dealers-nabbed/|access-date=October 13, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Broadcasts of both Cleveland State University basketball and Cleveland Force were dropped with the format switch,{{Cite news|last=Shippy|first=Dick|date=July 7, 1982|title=Force coach making no promises|pages=D1-[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87002908/force-coach-making-no-promises-p2/ D2]|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87002867/force-coach-making-no-promises/|access-date=October 12, 2021|via=NewspaperArchive}} along with announcer Mike Snyder,{{Cite news|last=Jacob|first=Bob|date=October 6, 1982|title=Snyder seeks shot at big-time broadcasting|page=C5|work=Elyria Chronicle-Telegram|location=Elyria, Ohio|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/entertainment-clipping-oct-06-1982-2748978/|access-date=October 12, 2021|via=NewspaperArchive}} but the Force and Snyder returned to WJW in November 1983 as part of a two-station arrangement with the team and WAKR.{{Cite news|last=Shippy|first=Dick|date=November 4, 1983|title=Force coverage is better, but...|page=C4|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87003687/force-coverage-is-better-but/|access-date=October 12, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} WJW's news department remained smaller than WERE's, with only one street reporter on-staff;{{r|AkronB198207192}} a retrospective review cast the news department as "ordinary" while also citing Pollis and Rose as hosts "who make a lot of noise but seldom make sense".{{Cite news|last=Gottlieb|first=Ken|date=October 19, 1985|title=It's almost a Modell Miracle as WWWE rises in ratings|page=A8|work=Elyria Chronicle-Telegram|location=Elyria, Ohio|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/entertainment-clipping-oct-19-1985-2748581/|access-date=October 12, 2021|via=NewspaperArchive}} Joel Rose left both WJW and WEWS in December 1983 to focus on his broadcast consulting firm,{{Cite news|last=Dyer|first=Bob|date=December 29, 1983|title=After 25 years, Joel Rose turns off his mike Friday|page=40|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86711061/after-25-years-joel-roses-turns-off-his/|access-date=October 13, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} with Westinghouse Broadcasting as a main client.{{Cite news|last=Barrett|first=Bill|date=February 28, 1985|title='Jeopardy,' 'Wheel' Channel 5 fortunes|page=5C|newspaper=News Journal|location=Mansfield, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87004342/jeopardy-wheel-channel-5-fortunes/|access-date=October 13, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} While he initially found himself unable to keep the WJW show with the consulting arrangements,{{r|AkronB198312292}} Rose returned to WJW as a fill-in host by April 1984,{{Cite news|last=Barrett|first=Bill|date=April 19, 1984|title=TV set spilling over with data|page=5D|newspaper=News Journal|location=Mansfield, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/87004227/tv-set-spilling-over-with-data/|access-date=October 13, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} and eventually resumed full-time work.{{r|NewsJo198502282}}

File:1980-modell-browns crop.jpg owner Art Modell, who also owned WJW via parent company Lake Erie Broadcasting]]

WHK's longstanding radio contract for Browns games was set to expire at the end of the 1983 season, and Lake Erie made a substantial bid that included the team taking partial ownership of the station.{{Cite news|last=Phelps|first=Peter|date=February 11, 1984|title=WHK keeps Browns' games|page=B2|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|location=Akron, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86711128/whk-keeps-browns-games/|access-date=October 12, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} While Browns executive vice president James Bailey claimed WJW's bid was the best the team had received,{{r|AkronB198402112}} Robert Gries sued Modell on charges of anti-competitive practices on December 15, 1983.{{Cite news|date=December 16, 1983|title=Gries renews legal battle with Modell|page=15|newspaper=The News-Messenger|agency=Associated Press|location=Fremont, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86710843/gries-renews-legal-battle-with-modell/|access-date=October 12, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} This lawsuit was one of multiple Gries filed against Modell and the team during the 1980s, but was dismissed in court.{{Cite news|last=Schudel|first=Jeff|date=December 24, 1983|title=Modell wins court battle|page=17|newspaper=News Journal|location=Mansfield, Ohio|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86711093/modell-wins-court-battle/|access-date=October 12, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} WHK had the right to equal WJW's offer for the 1984 season, which it did the following February.{{r|AkronB198402112}} The Browns approved another offer by Lake Erie for the radio rights on February 18, 1985, but rumors quickly emerged about Lake Erie purchasing WWWE and WDOK from Gannett,{{Cite news|last=Gottlieb|first=Ken|date=February 23, 1985|title=Follow the bouncing Browns' broadcast ball|page=B4|work=Elyria Chronicle-Telegram|location=Elyria, Ohio|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/entertainment-clipping-feb-23-1985-2748498/|access-date=October 12, 2021|via=NewspaperArchive}} which occurred later in the month via a $9.5 million deal.{{Cite news|date=June 7, 1985|title=WJW's News/Talk Format Shifting To WWWE|pages=3–4|work=Radio & Records|issue=587|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1980s/1985/RR-1985-06-07.pdf|access-date=December 19, 2019|via=World Radio History}} This purchase required the sale of WJW due to existing FCC regulations, while Modell rejected speculation he and Al Lerner did not have enough money to consummate the deals.{{Cite news|last=Gottlieb|first=Ken|date=March 2, 1985|title=When Ron Bilek talks, WKYC-TV Channel 3 listens|page=B4|work=Elyria Chronicle-Telegram|location=Elyria, Ohio|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/entertainment-clipping-mar-02-1985-2749080/|access-date=October 13, 2021|via=NewspaperArchive}} WQAL owner WIN Communications, which was controlled by former Browns player Thom Darden, initially expressed interest in purchasing WJW as well.

Lake Erie ultimately sold WJW to WLTF owner Booth American for $2.1 million{{Cite news|date=June 7, 1985|title=Popovich OM At New WLTF & WRMR Combo|pages=3–4|work=Radio & Records|issue=587|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1980s/1985/RR-1985-06-07.pdf|access-date=December 19, 2019|via=World Radio History}} on February 28, 1985.{{Cite news|date=March 1, 1985|title=Detroit firm buys WJW-AM|page=B8|work=Elyria Chronicle-Telegram|agency=Associated Press|location=Elyria, Ohio|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/entertainment-clipping-mar-01-1985-2748466/|access-date=October 12, 2021|via=NewspaperArchive}} Having successfully sold off WABQ in 1980, Booth desired a full-time AM station to complement WLTF and to help further compete for additional national advertising revenue.{{r|WJWSoldToBoothCPD}} Lake Erie elected to keep the WWWE call sign but "move" WJW's talk format onto WWWE,{{Cite news|last=Shippy|first=Dick|date=May 31, 1985|title=Dieken wants to move his line to the radio|page=B5|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85577422/dieken-wants-to-move-his-line-to-the/|access-date=September 19, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} and Booth planned to relaunch WJW outright as WRMR.{{r|PopovichOM}}{{cite news|author=Dyer|first=Bob|date=June 12, 1985|title=Changes on the radio dial|page=C7|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85577643/changes-on-the-radio-dial/|access-date=September 19, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} The majority of WJW air talent and management—including general manager Art Caruso—were reassigned to WWWE,{{Cite news|last=Gottlieb|first=Ken|date=May 25, 1985|title=Modell group about to take over WWWE and WDOK|page=A8|work=Elyria Chronicle-Telegram|location=Elyria, Ohio|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/entertainment-clipping-may-25-1985-2748433/|access-date=October 12, 2021|via=NewspaperArchive}} which dismissed announcers Jack Reynolds, Fig Newton and Bruce Drennan{{Cite news|last=Gottlieb|first=Ken|date=June 15, 1985|title=Channel 3's 60 minutes not discouraged by ratings|page=B4|work=Elyria Chronicle-Telegram|location=Elyria, Ohio|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/entertainment-clipping-jun-15-1985-2748458/|access-date=October 12, 2021|via=NewspaperArchive}} and nine other staffers,{{r|CPDAllSportsEggs}} while WWWE program director Ray Marshall assumed the same position at WRMR.{{r|PopovichOM}} Lake Erie transferred the Browns rights to WWWE; Caruso and O'Day were tasked with hiring new announcers for the Browns games on WWWE while still operating WJW.{{r|Akro850531}} WWWE retained Cleveland Indians and Cavaliers play-by-play{{r|Akro850612}} along with Pete Franklin's Sportsline, placing the radio rights for all three Cleveland pro sports teams on the same radio station for the first time.{{r|CPDAllSportsEggs}}

For the last week prior to the change, WJW aired promos for both the talk format's "new home" on WWWE, and for WRMR's forthcoming launch.{{Cite news|date=June 5, 1985|title=Radio stations to switch next week|page=8E|work=The Plain Dealer|location=Cleveland, Ohio}} Marvin Cade "signed off" WJW for the final time{{r|Marvin Cade}} before the call sign change at 11:00 a.m. on June 11, 1985,{{r|PopovichOM}} followed by Cleveland mayor George Voinovich pressing a ceremonial switch that completed WWWE's flip to WJW's prior talk format.{{r|ECT19850615pB4}} Cade's announcement also gave him the distinction of being both the first and last voice heard on WJW radio during its existence in Cleveland.{{r|Marvin Cade}} Newspaper reports recognized the transaction as WJW having "a new location on the radio dial"{{Cite news|date=June 12, 1985|title=WJW changes its name, place on dial|page=C2|work=The News Reporter|agency=Associated Press|location=Dover, Ohio|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/entertainment-clipping-jun-12-1985-2748441/|access-date=October 12, 2021|via=NewspaperArchive}} or that "WWWE... became, in (essence), WJW",{{r|Akro850612}} while in reality, WJW simply changed call letters to WRMR and changed format from talk to MOR.{{r|CPDAllSportsEggs}} Storer filed paperwork with the FCC to change WJKW's call sign back to WJW-TV as soon as the sale of WJW was complete, a request made in part "for old times sake".{{Cite news|date=September 11, 1985|title=Channel 8 takes WJW call letters|page=10F|work=The Plain Dealer|location=Cleveland, Ohio}} Despite having been known as WJKW for eight years, the TV station was still frequently referred to by viewers as "WJW".{{r|ECT19850914pA6}} While the FCC no longer issues three-letter call signs, they allowed the change to take place via a waiver on September 16, 1985,{{Cite news|date=September 11, 1985|title='Monday Football' with Joe Namath off to super start|page=B6|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85577328/monday-football-with-joe-namath/|access-date=September 19, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} albeit at a slower pace than channel 8 management had expected, delaying a marketing campaign related to the new name.{{r|ECT19850914pA6}}

{{for|the Cleveland radio station which identified as WRMR from 2003 to 2005|WHK (AM)}}

File:850 WRMR.png logo]]

WRMR's MOR format boasted an airstaff of multiple Cleveland broadcast veterans at launch.{{r|Akro850612}} In addition to programming duties, Ray Marshall hosted afternoons and was joined by Ted Alexander of WBBG and John E. Douglas of WHK, while WLTF program director Dave Popovich became operations manager for both stations.{{r|PopovichOM}} Transtar Radio Networks's "Formula 41" satellite service aired in the evenings and overnights.{{Cite news|last=Dyer|first=Bob|date=February 15, 1987|title=Package deals rate big on stations' playlists|page=H2|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44379153/package-deals-rate-big-on-stations/|access-date=September 19, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} WRMR's older-sounding format was aimed at the 40–49 age group{{r|Akro850612}} as a counterpart to WLTF's "lite rock" format, targeting listeners who did not want to hear a traditional easy-listening station.{{r|CPDAllSportsEggs}} A second-story addition was built at WLTF's downtown studios.{{r|PopovichOM}} Ratings for WRMR during this period were low, typically attributed to the station's {{val|5000|fmt=commas|u=watt}} signal, seen as weak by comparison to other stations{{Cite news|last=Dyer|first=Bob|date=January 30, 1988|title=Cavs end contract with WWWE|page=B8|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85640206/cavs-end-contract-with-wwwe/|access-date=September 19, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} but WWWE saw an immediate surge in listenership after adopting the former WJW format.{{r|ModellMiracle}} An AM stereo converter was installed on the WRMR transmitter upon the station's debut,{{r|CPDAllSportsEggs}} with Booth executive Gordon Stenback having been a major proponent of the technology.{{Cite news|last=Frolik|first=Joe|date=March 4, 1985|title=Modell-Lerner deal jolts local radio|page=6D|work=The Plain Dealer|location=Cleveland, Ohio}} WRMR became the second AM station in Cleveland to broadcast in stereo after WGAR, and was also joined by WAKR in Akron.{{Cite news|last=Dawidziak|first=Mark|date=May 31, 1984|title=Few can hear AM stereo, but No. 1 WAKR sending it|page=D10|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83623668/few-can-hear-am-stereo-but-no-1-wakr/|access-date=August 17, 2021}}

WRMR took advantage of WBBG's October 1987 abandonment of adult standards{{Cite news|last=Dyer|first=Bob|date=October 29, 1987|title=WBBG changing its tune|page=C14|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85636208/wbbg-changing-its-tune/|access-date=September 19, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} by adding a syndicated show hosted by Ray Otis for Sunday mornings which had previously been heard on WBBG.{{Cite news|last=Dyer|first=Bob|date=December 27, 1987|title=Cleveland's WNCX looks southward|page=F2|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85637281/clevelands-wncx-looks-southward/|access-date=September 19, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} That move was a quick precursor to WRMR switching to the Music of Your Life (MOYL) full-time on January 1, 1988, headed up by former WBBG programmer Jim Davis, who also hosted the midday shift.{{Cite news|last=Dyer|first=Bob|date=January 3, 1988|title=Browns song already outdated; another on way|page=H2|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85635974/browns-song-already-outdated-another/|access-date=September 19, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Davis was joined by two other radio veterans, "Tall Ted" (Alfred) Hallaman{{Cite news|last=Segall|first=Grant|date=October 23, 2010|title=Alfred Hallaman, 'Tall Ted' on radio|page=B5|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F1331B2A19BD6B198|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 21, 2021|via=NewsBank}} and a returning Carl Reese, fixtures in the market since 1960{{Cite news|date=December 12, 1993|title=Unifier and Shelter, Y is close second to Mom, Pop|page=1H|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F8079741298F72F|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 21, 2021|quote=Radio personality Ted Hallaman, new in town 33 years ago when he showed up from Youngstown to work at WGAR...|via=NewsBank}} and 1953,{{Cite news|last=Murphey|first=Fran|date=July 9, 1993|title=A growing convention|page=C2|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85638194/a-growing-convention/|access-date=September 19, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} respectively. The station added flagship rights to the Cleveland Cavaliers Radio Network starting with the 1988–89 season,{{r|Akro880130}} a move made by Joe Tait, who had assumed responsibilities for Cavaliers broadcast production. The team selected WRMR due to WWWE's Indians commitments repeatedly taking priority over the Cavs, with multiple games during the team's 1988 playoff run airing on WRMR due to scheduling conflicts, prompting Tait to ask, "why are we leaving WWWE when our most important games weren't even on WWWE?"{{Cite news|last=Pluto|first=Terry|author-link=Terry Pluto|date=October 1, 1988|title=Tait has made changes in Cavs' radio and TV setup|page=C2|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85639995/tait-has-made-changes-in-cavs-radio/|access-date=September 19, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}

1989 ended with a two-station exchange between Booth American and the Independent Group Ltd., which had purchased WWWE and WDOK in 1987.{{Cite news|last=Dyer|first=Bob|date=December 23, 1989|title=Detroit group buys WWWE Radio|page=A10|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85641182/detroit-group-buys-wwwe-radio/|access-date=September 22, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Announced on December 22, 1989, Booth American purchased WWWE from Independent Group—controlled by Tom Embrescia, Tom Wilson and Larry Pollock—and concurrently sold WRMR to Independent Group.{{Cite news|last=Yerak|first=Rebecca|date=December 23, 1989|title=Owners of WWWE, WRMR trade chairs in $10 million deal|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F173D9D0C6A4142C0|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 22, 2021|via=NewsBank}}{{Cite news|date=January 1, 1990|title=Changing Hands|volume=118|page=115|work=Broadcasting|issue=1|id={{ProQuest|1014733140}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1990/BC-1990-01-01.pdf|access-date=December 21, 2019|via=World Radio History}} Booth retained the Cavaliers radio rights and transferred them back to WWWE,{{Cite news|last=Dolgan|first=Bob|date=October 11, 1990|title=Cavs games returning to powerful WWWE|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F173EA9844A325230|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 21, 2021|via=NewsBank}} while also purchasing the production rights to the Indians and Browns networks from Wilson's Sports Marketing firm.{{Cite news|last=Pluto|first=Terry|author-link=Terry Pluto|date=December 23, 1989|title=Cavaliers throw one away in loss to Bucks|pages=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85641232/cavaliers-throw-one-away-in-loss-to/ C4]|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85766905/cavaliers-throw-one-away-in-loss-to/|access-date=September 22, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Embrescia, Wilson and Pollock retained the ability to hire Herb Score's WWWE broadcast partner for the 1990 Indians season with Booth's blessing,{{Cite news|date=January 3, 1990|title=Embrescia group will pick voice|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F173F0133AF2974B0|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 21, 2021|via=NewsBank}} selecting Tom Hamilton.{{Cite news|last=Dolgan|first=Bob|date=January 17, 1990|title=Hamilton named Tribe announcer|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F173F010310199118|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 22, 2021|via=NewsBank}} Consummation was delayed for several months due to obscenity charges levied against former WWWE host Gary Dee, whose firing prompted the exchange.{{Cite news|last=Dyer|first=Bob|date=June 24, 1990|title=Upcoming WWWE purge not a well-kept secret|page=G2|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44358742/upcoming-wwwe-purge-not-a-well-kept/|access-date=September 19, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} When the deal did close on June 25, 1990, some on- and off-air personnel were reassigned between the two stations.{{Cite news|date=June 29, 1990|id={{ProQuest|1017228591}}|title=Cleveland Upheavals Reshape Market: Booth-Independent Swap Spurs Changes At WWWE, WRMR; WQAL Names PD; New Management At WGAR (AM)|pages=1, 30|work=Radio & Records|issue=846|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1990/RR-1990-06-29.pdf|access-date=December 21, 2019|via=World Radio History}} Jim Davis and Carl Reese were retained, but Ted Hallaman was not,{{r|Akro900624}} resulting in Reese and Davis temporarily hosting six-hour airshifts.{{Cite news|last=Sowd|first=David|date=July 7, 1990|title=Lite Rock' wins ratings war|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F173EFEF4ACDB17E0|url-access=subscription|access-date=August 20, 2021|via=NewsBank}} Once referred to as "Cleveland's first radio personality",{{r|TedHallamanObit}} Hallaman subsequently worked at Willoughby's WELW prior to rejoining WRMR in 1994.{{Cite news|last=Strassmeyer|first=Mary|date=April 12, 1994|title=Roberts' film to be shot here|page=10E|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F807CBC2E6C9E71|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 21, 2021|via=NewsBank}}

{{Quote box

| quote = This music is not archaic, and it has enormous validity. It's current; it has that hot sting of immediacy. This stuff is always on the cutting edge. All someone has to do is play it. That's what I do, and it's a blast.

| author = Bill Randle

| align = right

| width = 250px

| qalign = left

| salign = right

}}

The station added Bill Randle for afternoon drive and Sunday afternoons on August 16, 1992.{{Cite news|last=Strassmeyer|first=Mary|date=August 18, 1992|title=A legend returns to airwaves|page=9D|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F803C802F8F5A85|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 21, 2021|via=NewsBank}} Proclaimed as "the most influential DJ in America" by Time in 1955, and regarded as a "rock and roll trailblazer"{{cite web|last=Hodermarsky|first=Mark|date=September 19, 2015|title=Bill Randle, rock 'n' roll trailblazer and local disc jockey, deserves rock's Ahmet Ertegun Award|url=https://www.cleveland.com/opinion/2015/09/consider_rock_n_roll_trailblaz.html|access-date=September 21, 2021|website=cleveland.com|publisher=The Plain Dealer|language=en}} in the same vein as Alan Freed, Randle was a market veteran at multiple stations since his 1949 arrival in Cleveland.{{Cite news|last=Rogers|first=Mike|date=November 27, 2010|title=Looking back at the legend of radio pioneer Bill Randle|page=E4|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F133D3F148514DF70|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 21, 2021|via=NewsBank}} Most notably, Randle was the first radio personality in the northern United States to play Elvis Presley while at both WERE and New York's WCBS{{Cite book|last1=Olszewski|first1=Mike|title=Cleveland Radio Tales|last2=Olszewski|first2=Janice|publisher=Gray & Company, Publishers|year=2017|isbn=978-1-938441-90-5|location=Cleveland, Ohio}}{{Rp|143}} in 1955, working seven days a week at both stations in the mid-1950s.{{Cite news|last=O'Connor|first=Clint|date=July 10, 2004|title=1923-2004: DJ legend Bill Randle dead at 81|page=A1|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F103C2FAFDDE77EAE|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 21, 2021|via=NewsBank}} Additionally dabbling as a lawyer, college professor and writer,{{Cite news|last=Feran|first=Tom|date=July 18, 2004|title=Hard to comprehend the life of Bill Randle|page=J1|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F1048B5C4EBEC5BC3|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 21, 2021|via=NewsBank}} Randle refused to adhere to a playlist upon joining WRMR and objected to the term "nostalgia",{{Cite news|last=Santiago|first=Roberto|date=August 27, 1992|title=None dare call Randle's WRMR show "nostalgia"|page=12F|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F803CAAF8F6BBC8|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 21, 2021|via=NewsBank}} bringing a dynamism rarely seen in the adult standards format.{{Cite news|last=Drexler|first=Michael|date=June 6, 1994|title=It's not just Mama's music: WRMR plays to young ears|page=6E|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F807D094371920E|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 21, 2021|via=NewsBank}} His arrival at WRMR coincided with the sale of rights for the unfinished short film The Pied Piper of Cleveland to PolyGram Filmed Entertainment,{{Cite news|last=Strassmeyer|first=Mary|date=January 3, 1993|title=Memories: Some were sweet, but some were bad|page=2G|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F806F60B42ECE26|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 21, 2021|via=NewsBank}} purportedly containing footage of Elvis's October 20, 1955, concert at Brooklyn High School, his first appearance "north of the Mason–Dixon line";{{Cite news|last=Scott|first=Jane|author-link=Jane Scott (rock critic)|date=October 21, 1995|title=Teacher-turned-Elvis shakes things up at memorial show|page=7B|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F80867C5C908ECB|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 21, 2021|via=NewsBank}}{{Cite news|date=August 10, 2009|title=Rock hall to honor 'Austin City Limits'|work=Hollywood Reporter|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/rock-hall-honor-austin-city-87503/|access-date=September 21, 2021}} after the concert, Randle predicted Elvis was "going to be the biggest star in America".{{r|CPDBillRandleObit}} Echoing his past glory as a "hitmaker", when approached by WRMR's Irish Hour host Gerry Quinn about Irish trumpeter Johnny Carroll, Randle requested a Carroll record and played it on his show to enthusiastic reception.{{Cite news|last=Scott|first=Jane|author-link=Jane Scott (rock critic)|date=February 17, 1995|title=Irish Trumpeter to blow into town|page=21|work=The Plain Dealer Friday Magazine|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F808415BA382656|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 21, 2021|via=NewsBank}}

Ronnie Barrett also returned to {{Frequency|850|AM}} when he was hired upon the Independent Group takeover,{{r|Akro900624}} helming big band-oriented Swinging Saturday Night,{{Cite news|last=Strassmeyer|first=Mary|date=June 21, 1990|title=Koala Blue boutiques are coming|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F173D9D27323E0F80|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 21, 2021|via=NewsBank}} the endcap to a career which spanned a dozen stations.{{Cite news|last=Peery|first=Richard M.|date=May 5, 2005|title=Ronnie Barrett, 79, popular deejay who worked in radio's golden era|page=B5|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F109EBB466332C160|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 21, 2021|via=NewsBank}} Wayne Mack, a radio announcer since 1931, onetime sidekick to Jack Paar at WGAR and co-founder of WDOK (1260 AM),{{Cite news|last=Scott|first=Jane|author-link=Jane Scott (rock critic)|date=August 25, 1996|title=Mack's still in town: Radio personality hasn't retired|page=2J|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F808D2DAAD59D79|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 4, 2021|via=NewsBank}} joined WRMR in 1993 to host a Friday night ballroom dance program titled The Palace Ballroom Fantasy Show.{{Cite news|last=Santiago|first=Roberto|date=January 21, 1993|title=Limbaugh in Rush to lampoon Clinton|page=16E|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F806FEA445B8412|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 21, 2021|via=NewsBank}} The program itself was a revival of a similar "theatre of the mind" program Mack presided over at WDOK in the 1950s.{{r|Scott 2J}} Tom Embrescia's father, Fred Embrescia, served as WRMR's public relations director and also became a regular guest on both Randle and Reese's programs.{{Cite news|last=Guenther|first=Wally|date=June 12, 2008|title=Fred Embrescia, radio personality|page=B5|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F12148845C7A083C0|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 21, 2021|via=NewsBank}} Along with the tenured airstaff, WRMR boasted two younger announcers, Frank Macek and engineer Anthony Parker, who did weekend and fill-in duties. Plain Dealer columnist Mary Strassmeyer put Macek—who also was the station's assistant program director{{Cite news|last=Strassmeyer|first=Mary|date=September 28, 1995|title=One for Guinness Book, Make-A-Wish|page=7B|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F8085D50E2B0277|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 21, 2021|via=NewsBank}}—on the same footing as Randle, Reese and Barrett, once complementing all four in her newspaper column "for bringing class to Cleveland radio".

The station repeatedly drew respectable ratings but was perceived as an "underperformer" because it approached older demographics less attractive to ad agencies; as a result, WRMR had less commercials than the competition, but Randle's bankruptcy law firm was a frequent advertiser.{{Cite news|last=Murphey|first=Fran|date=January 7, 1994|title=Grid picks, travel pics|page=C2|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85681546/grid-picks-travel-pics/|access-date=September 21, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Jim Davis was credited for "opening up the format" by allowing the air talent to select their own music like Randle, making the format palatable to younger listeners but also respecting the core audience. Enjoying alternative rock and jazz as much as big bands, Randle frequently wove contemporary music from acts like Shania Twain, Jewel and *NSYNC into his airshift{{r|CPDBillRandleObit}} and was one of the first to play 13-year-old LeAnn Rimes on the air.{{r|OlszewskiOlszewski2017|p=141}} Davis held an affinity for big bands, stating that the genre's enduring popularity into the mid-1990s was because "most if it is really good music".{{Cite news|last=O'Connor|first=Clint|date=August 13, 1995|title=War era left lasting mark on pop culture|page=10S|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F8084F6F2D94787|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 21, 2021|via=NewsBank}} Despite the older demographics, WRMR overachieved in the format with twice the audience share of most standards stations and became the top-rated AM station in the Cleveland market.{{r|WarEraPopCulture}} Davis also served as the operations director for Al Ham's MOYL satellite service concurrent with his WRMR programming duties.{{cite web|date=January 20, 2004|title=Jim Davis|url=http://www.wrmr1420.com/skin/blurb.php?sectionId=176&contentId=23613|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040409180037/http://www.wrmr1420.com/skin/blurb.php?sectionId=176&contentId=23613|archive-date=April 9, 2004|access-date=September 22, 2021|website=WRMR1420.com|publisher=Radio Seaway}}

Ted Hallaman took a medical leave of absence at the end of 1997{{Cite news|last=Brown|first=Roger|date=January 19, 1998|title=WZJM making strides|page=5E|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F80CF56D696F028|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 23, 2021|via=NewsBank}} for what had turned out to be heart surgery, prompting station veteran and chief engineer Ted Alexander to fill in for him in morning drive.{{Cite news|date=May 6, 1998|title=WRMR's Ted Hallaman back at mike after heart surgery|page=D2|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85872470/wrmrs-ted-hallaman-back-at-mike-after/|access-date=September 23, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Prior to his return, WRMR opted to move Hallaman to afternoons and installed Randle in morning drive on April 13, 1998.{{Cite news|last=Brown|first=Roger|date=April 7, 1998|title=Indians baseball moves down dial to WTAM|page=6E|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F80CFC6AB5A4068|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 23, 2021|via=NewsBank}} Plain Dealer radio critic Roger Brown hailed the move as giving WRMR "a much-needed morning boost" with Randle's "vibrant and contemporary... feisty attitude".{{Cite news|last=Brown|first=Roger|date=April 13, 1998|title=Bill Randle takes over in mornings|page=1E|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F80CFCF74B7B16E|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 23, 2021|via=NewsBank}} With the switch, the airstaff additionally boasted Carl Reese in middays, market veteran Chris Quinn in evenings, and Ronnie Barrett in overnights. The move paid off, with WRMR achieving record ratings in the 12+ demographic and placing among the top 10 adult standards stations in Arbitron Fall 1999 rankings in both AQH and cume, the only station to do so.

File:WKNR transmitter site.jpg. Activated in 1999, it replaced a previous tower array built in 1959, and has been used for broadcasting since 1943.]]

While WRMR operated at {{val|10000|fmt=commas|u=watts}} during the day since 1959, it had been capable of a power upgrade but deferred due to logistics, costs and FCC requirements.{{r|WRMRokFor50kW}} Work began on a facility upgrade to {{val|50000|fmt=commas|u=watts}} daytime upon the Independent Group takeover, with an initial proposal of a new six-tower transmitter site in Granger Township,{{Cite news|last=Boruvka|first=Joanne|date=September 14, 1993|title=Trustees tell firm to apply for rezoning|page=C4|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85639051/trustees-tell-firm-to-apply-for-rezoning/|access-date=September 23, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} but it failed to get local government approval after NIMBY opposition by area residents.{{Cite news|last=Dyer|first=Bob|date=September 19, 1993|title=Letterman letters can't sway WJW|page=D2|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85863734/letterman-letters-cant-sway-wjw/|access-date=September 23, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Ultimately, WRMR rebuilt their transmitter site in North Royalton, a process that took nearly one year to complete, while also taking their auxiliary site offline; because of this, the station was off the air for nearly two days in July 1998 when the transmitter failed following a thunderstorm.{{Cite news|date=July 25, 1998|title=WRMR, knocked off air, resumes broadcasting|page=4E|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F80D04C26F8F0BB|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 23, 2021|via=NewsBank}} Parts were sourced from St. Louis and shipped to Cleveland, while the station received thousands of phone calls from listeners.{{Cite news|date=July 24, 1998|title=Transmitter fails; radio station silent|page=C6|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85865132/transmitter-fails-radio-station-silent/|access-date=September 23, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} The FCC approved the upgrade on May 26, 1999, allowing WRMR to switch daytime power to {{val|50000|fmt=commas|u=watts}} at noon on May 28, becoming the third AM station in the market to operate at that power level after WTAM and WKNR.{{Cite news|last=Feran|first=Tom|date=May 28, 1999|title=Radio station WRMR receives OK for 50,000 watts from FCC|page=5B|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F80D3FA18E8EC7A|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 23, 2021|via=NewsBank}} WRMR's daytime signal remained weak to the southeast in order to avoid interference with Johnstown's WKGE,{{cite web|author=Fybush, Scott|date=February 12–19, 2004|title=Cleveland's Parma/Brecksville/Seven Hills Tower Farm|url=http://www.fybush.com/sites/2004/site-040212.html|work=Fybush.com|publisher=Scott Fybush|access-date=January 1, 2007}} but now became easily receivable in Ashtabula, Youngstown, Dayton, London, Ontario, and Detroit.{{r|WRMRokFor50kW}}

The biggest change, however, occurred on August 12, 1998, when Irving-based Chancellor Media Corporation announced three concurrent transactions. Chancellor purchased WRMR and WDOK from Independent Group, along with WQAL from investment fund M.L. Media Partners and WZJM, WZAK and WJMO from Zapis Communications, all for a combined $275 million.{{Cite news|last=Brown|first=Roger|date=August 12, 1998|title=Texas broadcaster buys 6 local stations: Sale is biggest in Cleveland radio history|page=1B|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F80D05BCB8FA6F2|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 23, 2021|via=NewsBank}} This was, at the time, the largest deal{{cite news|date=August 13, 1998|title=Company News; Chancellor Media to Buy Six Cleveland Radio Stations|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/08/13/business/company-news-chancellor-media-to-buy-six-cleveland-radio-stations.html|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=January 1, 2007}} and the "richest deal" in Cleveland radio history.{{r|CapstarBuysSix}}{{Cite news|last=Thompson|first=Richard|date=August 13, 1998|title=Radio deal shakes up Cleveland|pages=E1–[https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85840207/radio-deal-shakes-up-cleveland-p2/ E2]|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85840181/radio-deal-shakes-up-cleveland/|access-date=September 23, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} The joint sale came after Jacor amassed a dominant position in the market by purchasing WTAM and WLTF in April 1997{{Cite news|last=Brown|first=Roger|date=March 24, 1997|title=Jacor officials interested in WTAM, WLTF|page=7D|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F80C5484A79F4B4|url-access=subscription|access-date=August 22, 2021|via=NewsBank}}{{Cite news|last=Brown|first=Roger|date=April 30, 1997|title=What does Jacor plan at new stations?|page=5E|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F80C596626443C4|url-access=subscription|access-date=August 22, 2021|via=NewsBank}} and WKNR by August 1997{{cite web|date=August 19, 1997|title=Jacor: Acquires Sports Leader WKNR, Cleveland|url=http://www.cfonews.com/jcor/c081997a.txt|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511081821/http://www.cfonews.com/jcor/c081997a.txt|archive-date=May 11, 2008|access-date=2009-08-28|publisher=Corporate Financials Online, Inc.}} and merging into Nationwide Communications by October 1997,{{Cite news|last=Adams|first=David|date=October 31, 1997|title=Fate of WKNR still hangs in balance|page=D10|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83534296/fate-of-wknr-still-hangs-in-balance/|access-date=August 16, 2021}} making it impossible for the other groups to remain competitive financially.{{r|CapstarBuysSix}} M.L. Media Partners had sought to sell WQAL as early as April 1997,{{r|JacorPlans}} and after Independent Group and Zapis failed to close a joint $45 million purchase for WQAL, all three groups united to sell outright.{{r|Akro980813}} The newly formed cluster would soon be joined by WKNR{{Cite news|last=Brown|first=Roger|date=December 6, 1998|title=These may be local radio's good old days|page=1I|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F80D0E181755F63|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 23, 2021|via=NewsBank}} after Chancellor's merger with Capstar Broadcasting {{age in years and days|1998|08|12|1998|08|27}} later;{{cite news|last=Golz|first=Earl|date=August 28, 1998|title=Capstar sale creates giant broadcaster|pages=D1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85841217/capstar-sale-creates-giant-broadcaster/ D8]|work=Austin American-Statesman|publisher=Cox Enterprises|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85841160/capstar-sale-creates-giant-broadcaster/|access-date=September 23, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Capstar acquired WKNR from Jacor earlier in the month via a trade in order to complete Jacor's buyout of Nationwide.{{Cite news|last=Souhrada|first=Paul|date=August 11, 1998|title=Cleveland's WKNR traded for Pittsburgh station|page=C7|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83456787/clevelands-wknr-traded-for-pittsburgh/|access-date=August 14, 2021}}

Lee Zapis, whose family had owned WZAK since 1963,{{r|Akro980813}} expressed regret on selling their properties, a feeling shared by Tom Embrescia, calling it a "very tough, emotional thing to do".{{r|CapstarBuysSix}} Embresica admitted that Chancellor did not exactly meet their asking price, but liked their style and felt listeners would be well-served.{{Cite news|last=Rathburn|first=Elizabeth A.|date=August 17, 1998|title=Chancellor rocks Cleveland|id={{ProQuest|1014764438}}|volume=128|page=85|work=Broadcasting & Cable|issue=34|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1998/BC-1998-08-17.pdf|access-date=September 23, 2021|via=World Radio History}} WCLV's co-founder and president Robert Conrad mused after the flurry of purchases, "the glory days for radio in this town are over"{{r|GoodOlDays}} as WCLV had become the only station left in the market with local ownership interests.{{r|Akro980813}} Changes soon trickled down to WRMR. Evening voice Chris Quinn was dismissed and replaced with automation, with Quinn calling himself and other air talent "a budget item now".{{r|GoodOlDays}} WDOK/WRMR program director Sue Wilson left to focus on freelance and her voice-over agency,{{Cite news|last=Feran|first=Tom|date=May 18, 1999|title=NBC fall lineup has changes on every night|page=1E|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F80D3BFC9654AAC|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 23, 2021|via=NewsBank}}{{Cite news|id={{ProQuest|1017218352}}|date=May 21, 1999|title=Street Talk|pages=26, 29–30|work=Radio & Records|issue=1300|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1999/RR-1999-05-21.pdf|access-date=September 23, 2021|via=World Radio History}} her replacement was onetime general manager{{Cite news|date=November 8, 1991|id={{ProQuest|1017248162}}|title=Embrescia Now Managing WRMR & WDOK|page=3|work=Radio & Records|issue=915|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1991/RR-1991-11-08.pdf|access-date=September 23, 2021|via=World Radio History}} Joe Restifo.{{Cite news|last=Jacobson|first=Adam|date=April 28, 2000|title=Seven Decades Of Hits: WRMR/Cleveland combines heritage and veteran DJs to attract listeners|page=22|work=Radio & Records|issue=1348|id={{ProQuest|1017340342}}|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2000/RR-2000-04-28.pdf|access-date=September 23, 2021|via=World Radio History}} Ted Alexander, who built WRMR's {{val|50000|fmt=commas|u=watt}} transmitter facility,{{r|WRMRokFor50kW}} became the station's late-morning host in September 1999{{Cite news|last=Feran|first=Tom|date=September 4, 1999|title=It's revolving forecasters for WOIO and WUAB|page=6E|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F80D6A921D13268|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 23, 2021|via=NewsBank}} but left by that November to join WELW; Alexander, who helped build and sign on WELW in 1965, hailed that station as "an oasis" from corporate radio.{{Cite news|last=Feran|first=Tom|date=November 17, 1999|title=South Euclid native lands a spot on 'ER'|page=1E|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F80D96B5697F329|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 23, 2021|via=NewsBank}}

After Capstar's merger with Chancellor Media was completed on July 13, 1999, the combined entity was renamed AMFM, Inc. On October 3, 1999, only {{age in years and days|1999|07|13|1999|10|03}} after AMFM's creation, Clear Channel Communications—which itself merged into Jacor earlier in the year—purchased AMFM, Inc. for $17.4 billion.{{cite news|date=1999-10-04|title=Clear Channel gets AMFM|work=CNNMoney|url=https://money.cnn.com/1999/10/04/deals/clear/|url-status=live|access-date=2011-11-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110105744/http://money.cnn.com/1999/10/04/deals/clear/|archive-date=November 10, 2012|df=mdy-all}} Clear Channel elected to divest the entire seven-station AMFM cluster, selling WRMR and WKNR to Salem Communications on May 6, 2000,{{Cite news|last=Thomas|first=George|date=May 7, 2000|title=Firm sells five radio stations in region|pages=D7, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83449737/firm-sells-five-radio-stations-in/ D12]|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83449705/firm-sells-five-radio-stations-in-region/|access-date=August 14, 2021}} a deal that closed on July 20.{{cite press release|title=Justice Department Requires Clear Channel and AMFM to Divest 99 Radio Stations in 27 Markets. Required Sale is Largest Radio Divestiture Ever|publisher=U.S. Department of Justice|date=July 20, 2000|url=http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2000/July/415at.htm|access-date=2007-01-01}} Speculation was raised about the futures of both WRMR and WKNR under Salem ownership, including format changes at either station or asset swaps with another company.{{Cite news|last=Feran|first=Tom|date=July 4, 2000|title=Ownership juggling of radio stations is nearing finale|page=6E|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F80DB86384619F4|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 23, 2021|via=NewsBank}} Salem had entered the market in April 1996 by purchasing WHK{{cite news|last=Brown|first=Roger|date=April 26, 1996|title=WHK sold to West Coast firm|pages=6E|work=The Plain Dealer|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CPDB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0F808CB81021E3FD&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated4&req_dat=0D1C2ED46ABD2E15|access-date=2007-01-01}} and installing on that station a Christian radio format,{{Cite news|last=Lebovitz|first=Hal|author-link=Hal Lebovitz|date=July 2, 1996|title=Sports talk shows more than 'good radio'|page=4C|work=Mansfield News Journal|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83450560/sports-talk-shows-more-than-good-radio/|access-date=August 14, 2021}} a core component of their religious and "family-friendly" programming.{{r|WKNRSaleSalem2}} When the deal closed on August 25, 2000, Salem executives pledged to keep all current formats on their newly acquired stations in place.{{Cite news|last=Feran|first=Tom|date=August 28, 2000|title=Final sale of stations paves way for merger|page=7E|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F80DBC3B5767DCE|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 23, 2021|via=NewsBank}}

Errol Dengler was appointed as general manager for the Salem Cleveland cluster, having previously managed WJMO, WZJM and WZAK.{{Cite news|last=Feran|first=Tom|date=November 24, 2000|title=Lighting fete, parade on live|page=7D|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F80DC211C71E931|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 22, 2021|via=NewsBank}} Staffing for WRMR was moved to and consolidated at Salem's studio facility in Independence, with Jim Davis reassuming operational duties.{{r|WRMRBumpedOffAir}} Several non-music programming was added to the station, including Kelly & Company—a brokered talk show hosted by Tom Kelly with sportscaster Bruce Drennan as a contributor—in afternoon drive.{{r|DOTouchThatDial}} WRMR also signed up to carry Cleveland Rockers WNBA basketball games starting with the 2001 season,{{Cite news|last=Peticca|first=Mike|date=May 3, 2001|title=Rockers try to replace retired leader|page=6D|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F12FC86BAD8373418|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 23, 2021|via=NewsBank}} along with Ohio University Bobcats college football and basketball.{{Cite news|last=Brown|first=Roger|date=May 18, 2001|title=If Fratello is ready, Paxson's not willing|page=2D|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F12FC86CE49879340|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 23, 2021|via=NewsBank}} Meanwhile, Carl Reese took an extended leave of absence after suffering a stroke on April 29, 2001, that paralyzed his entire right side; Reese's life was saved after a TPA shot was quickly administered.{{r|CarlReeseProfile}}

{{for|more information on the July 3, 2001 exchange involving seven Northeast Ohio radio stations|2001 in radio}}{{Quote box

| quote = Some people say this format is dying out because the fans are dying off... I disagree. Swing is having a real upsurge. This is music that transcends time. The people who grew up with Bach aren't around anymore either.

| author = Robert Conrad

| source = on the adult standards format attracting older demographics{{r|ClassicPopStays}}

| align = right

| width = 275px

| qalign = left

| salign = right

}}

WRMR was one of seven Northeast Ohio radio stations that became involved in a complex exchange between Salem and two other radio companies. Announced on November 1, 2000, WCLV (95.5 FM) parent Radio Seaway reached an agreement to donate WCLV's assets to a nonprofit foundation; to finance the deal, Radio Seaway sold the {{Frequency|95.5|FM}} license to Salem and purchased the licenses for Lorain's {{Frequency|104.9|FM}} from Clear Channel and {{Frequency|1420|AM}} from Salem, while Salem sold the license for Canton's {{Frequency|98.1|FM}} to Clear Channel.{{Cite news|last1=Rosenberg|first1=Donald|last2=Feran|first2=Tom|date=November 2, 2000|title=Arts group will take ownership of WCLV|page=1A|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F80DC0BD2279590|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 22, 2021|via=NewsBank}} {{Frequency|1420|AM}} had operated as Christian-formatted WHK, {{Frequency|98.1|FM}} was a full-time simulcast of WHK, and {{Frequency|104.9|FM}} was CHR-focused "KISS FM" WAKS.{{Cite news|last=Quinn|first=Jim|date=June 18, 2001|title=Seven area radio stations will play musical chairs|pages=A1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/55334350/the-akron-beacon-journal/ A5]|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83461437/seven-area-radio-stations-will-play/|access-date=August 14, 2021}} Robert Conrad, WCLV's co-founder and president, engineered the deal to preserve WCLV's classical format from being subsumed by mass consolidation in the industry,{{r|ArtsGroupWCLV}} negotiating between both radio chains for nearly two years.{{Cite news|last=Feran|first=Tom|date=November 8, 2000|title=Completing the score on WCLV deal|page=1E|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F80DC11DDD0C4CD|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 22, 2021|via=NewsBank}}

Due to the divestment of both frequencies WHK had utilized, Salem announced on May 17, 2001, that WHK's format and call letters would move to {{Frequency|1220|AM}}, and WKNR's sports format and call letters would move to {{Frequency|850|AM}}, effectively forcing WRMR off the air.{{Cite news|last=O'Connor|first=Clint|date=May 18, 2001|title=WKNR's move to 850 will bump WRMR off the air|page=7D|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F12FC86CD5D3157C8|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 22, 2021|via=NewsBank}} Industry analyst Tom Taylor explained that the switch was a "Darwinian battle" where a sports format with lower ratings in the 12+ demographic is easier to sell to advertisers.{{Cite news|last=O'Connor|first=Clint|date=May 25, 2001|title=Senior listeners are the losers in radio game|page=1E|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F12FC86D709CB81E0|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 22, 2021|via=NewsBank}} Despite strong topline numbers, WRMR ranked near the bottom tier in the 25–54 demographic, seen by agencies as the most lucrative,{{r|Seniorlistenerslosers}} and had a core demographic of 65 and older.{{r|WRMRBumpedOffAir}} An unrelated Lakewood video production company named "Salem Communications" was subjected to a stream of irate callers, prompting that firm's president Phil Salem to urge in one newspaper report to contact the radio station instead.{{Cite news|last=O'Connor|first=Clint|date=May 25, 2001|title=Want to complain? Call the right Salem|page=5E|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F12FC86D7167A4D90|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 22, 2021|via=NewsBank}} General manager Error Dengler admitted that because of Salem's divestment of {{Frequency|1420|AM}}, they "ran out of radio stations" and thus had no available frequencies to move WRMR to.{{r|WRMRBumpedOffAir}} Meanwhile, Kent-licensed daytimer WJMP switched formats to MOYL fulltime in hopes of attracting a portion of the disaffected audience.{{Cite news|date=June 2, 2001|title='Music of Your Life' to begin on WJMP|page=B6|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/44784147/music_of_your_life_to_begin_on_wjmp/|access-date=February 18, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}} Rumors also emerged of Indians owner Larry Dolan inquiring with Salem about purchasing both WRMR and WKNR,{{Cite news|last=Ocker|first=Sheldon|author-link=Sheldon Ocker|date=June 3, 2001|title=Are Thome, Tribe inseparable?|page=C5|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83461205/are-thome-tribe-inseparable/|access-date=August 14, 2021}} following prior reports of his interest in purchasing {{Frequency|1220|AM}} as a potential replacement Indians flagship.{{Cite news|last=Ocker|first=Sheldon|author-link=Sheldon Ocker|date=March 4, 2001|title=Hart plays hand perfectly in dealing with Vizquel|page=C5|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83451198/hart-plays-hand-perfectly-in-dealing/|access-date=August 14, 2021}}

Radio Seaway agreed on May 31, 2001, to acquire WRMR's intellectual property—reported on as "the WRMR format" but consisting of the station's music library and some equipment—for an undisclosed fee, placing the format on {{Frequency|1420|AM}}, affixed with the WCLV (AM) call sign.{{Cite news|last=O'Connor|first=Clint|date=June 1, 2001|title=Classic pop radio will stay alive here: Actually will expand on WCLV AM|page=1A|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F12FC86E015792970|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 22, 2021|via=NewsBank}} The transaction came at the expense of Radio Seaway's original plans of using WCLV (AM) as an outright simulcast of WCLV-FM;{{r|SalemMusicalChairs}} prompting a partial simulcast with Painesville's WBKC to be arranged.{{Cite news|last=O'Connor|first=Clint|date=July 2, 2001|title=DO touch that dial: Six radio stations switch frequencies|page=1C|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F2D641287984683|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 22, 2021|via=NewsBank}} WCLV general manager Richard Marschner explained that WRMR was "too important a format to just let it die", while Robert Conrad quipped in reply to the standards format attracting older demos, "the people who grew up with Bach aren't around anymore either".{{r|ClassicPopStays}} Nearly all WRMR air talent was retained for WCLV (AM) except for Bill Randle and Rob Schuler; Randle joined WCLV (AM) in 2002,{{Cite news|last=O'Connor|first=Clint|date=August 2, 2002|title=Indian games bat WTAM AM/100 into first place|page=E5|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=NewsBank&t=&sort=YMD_date%3AA&fld-nav-0=YMD_date&val-nav-0=2002%20-%202002&fld-base-0=alltext&maxresults=20&val-base-0=%22Bill%20Randle%22&docref=news/0F52F9A3E202CA2E|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 22, 2021|via=NewsBank}} while Schuler stayed with Salem as WFHM-FM's midday host.{{r|DOTouchThatDial}}

{{for|the Cleveland radio station which identified as WKNR from 1990 to 2001|WHKW}}

{{Quote box

| quote = WKNR might best be described as a tribute to the radio industry's upheaval... The station's studios, located in a shoebox in Broadview Heights, speak to its nomadic existence. The mint-green paint on the front desk is peeling. Ceiling tiles look as if they haven't been touched since 1978. One half-expects to hear the theme from WKRP in Cincinnati and see Les Nessman round the corner.

| author = Andrew Putz

| source = Cleveland Scene{{r|WKNRScene2002}}

| width = 275px

| qalign = left

| salign = right

}}

When the switch took place on July 3, 2001, WRMR's callsign changed to WKNR.{{cite news|author=Quinn|first=Jim|date=June 29, 2001|title=It's time to reset your radio dial: Seven stations will get new frequencies Tuesday|pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83461026/its-time-to-reset-your-radio-dial/ B3]|newspaper=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83461004/its-time-to-reset-your-radio-dial/|access-date=August 14, 2021}} Branded "SportsTalk 850", the "new" WKNR at {{Frequency|850|AM}} inherited the previous WKNR's airstaff, including Greg Brinda, Kendall Lewis, Kenny Roda, Bruce Drennan and Ken Silverstein, along with the market's ESPN Radio affiliation and local carriage of The Jim Rome Show.{{Cite news|last=Morgan, Jr.|first=David Lee|date=January 22, 2001|title=Airwaves airing out: Fodder overflows with recent moves|pages=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83457402/airwaves-airing-out-fodder-overflows/ C6]|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83457373/airwaves-airing-out-fodder-overflows/|access-date=August 14, 2021}} Brinda, Lewis and Roda had all been veterans at the previous station: Brinda joined WKNR in 1991,{{Cite news|last=Dyer|first=Bob|date=September 1, 1991|title='Feagler!' bids viewers adieu|page=D2|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45086243/feagler-bids-viewers-adieu/|access-date=August 15, 2021}} Lewis in 1998{{Cite news|last=Musarra|first=Russ|date=January 7, 1998|title=WKNR in Cleveland changes to all sports|page=C6|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83442176/wknr-in-cleveland-changes-to-all-sports/|access-date=August 14, 2021}} and Roda in 1992.{{Cite news|last=Finnan|first=Bob|date=August 21, 2013|title=Kenny Roda, Will Burge and T.J. Zuppe axed from WKNR (Media notebook)|work=The Morning Journal|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F16E156ABC09F83F0|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 11, 2021|via=NewsBank}} A former WTAM host, Drennan was hired to host the previous WKNR's 10th Inning Indians postgame show at the start of the team's 2001 season.{{Cite news|date=April 7, 2001|title=Area briefs: Drennan set to host '10th Inning Show'|page=C3|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83458538/drennan-set-to-host-10th-inning-show/|access-date=August 14, 2021}} Originally solo hosts, Brinda and Lewis were paired in mid-mornings after Kelly & Company, inherited from WRMR and with Drennan continuing as a contributor{{Cite news|last=O'Connor|first=Clint|date=June 11, 2001|title=WKNR bumps Brinda for new morning show|page=5E|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F87C5DACB65A484|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 9, 2021|via=NewsBank}} was placed in Brinda's prior time slot{{Cite news|last=Ocker|first=Sheldon|author-link=Sheldon Ocker|date=June 17, 2001|title=Wondering what to do|page=D5|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83535371/wondering-what-to-do/|access-date=September 9, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} and soon replaced with Drennan going solo.{{Cite news|last=O'Connor|first=Clint|date=October 20, 2001|title=WMJI takes top spot; Stern rules mornings|page=E9|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F2DB66EF7AE256D|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 23, 2021|via=NewsBank}}

Adopting the "Truth About Cleveland Sports" moniker,{{Cite news|last=Brown|first=Roger|date=January 6, 2004|title='The Truth' hurts: WKNR fires five|page=D1|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0FFEE5B89D1661C6|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 7, 2021|via=NewsBank}} the station took on guerrilla-style tactics against WTAM, which held broadcast rights to all three professional sports teams.{{r|WKNRScene2002}} Drennan specifically engaged in on-air verbal confrontations against WTAM host Mike Trivisonno for perceived favoritism.{{r|WKNRScene2002}} Drennan's show was largely unconventional as he also focused on movie trivia and Broadway theater, even singing a theme song for his show to the tune of "Springtime for Hitler".{{Cite news|last1=Caniglia|first1=John|last2=Exner|first2=Rich|date=October 17, 2004|title=Drennan's future a gamble: Link to betting ring clouds radio personality's career|page=A1|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F105CD06BE22434AE|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 9, 2021|via=NewsBank}} The station's program director was Steve Legerski, who had joined the previous WKNR in 1999 under that same capacity.{{Cite news|last=Brown|first=Roger|date=September 1, 1999|title=Herbstreit rips 'Immature' Buckeyes squad|page=2D|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F0F80D691744B6EC8|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 9, 2021|via=NewsBank}} WKNR's studios were at the {{Frequency|1220|AM}} transmitter facilities in Broadview Heights, which were also used by the previous WKNR.{{cite web|last=Fybush|first=Scott|date=May 1, 2015|title=Site of the Week 5/1/15: Three Venerable Cleveland AMs|url=https://www.fybush.com/site-20150501/|access-date=August 14, 2021|website=Fybush.com|language=en-US|via=RadioBB}} A Cleveland Scene profile noted the building's neglect as a verbal metaphor for WKNR's repeated ownership changes and overall disinvestment after the Telecommunications Act of 1996.{{cite web|last=Putz|first=Andrew|date=September 11, 2002|title=Battle of the Blowhards|url=https://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/battle-of-the-blowhards/Content?oid=1480238|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912012227/https://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/battle-of-the-blowhards/Content?oid=1480238|archive-date=September 12, 2015|access-date=August 16, 2021|website=Cleveland Scene|language=en}}

File:Bruce Drennan (13648039124).jpg's combative personality and unconventional morning show made him a WKNR fixture from the station's 2001 move to 850 AM until his 2004 implication in an illegal sports betting operation.]]

As the new year started on January 5, 2004, Brinda, Lewis, Silverstein, Legerski and one show producer were all fired in budget-related cutbacks.{{r|WKNRFiresFive}} Michael Luczak took over as program director,{{Cite news|last=Brown|first=Roger|date=October 17, 2004|title=IT'S IN HERE SOMEWHERE, REALLY: McInnis pays off, but are Cavs pushing their luck with trades?|page=C2|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F105CD06BD53BED0F|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 9, 2021|via=NewsBank}} Bruce Drennan was reassigned to the midday slot, and ESPN Radio's Mike and Mike in the Morning took Drennan's place.{{r|WKNRFiresFive}} Lewis did not take the firing personally despite it happening after his return from medical leave to fight a viral infection, saying "it's just the way this business goes".{{Cite news|last=Brown|first=Roger|date=February 16, 2004|title=Lewis doesn't take WKNR firing personally|page=C2|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F100C68959353FD36|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 7, 2021|via=NewsBank}} Brinda, however, returned to the station at the end of the month as a fill-in host and sports director{{Cite news|last=Brown|first=Roger|date=January 21, 2004|title=Pound's passion may keep Browns on ABC schedule|page=D2|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F1003D78AC1883773|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 9, 2021|via=NewsBank}} later adding 10th Inning duties.{{Cite news|last=Brown|first=Roger|date=February 23, 2004|title=Everything's up to Speed for Liberatore|page=C2|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F100EB6D5709D8C5D|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 9, 2021|via=NewsBank}} A brokered hour-long taped sports show hosted by Dan Coughlin and Les Levine aired in the 6pm hour for two months until its cancellation after the show's producer had a falling out with Salem management.{{Cite news|last=O'Connor|first=Clint|date=May 3, 2004|title='Sports Club' talk show no longer on WKNR|page=D4|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F1025C5DA6BCC73CB|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 7, 2021|via=NewsBank}} Likewise, a weekly program hosted by athletic trainer Eric Lichter ended prematurely on Lichter's part when a series of on-air technical difficulties plagued production.{{Cite news|last=Brown|first=Roger|date=September 6, 2004|title=WEWS now has a sporting chance|page=C2|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F104F4CDF5CEE713A|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 7, 2021|via=NewsBank}} Rumors of WKNR dropping sports for conservative talk—which had existed since the frequency change{{r|Akro010617}}—ended when Salem repurchased WRMR (1420 AM) on July 6, 2004, and relaunched it as a talk station branded "WHK";{{cite web|last=Davis|first=Denise|date=July 7, 2004|title=Salem Communications to Acquire WRMR-AM, Cleveland; Station Will Broadcast as WHK-AM in News/Talk Format|url=https://investor.salemmedia.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/561/salem-communications-to-acquire-wrmr-am-cleveland-station|access-date=November 29, 2019|website=Salem Media Group}} general manager Errol Dengler saw the purchase as a way to dispel the format change rumors even as it remained only one of three sports stations in the company's portfolio.{{Cite news|last=O'Connor|first=Clint|date=July 8, 2004|title=Station sale moves WHK back to former spot on the dial|page=F4|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F103B8680753D932D|url-access=subscription|access-date=August 19, 2021|via=NewsBank}}

The station attracted unwanted attention on September 27, 2004, when Bruce Drennan's home was raided by FBI and IRS agents as part of a wide-ranging investigation into illegal sports gambling,{{Cite news|last=McCarty|first=James F.|date=September 28, 2004|title=Sports radio host Drennan targeted in gambling raid|page=A1|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F10568D99840D2DFB|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 8, 2021|via=NewsBank}} a problem compounded by Salem's reputation as a "family-friendly" broadcaster.{{Cite news|last=Brown|first=Roger|date=September 29, 2004|title=WKNR mum on Drennan|page=C2|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F1056E1BA976D895C|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 9, 2021|via=NewsBank}} Drennan was removed from the air for several days by WKNR management in an attempt to downplay the news,{{Cite news|last=Brown|first=Roger|date=October 4, 2004|title=WKNR takes hit for skirting Drennan story|page=C2|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F105887BCE3322BC6|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 9, 2021|via=NewsBank}} his return did not include any mention of the raid or the allegations against him. After further coverage in The Plain Dealer detailed the sports gambling ring and included taped conversations with Drennan,{{Cite news|last=Caniglia|first=John|date=October 14, 2004|title=Drennan was broke, scared, file reveals|page=A1|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F105BD4286CD773BD|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 9, 2021|via=NewsBank}} WKNR placed him on indefinite administrative leave{{Cite news|last=Brown|first=Roger|date=October 18, 2004|title=WKNR tunes out ethics with Drennan|page=C2|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F105D25504D29C840|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 9, 2021|via=NewsBank}} with Greg Brinda taking Drennan's time slot. Salem's continued practice of clearing brokered programming and infomercials on WKNR{{Cite news|last=Brown|first=Roger|date=March 1, 2004|title=FSN-Ohio wants fans to get past first date with young Indians|page=C3|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F101106502C104181|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 9, 2021|via=NewsBank}} prevented the station from broadcasting ESPN's MLB play-by-play throughout this era,{{Cite news|last=Brown|first=Roger|date=October 9, 2006|title=Gannon's throws on target in TV booth|page=C2|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F114BC4C3CDADA5E0|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 9, 2021|via=NewsBank}} including the entirety of the 2004 World Series.{{Cite news|last=Brown|first=Roger|date=October 27, 2004|title=Malone offers a needed assist for Cavs|page=D2|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F10601C80634D23BC|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 9, 2021|via=NewsBank}} The station hosted a third "tour stop" for Jim Rome on October 9, 2004, after successful live events in 1999 and 2000;{{Cite news|last=Morgan, Jr.|first=David Lee|date=October 8, 2004|title=Rome in C-Town Saturday; Out!|page=C3|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85057793/rome-in-c-town-saturday-out/|access-date=September 10, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} WKNR agreed to it after Rome's normal appearance fee was waived.{{Cite news|last=Brown|first=Roger|date=September 20, 2004|title=Rome earns his take and harsh criticism|page=C2|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F1053EA7FF67037FF|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 8, 2021|via=NewsBank}}

ESPN Radio abruptly gave WKNR a 90-day cancellation notice effective on October 8, 2006; Luczak both publicly confirmed the move and that an upcoming transaction would result in a new ESPN outlet airing the programming 24 hours a day.{{Cite news|last=Morgan, Jr.|first=David Lee|date=July 13, 2006|title=WKNR radio plans to drop 'Mike & Mike'|page=C5|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85053943/wknr-radio-plans-to-drop-mike-mike/|access-date=September 10, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Shortly thereafter, Good Karma Broadcasting purchased WABQ (1540 AM)—a {{val|1000|fmt=commas|u=watt}} station based in Cleveland's Fairfax neighborhood—for $2.5 million,{{Cite news|last=Brown|first=Roger|date=July 31, 2006|title=Indians' ratings striking out, too|page=C2|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F1133B5C810EA8930|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 10, 2021|via=NewsBank}} agreeing to a new ESPN affiliation deal.{{Cite news|last=Morgan, Jr.|first=David Lee|date=July 21, 2006|title=ESPN programming to move to 1520-AM (sic)|page=C6|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85054002/espn-programming-to-move-to-1520-am/|access-date=September 10, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Good Karma's founder and president Craig Karmazin considered Cleveland to be "the next logical market" for the chain to expand to, already operating sports talkers in Madison, Milwaukee and West Palm Beach.{{Cite web|last=Booth|first=John|date=December 4, 2006|title=Building on a 'billion-dollar brand'|url=https://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20061204/SUB/61204004/building-on-a-billion-dollar-brand|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 25, 2021|website=Crain's Cleveland Business|language=en}} Owing to WABQ's daytime-only status, the change meant ESPN programming at night could not be carried,{{Cite news|last=Thomas|first=George M.|date=December 5, 2006|title=With sale comes advice for WKNR|pages=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85060998/with-sale-comes-advice-for-wknr-p2/ C5]|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85060958/with-sale-comes-advice-for-wknr/|access-date=September 10, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} rumors of a nighttime purchase of airtime on WERE emerged but never were consummated. This also meant that a daily program hosted by Karmazin and associate Steve Politziner could not be carried in Cleveland throughout the winter months.{{r|BillionDollarBrand}} Karmazin moved to Cleveland to help relaunch WABQ as "ESPN Radio 1540" WWGK,{{Cite news|last=Washington|first=Julie E.|date=December 6, 2006|title=WKNR sports-talk station sold: Good Karma Broadcasting buys AM/850 to join its AM/1540|page=C3|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F115DE8A086DEE170|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 9, 2021|via=NewsBank}} a practice he had previously done with other station launches,{{cite web|last=Glauber|first=Bill|date=July 28, 2012|title=Good Karma's Karmazin scores talking up sports|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/good-karmas-karmazin-scores-talking-up-sports-ga68t77-164145926.html|access-date=September 10, 2021|website=www.jsonline.com|publisher=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|language=en}} and predicted that WWGK could have a positive cash flow within 18 months.{{r|BillionDollarBrand}} WKNR concurrently replaced ESPN programming by becoming the market's Fox Sports Radio affiliate.{{cite news|last=Brown|first=Roger|date=2006-10-06|title=With Rosburg, Browns are special|page=4|publisher=The Plain Dealer|url=http://www.cleveland.com/sports/plaindealer/roger_brown/index.ssf?/base/sports/1160123448197870.xml&coll=2&thispage=4|url-status=dead|access-date=2006-10-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607121347/http://www.cleveland.com/sports/plaindealer/roger_brown/index.ssf?%2Fbase%2Fsports%2F1160123448197870.xml&coll=2&thispage=4|archive-date=2011-06-07}}

{{Quote box

| quote = I was in Glidden House [the upscale inn near University Circle] the other day. There were two older women there having tea... if you saw them in New York, they'd be talking politics or something very high brow. They're talking Mangini and Holmgren! In the Glidden House! It's the only town in America that's like that.

| author = Aaron Goldhammer

| source = on the passionate nature of Cleveland sports fans{{r|GoldhammerCPD}}

| align = left

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File:Rizz and Hammer.pngMere weeks after WWGK's launch, Salem sold WKNR to Good Karma for $7 million on December 4, 2006.{{r|Akro061205}}{{cite news|last=Booth|first=John|date=December 4, 2006|title=Good Karma buys WKNR|work=Crain's Cleveland Business|url=http://www.crainscleveland.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061204/FREE/61204019/1025|url-access=subscription|access-date=December 27, 2006|archive-date=September 27, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927180003/http://www.crainscleveland.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20061204%2FFREE%2F61204019%2F1025|url-status=dead}} Craig Karmazin saw WKNR as "a dream scenario"{{r|WKNRSoldGKB}} and a "sleeping giant" that still had a loyal audience despite the many ownership and programming changes, and did not even anticipate owning both stations until Salem agreed to the sale.{{cite web|last=Booth|first=John|date=January 21, 2008|title=New affiliation rejuvenates local sports radio stations|url=https://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20080121/FREE/203401721/new-affiliation-rejuvenates-local-sports-radio-stations|url-access=subscription|access-date=2021-09-07|website=Crain's Cleveland Business|language=en}} A local marketing agreement immediately began for WKNR, with Karmazin assuming the role of general manager{{r|WKNRSoldGKB}} and pledging to reinvest into local programming and coverage of area teams.{{Cite news|last=Thomas|first=George M.|date=December 6, 2006|title=Good Karma boss wants to talk sports|pages=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85057989/good-karma-boss-wants-to-talk-sports-p2/ C3]|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85057937/good-karma-boss-wants-to-talk-sports/|access-date=September 10, 2021}} Veteran radio programmer and consultant Mike McVay saw the new ownership as a way to breathe new life into a station that failed to properly market the "move" from 1220 AM and thus fell into obscurity.{{r|Crains20080121}} As a sign of things to come, WKNR carried 24 straight hours of local pregame leading into Ohio State Sports Network coverage of the 2007 BCS National Championship Game, with WJW sports anchor Tony Rizzo joining Brinda and Roda among the on-air hosts.{{Cite news|last=Thomas|first=George M.|title=Early word from Arizona|page=C6|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85061072/early-word-from-arizona/|access-date=September 10, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}}

A steady series of management, personnel and programming shakeups resulted from Good Karma's takeover of WKNR. The biggest moves took place on February 23, 2007, when ESPN Radio programming moved back to WKNR and WWGK added Fox Sports Radio programming dubbed "1540 KNR2".{{Cite news|last=Thomas|first=George M.|date=February 24, 2007|title=New beginning for sports talk radio station|page=C7|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85061133/new-beginning-for-sports-talk-radio/|access-date=September 10, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} The same day, Rizzo on the Radio—a late-morning show featuring Rizzo—debuted, moving Greg Brinda to a new evening slot.{{Cite news|last=Thomas|first=George M.|date=February 27, 2007|title=WKNR improves its lineup|page=C1|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85061174/wknr-improves-its-lineup/|access-date=September 10, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Karmazin considered Rizzo a linchpin of the revamped station, saying, "he is as Cleveland as you can get... he's a regular guy."{{r|Akro070224}} Rizzo was paired with producer Aaron Goldhammer on referral from Karmazin, quickly setting up a "good cop/bad cop" motif and an eventual name change to The Really Big Show.{{Cite web|last=Contes|first=Brandon|date=May 29, 2020|title=There's A Little WWE In Everything Tony Rizzo Does|url=https://barrettsportsmedia.com/2020/05/29/theres-a-little-wwe-in-everything-tony-rizzo-does/|access-date=September 25, 2021|website=Barrett Media|language=en-US}} The following month, WMMS/WMJI personality Mark "Munch" Bishop was hired for afternoon drive and former Cavaliers TV play-by-play voice Michael Reghi took over as host for a local Cavs post-game call in show, moving Kenny Roda to early evenings.{{Cite news|last=Thomas|first=George M.|date=March 30, 2007|title=WKNR boss still working on recipe|page=C1|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Knight Ridder|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85053887/wknr-boss-still-working-on-recipe/|access-date=September 10, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Play-by-play of Lake Erie Monsters AHL hockey and Cleveland Gladiators AFL football was added as a supplement to ESPN's play-by-play and Ohio State affiliation.{{r|Crains20080121}} Karamzin's investment into the duopoly included a $50,000 combined studio space{{Cite news|last=Washington|first=Julie E.|date=December 6, 2006|title=WKNR sports-talk station sold: Good Karma Broadcasting buys AM/850 to join its AM/1540|page=C3|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F115DE8A086DEE170|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 9, 2021|via=NewsBank}} at the Galleria at Erieview that opened later in 2007.{{cite news|last=Booth|first=John|date=2006-12-26|title=Good Karma for downtown|publisher=Crain's Cleveland Business|url=http://www.crainscleveland.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061226/FREE/61226009/1025&Profile=1025|access-date=2007-01-04|archive-date=September 27, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927181938/http://www.crainscleveland.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20061226%2FFREE%2F61226009%2F1025&Profile=1025|url-status=dead}} The former Broadview Heights facilities for WKNR, which remain as the transmitter site for WHKW, have since been used for engineering space and storage.{{r|Fybush}}

Rizzo's family connection to professional wrestling — his father Jack Reynolds was an announcer for multiple promotions, including the WWF (now WWE){{cite news|last=Baranick|first=Alana|date=October 17, 2008|title=Jack Reynolds, hosted wrestling show with Jesse Ventura|work=The Plain Dealer|url=http://www.cleveland.com/obituaries/index.ssf/2008/10/jack_reynolds_hosted_wrestling.html|access-date=October 23, 2008}}—has influenced his on-air approach at WKNR, admitting it would be a lie if he said there was not "a little WWE" on his show.{{r|RizzoBSMInterview}} Aaron Goldhammer's antagonistic persona quickly polarized listeners, with one Plain Dealer profile labeling him "the most hated man in sports radio", a villainous role he admitted to relishing.{{cite web|last=Campanelli|first=John|date=January 18, 2010|title=Aaron Goldhammer of WKNR's 'The Really Big Show' hits the nail on the head (ouch)|url=https://www.cleveland.com/pdq/2010/01/aaron_goldhammer_of_wknrs_the.html|access-date=September 7, 2021|website=cleveland.com|publisher=The Plain Dealer|language=en}} Chris Fedor, who joined the station in 2002 as a third shift board operator, also polarized Really Big Show listeners with his pessimistic persona,{{cite web|last=Kleps|first=Kevin|date=January 28, 2013|title='The Hooligans' shakes things up with Fedor's exit|url=https://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20130128/BLOGS06/130129795/the-hooligans-shakes-things-up-with-fedors-exit|access-date=September 11, 2021|website=Crain's Cleveland Business|language=en}} prompting Rizzo to call him "Negative Ned" in jest.{{Cite news|last=Finnan|first=Bob|date=January 29, 2013|title=WKNR lets go of Chris Fedor|work=The Morning Journal|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F16E189576E9EF3A8|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 11, 2021|via=NewsBank}} A Really Big Show contest where listeners called in to identify the source of a short audio clip went awry after the clip picked was unidentifiable and ended after two years with no winner; WKNR was fined $4,000 by the FCC after discrepancies emerged with the station's contest rules online and over-the-air.{{cite web|last=Grzegorek|first=Vince|date=December 9, 2010|title=WKNR Fined $4,000 by FCC Over Rizzo's "Who Said That" Contest|url=https://www.clevescene.com/64-and-counting/archives/2010/12/09/wknr-fined-4000-over-rizzos-who-said-that-contest|access-date=September 9, 2021|website=Cleveland Scene|language=en}} One particularly weak spot among critics was the lack of any minority on-air hosts since the 2004 dismissal of Kendall Lewis{{r|Akro070227}} which was addressed with X's and O's with The Pros on WWGK, hosted by LeCharles Bentley and Je'Rod Cherry.{{Cite news|last=Petkovic|first=John|author-link=John Petkovic|date=April 29, 2014|title=Money, power, lack of black media voices helped NBA sweep Donald Sterling under the rug for years|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F14D8273423CFE090|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 11, 2021|via=NewsBank}} X's and O's was ultimately moved to evenings on WKNR on July 6, 2010, adding Dustin Fox as a contributor,{{cite web|last=Oller|first=Rob|date=September 11, 2015|title=Q&A with former Buckeye Dustin Fox|url=https://www.cantonrep.com/article/20150911/SPORTS/309119988|access-date=September 11, 2021|website=The Repository|language=en}} while Reghi and Roda were concurrently paired up in afternoons, and Brinda and Fedor paired in evenings.{{cite web|date=June 29, 2010|title=WKNR Makes Changes To Afternoons, Evenings|url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/77351/wknr-makes-changes-to-afternoons-evenings|access-date=September 11, 2021|website=All Access|language=en}}

The station gained an in-market competitor when CBS Radio's WKRK-FM adopted a sports format on August 29, 2011, but Karmazin welcomed the change, believing Cleveland could support as many as six sports stations.{{cite web|author=Yarborough, Chuck|date=September 2, 2011|title=WKRK FM/92.3 The Fan Replaces Rock with Sports Talk|url=http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2011/09/wkrk_fm923_the_fan_replaces_ro.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20111002171748/http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2011/09/wkrk_fm923_the_fan_replaces_ro.html|archive-date=October 2, 2011|access-date=March 10, 2012|work=Cleveland.com|publisher=Cleveland Live LLC}} Coincidentally, Karamzin began his broadcasting career as an intern for WKRK-FM program director Andy Roth when Roth worked at Philadelphia's WIP.{{Cite web|last=Ravanos|first=Demetri|date=February 17, 2021|title=Meet the Market Managers: Sam Pines, ESPN Cleveland|url=https://barrettsportsmedia.com/2021/02/17/meet-the-market-managers-sam-pines-espn-cleveland/|access-date=September 25, 2021|website=Barrett Media|language=en-US}} The switch also came at the expense of WKNR's affiliation with the NFL on Westwood One Sports, which moved to WKRK-FM.{{Cite news|last=Thomas|first=George M.|date=August 5, 2011|title=Sports radio gets interesting|page=C3|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Black Press|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85073313/sports-radio-gets-interesting/|access-date=September 11, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} WKNR opted to go all-local in evenings, pairing up Brinda, Fedor and Bruce Hooley{{Cite news|last=Naveau|first=Jim|date=October 4, 2011|title=Bruce Hooley back on the radio|work=The Lima News|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F13A3143DC911B378|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 11, 2021|via=NewsBank}} for The Hooligans in afternoons,{{r|WKNRFedorLetGo}} a rebranded 3 Deep with Bentley and Cherry in early evenings, and Reghi and Roda in late nights.{{Cite news|last=Thomas|first=George M.|date=August 22, 2013|title=WKNR fires three, shuffles programs|pages=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85118359/wknr-fires-three-shuffles-programs-p2/ C5]|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Black Press|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85118329/wknr-fires-three-shuffles-programs/|access-date=September 11, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} Fox left for WKRK-FM{{r|RockWithSports}} and Bentley resigned from the station,{{r|HooligansShakeUp}} prompting Cherry to team with Emmett Golden and Will Burge for 3 Deep,{{r|Akro130822}} while Fedor was replaced by T.J. Zuppe{{r|RodaBurgeZuppeAxed}} early in 2013.{{r|WKNRFedorLetGo}} WKNR entered into a cooperative with the Cleveland Browns to broadcast Cleveland Browns Daily—a year-round one-hour program produced by the team—that debuted on July 29, 2011,{{Cite news|last=Schudel|first=Jeff|date=July 23, 2011|title=NFL INSIDER: Browns' roster moving toward more youth|work=The Morning Journal|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F16E1069CAD214C88|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 11, 2021|via=NewsBank}} despite the team still under a long-term radio contract with WTAM and WMMS.{{r|Akro110805}} Following longtime Plain Dealer Browns beat writer Tony Grossi's dismissal from the newspaper after an errant tweet regarding Browns owner Randy Lerner,{{cite web|last=Diadiun|first=Ted|date=January 28, 2012|title=Tony Grossi's reassignment was a painful necessity|url=https://www.cleveland.com/readers/2012/01/tony_grossis_reassignment_was.html|access-date=September 11, 2021|website=cleveland.com|publisher=The Plain Dealer|language=en}} WKNR hired him for the same position on March 12, 2012, supplanting Will Burge in the role.{{r|RodaBurgeZuppeAxed}} Hooley also joined the station amid controversy, having been fired from Ohio State flagship WBNS-FM in March 2011 after openly criticizing Jim Tressel for failing to address a recruiting scandal with the Buckeyes football team,{{r|HooleyBackOnRadio}} purportedly angering the university.{{Cite news|last=Kendra|first=Tom|date=April 5, 2011|title='Tattoo-Gate' - a black eye - for Buckeyes|page=B1|work=The Muskegon Chronicle|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F1367239589CF65F8|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 11, 2021|via=NewsBank}}

File:Tony Grossi (9399560208).jpg has been with WKNR since 2012 at their Cleveland Browns beat reporter.]]

The most significant move made by WKNR under Good Karma ownership came on March 28, 2013, when the station—along with CBS Radio's WKRK-FM and WNCX—were awarded the flagship rights to the Cleveland Browns Radio Network.{{cite web|author=Press Release|date=March 28, 2013|title=Browns Enter Into Groundbreaking Radio Partnership With ESPN 850 WKNR And CBS Radio's 92.3 The Fan And 98.5 WNCX|url=http://cleveland.cbslocal.com/2013/03/28/browns-enter-into-groundbreaking-radio-partnership-with-espn-850-wknr-and-cbs-radios-92-3-the-fan-and-98-5-wncx/|access-date=March 28, 2013|work=Cleveland.CBSLocal.com|publisher=CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc}} The unusual partnership between rival sports stations was struck in mid-October 2012 at Craig Karmazin's urging, who compared it to CBS's co-op with Turner Sports for NCAA men's basketball tournament coverage and saw the Browns being such a strong community asset that it could be workable.{{Cite news|last=Reed|first=Tom|date=March 28, 2013|title=Cleveland Browns agree to historic broadcast deal, don't anticipate any coverage gaps on game days|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F1454F8DC25A24AE8|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 11, 2021|via=NewsBank}} Browns president Alec Scheiner favored the CBS-Good Karma bid as neither station would have schedule conflicts with Indians games, which had been an issue with WTAM since Clear Channel was awarded the rights in 1999.{{Cite news|last=Reed|first=Tom|date=March 26, 2013|title=Cleveland Browns will have new radio homes for next season, say sources|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F1454B3B7CEE97588|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 11, 2021|via=NewsBank}} The "triple cast" deal also marked a return for the Browns to the WKNR nameplate; the previous WKNR was Browns flagship from 1994 to 1995 under a joint venture with WDOK.{{Cite news|date=March 23, 1994|title=2 radio stations outbid others for rights to carry Browns|page=3C|work=Mansfield News Journal|agency=Thomson News Service|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83563796/2-radio-stations-outbid-others-for/|access-date=August 16, 2021}} As part of the new pact, Cleveland Browns Daily was expanded to a two-hour midday show as the centerpiece of over 1,000 annual hours of ancillary team-produced programming.{{r|BrownsNewRadioHomes}} The expansion of Browns Daily also came at the expense of The Jim Rome Show, which was moved to WWGK outright,{{Cite news|date=July 19, 2013|title=New time for Browns radio show|page=D3|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F147A9F2E45093328|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 11, 2021|via=NewsBank}} the first hour had previously aired on WWGK only.{{Cite news|last=Thomas|first=George M.|date=July 13, 2013|title=Former Indians star takes swing at houses|pages=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85118524/former-indians-star-takes-swing-at/ C3]|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Black Press|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/85118506/former-indians-star-takes-swing-at/|access-date=September 11, 2021|via=Newspapers.com}} WKNR also added Matt Wilhelm as a football analyst for the 2013 NFL draft.{{Cite news|last=Finnan|first=Bob|date=April 28, 2013|title=Lorain native and Elyria Catholic graduate Matt Wilhelm hired at WKNR to be football analyst (Media notebook)|work=The Morning Journal|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F16E16F431FE84DF0|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 11, 2021|via=NewsBank}} Additionally, former Plain Dealer and Akron Beacon Journal Cavaliers beat reporter and current ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst was signed as the station's Cavaliers beat reporter and analyst for the team's 2014–15 season.[http://www.espncleveland.com/common/more.php?m=49&post_id=38421 Windhorst joins WKNR - ESPN Cleveland.com] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112152313/http://www.espncleveland.com/common/more.php?m=49&post_id=38421 |date=2014-11-12 }}

Despite the Browns addition, WKNR's lineup was rearranged again by August 2013 with the dismissals of Will Burge, T.J. Zuppe and Kenny Roda, while Reghi remained with the station as a Browns Daily co-host.{{r|Akro130822}} This ended a 21-year tenure for Roda at both the previous and current WKNR.{{r|RodaBurgeZuppeAxed}} Speculation suggested that WKRK-FM, due to being on the FM dial, was now negatively impacting WKNR's ratings.{{r|Akro130822}} One Cleveland Scene story suggested WKNR dropped their subscription to Nielsen Audio because The Really Big Show was now being outdrawn substantially by WKRK-FM's Baskin and Phelps and termed the Browns contract a loss leader for both sports stations.{{Cite web|last=McGraw|first=Daniel|date=September 2, 2015|title=Some Think Sports Talk Radio in Cleveland Is Dying. Truth Is, It's Already Dead.|url=https://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/some-think-sports-talk-radio-in-cleveland-is-dying-truth-is-its-already-dead/Content?oid=4627390|access-date=2022-01-20|website=Cleveland Scene|language=en}} Karmazin had previously defended severing ties with Nielsen, arguing as early as 2008 that their ratings system is "the product of 'a telemarketing agency'".{{r|Crains20080121}}

The Really Big Show remained financially successful as the station's "cash cow", with Rizzo in particular as a reliable pitchman for multiple local advertisers{{r|SceneSayNothing}} but continued to court controversy. Recurring Really Big Show sidekick Sabrina Parr was fired by WKNR on May 10, 2017, after accusing Jabrill Peppers—recently drafted by the Browns—of being "on the lean and molly".{{Cite web|last=Grzegorek|first=Vince|date=May 11, 2017|title=Sabrina ParrFired From WKNR After Claiming Jabril Peppers is on Drugs|url=https://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2017/05/11/sabrina-parr-fired-from-wknr-after-claiming-jabril-peppers-is-on-drugs|access-date=2022-01-20|website=Cleveland Scene|language=en}} In a previous stint at the station, Parr gave an eyewitness account of an October 7, 2009, altercation between Braylon Edwards and Edward Givens at a local bar.{{Cite web|last=Cabot|first=Mary Kay|date=2009-10-08|title=WKNR contributor Sabrina Parr talking to police about Braylon Edwards' altercation early Monday morning|url=https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2009/10/wknr_contributor_sabrina_parr.html|access-date=2022-01-20|website=cleveland.com|publisher=The Plain Dealer|language=en}} Tony Rizzo was arrested on a domestic violence charge on December 6, 2013,{{Cite web|last=MacDonald|first=Evan|date=2013-12-09|title=Cleveland sports radio host Tony Rizzo accused of domestic violence|url=https://www.cleveland.com/medina/2013/12/cleveland_sports_radio_host_to.html|access-date=2022-01-20|website=cleveland.com|publisher=The Plain Dealer|language=en}} but conducted his show the next morning even as police reports surfaced regarding the charge;{{r|SceneSayNothing}} Rizzo was ultimately sentenced to two years probation and a suspended 30-day jail sentence.{{Cite web|last=Kilpatrick|first=Mary|date=2014-04-21|title=Cleveland sports radio host Tony Rizzo sentenced to 30 days in jail|url=https://www.cleveland.com/medina/2014/04/cleveland_sports_radio_host_to_4.html|access-date=2022-01-20|website=cleveland.com|publisher=The Plain Dealer|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Shea|first=Jack|date=2014-04-21|title=Sportscaster Tony Rizzo Sentenced|url=https://fox8.com/sports/sportscaster-tony-rizzo-sentenced/|access-date=2022-01-20|website=Fox 8 Cleveland|publisher=WJW|language=en-US}} Two years later, on December 11, 2016, Rizzo assailed the "Perfect Season Parade", set up by Twitter user Chris McNeil{{Cite web|last=Swenson|first=Kyle|date=December 12, 2016|title=Tony Rizzo Loses Mind on 0-16 Parade: "I'll Be There and I Will Mow You Down Under My Tires. I Promise That"|url=https://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2016/12/12/tony-rizzo-loses-mind-on-0-16-parade-ill-be-there-and-i-will-mow-you-down-under-my-tires-i-promise-that|access-date=2022-01-20|website=Cleveland Scene|language=en}} as a satirical protest to the (at that point) winless 2016 Browns season, during the station's postgame show.{{Cite web|last=Pinckard|first=Cliff|date=2016-12-20|title=Dan Le Batard spurs fundraising for Browns 'Perfect Season' parade|url=https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2016/12/organizers_of_browns_perfect_s_1.html|access-date=2022-01-20|website=cleveland.com|publisher=The Plain Dealer|language=en}} Rizzo challenged anyone involved with planning the parade to a fight at the restaurant he was broadcasting from, and claimed he would "mow you down under my tires... if you have that parade it will get ugly".{{r|SceneRizzoLosesMind}} The stunt backfired when Dan Le Batard played audio from Rizzo's outburst on his ESPN Radio show and suggested listeners donate to the parade's GoFundMe page, which doubled their fundraising goal in less than 24 hours.{{r|RizzoLeBatard}}

WKNR unveiled a subscription-driven platform billed The Land on Demand on May 1, 2017, enabling full access to audio archives for the station's live programming and podcasts for either a monthly or annual fee.{{Cite web|last=Barrett|first=Jason|date=May 22, 2017|title=Will Audiences Pay For Local Sports Radio Digital Content?|url=https://barrettsportsmedia.com/2017/05/22/will-audiences-pay-for-local-sports-radio-digital-content/|access-date=September 25, 2021|website=Barrett Media|language=en-US}} This platform was initially criticized and ridiculed on social media, with Chris McNeil considering the pricing tiers to reflective of the station's overall aloof attitude, while Talkers Magazine publisher Michael Harrison considered the platform "innovative" for finding a way to provide content without commercials.{{Cite web|last=Kleps|first=Kevin|date=May 7, 2017|title=ESPN Cleveland puts premium on podcasts|url=https://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20170507/news/170509855/espn-cleveland-puts-premium-podcasts|access-date=September 25, 2021|website=Crain's Cleveland Business|language=en}} Former programming executive Jason Barrett suggested on his media analysis website that WKNR could add more exclusive content to entice subscribers, but applauded the station for taking a risk and noted that any improvement would further help refine the platform.{{r|WKNRPayPodcasts}} Good Karma later launched a similar platform for their ESPN affiliates in Milwaukee and Madison titled Wisconsin on Demand.{{Cite web|last=Venta|first=Lance|date=October 28, 2019|title=Good Karma Launches Paywalled Wisconsin Sports Platform|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/181365/good-karma-launches-paywalled-wisconsin-sports-platform/|access-date=September 25, 2021|website=RadioInsight|language=en-US|via=Radio BB}}

{{Quote box

| quote = The more a host can be relatable in everyday life -- the better he or she can connect with a fan. That's why it is important for good sports talent to not just know sports, but to be able to talk about life. I can easily recall memorable content recently about snowstorms, the GameStop/Reddit stock thing, and Valentine's Day. If you're not talking about what everyone is talking about as a host, you become very two-dimensional.

| author = Matt Fishman

| source = WKNR's director of content, on the qualities that make for a good sports radio host{{r|Fishman10Q}}

| align = right

| width = 325px

| qalign = left

| salign = right

}}

Tony Grossi was suspended by the station on February 25. 2020, after derisively calling Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield "a f----- midget" when his microphone was erroneously left on during a commercial break that was only accessible to online streamers.{{Cite news|date=February 26, 2020|title=ESPN suspends Tony Grossi: Cleveland radio analyst in hot water over comment about Baker Mayfield|page=C4|work=Akron Beacon Journal|publisher=Gannett|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F1795B466A1DFF770|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 25, 2021|via=NewsBank}} It was not the first incident regarding WKNR and Mayfield, as Aaron Goldhammer promised to eat horse manure on-air if the Browns drafted Mayfield in 2018; social media criticism pressured Goldhammer into agreeing to do so.{{Cite web|last=Colangelo|first=B. J.|date=April 27, 2018|title=WKNR's Aaron Goldhammer to Eat Literal Horse Shit in Honor of Baker Mayfield|url=https://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2018/04/27/wknrs-aaron-goldhammer-to-eat-literal-horse-shit-in-honor-of-baker-mayfield|access-date=September 25, 2021|website=Cleveland Scene|language=en}} Grossi's reinstatement and apology on March 10{{Cite news|last=Morona|first=Joey|date=March 11, 2020|title=ESPN Cleveland's Tony Grossi returns, says suspension was 'traumatic' but also a 'learning experience'|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F179A654950B11DF8|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 25, 2021|via=NewsBank}} came one day before the suspension of the 2019–20 NBA season and onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, forcing all but two station personnel to work from home.{{Cite news|last=Morona|first=Joey|date=April 9, 2020|title=How the coronavirus crisis is impacting Cleveland radio|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F17A3D9FF42571F00|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 25, 2021|via=NewsBank}} WWGK temporarily switched on April 22, 2020, to a relay of Sirius XM's "Doctor Radio" channel and related COVID-19 information programming{{Cite web|date=April 21, 2020|title=WWGK-A (1540 ESPN)/Cleveland To Air SiriusXM Doctor Radio And Coronavirus Channel|url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/195778/wwgk-a-1540-espn-cleveland-to-air-siriusxm-doctor-|access-date=September 25, 2021|website=All Access|language=en}} following a similar move by Good Karma's WAUK in Milwaukee.{{Cite web|last=Venta|first=Lance|date=April 21, 2020|title=1540 WWGK Cleveland To Add SiriusXM's Coronavirus Programming|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/186287/1540-wwgk-cleveland-to-add-siriusxms-coronavirus-programming/|access-date=September 25, 2021|website=RadioInsight|language=en-US|via=Radio BB}} WKNR kept the sports format largely intact by maintaining focus on Browns-related topics and the NFL Draft, although Ohio Governor Mike DeWine became a regular guest.{{r|CovidWKNR}} Ultimately, no layoffs or furloughs occurred at any of the stations in the entire Good Karma chain as a result of the pandemic.{{r|MeetSamPines}}

In the wake of mass unrest over the murder of George Floyd, WKNR collaborated with 21 radio stations owned by iHeartMedia, Entercom, Radio One and Salem to simulcast a town hall meeting regarding race relations on June 17, 2020, hosted by Romona Robinson.{{Cite news|last=Morona|first=Joey|date=June 17, 2020|title=A conversation about race|page=A2|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F17BA79D177D01DD0|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 25, 2021|via=NewsBank}} The station publicly announced a "stick to sports" commitment on October 28, 2020, eschewing politics entirely as means of escapism for listeners;{{Cite web|last=Contes|first=Brandon|date=October 29, 2020|title=ESPN Cleveland Says It Is Done With Politics|url=https://barrettsportsmedia.com/2020/10/29/espn-cleveland-says-it-is-done-with-politics/|access-date=September 25, 2021|website=Barrett Media|language=en-US}} in a taped promo, Rizzo said, "frankly, I'm relieved".{{Cite web|last=Morona|first=Joey|date=October 28, 2020|title=850 ESPN Cleveland says station will no longer talk politics|url=https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2020/10/850-espn-cleveland-says-station-will-no-longer-talk-politics.html|access-date=September 25, 2021|website=cleveland.com|publisher=The Plain Dealer|language=en}} Director of content Matt Fishman, who joined the station in January after prior work with KCSP and Sirius XM,{{Cite web|last=Venta|first=Lance|date=January 21, 2020|title=ESPN Cleveland Appoints Matt Fishman As Director Of Content|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/183643/espn-cleveland-appoints-matt-fishman-as-director-of-content/|access-date=September 25, 2021|website=RadioInsight|language=en-US|via=Radio BB}} stated that the move was not driven by any particular incident or issue, but after gauging listener feedback when controversial subjects were brought up.{{r|WKNRNoPolitics}} Fishman praised both Je'Rod Cherry and Emmett Golden for providing needed perspective during the June 2020 protests that connected to people of all backgrounds, while Golden's work helped earn him a role in co-owned WGKB/Milwaukee's relaunch with an African American-focused talk format.{{Cite web|last=Taylor|first=Rob|date=May 24, 2021|title=Does Sports Radio Value Its Black Audience?|url=https://barrettsportsmedia.com/2021/05/24/black-sports-radio-audience/|access-date=September 25, 2021|website=Barrett Media|language=en-US}}

Atypical of most radio stations, Good Karma continues to de-emphasizes Nielsen Audio ratings in favor of revenue and cash flow.{{r|Crains20080121}} Subscriber metrics for The Land on Demand and social media have been emphasized as more reliable and tangible for advertisers, with WKNR's Twitter account having more followers than any other account for like-formatted radio stations.{{Cite web|last=Futterman|first=Derek|date=August 25, 2021|title=Matt Fishman and ESPN Cleveland Are Creating Content Everywhere|url=https://barrettsportsmedia.com/2021/08/25/matt-fishman-content-everywhere/|access-date=September 25, 2021|website=Barrett Media|language=en-US}} Former Cleveland Brown quarterback Bernie Kosar signed up with WKNR in September 2020 as a contributor for The Really Big Show and The Next Level, along with launching a Land on Demand podcast.{{Cite web|last=Kleps|first=Kevin|date=September 11, 2020|title=Bernie Kosar joins ESPN Cleveland, will contribute to two radio shows and host a weekly podcast|url=https://www.crainscleveland.com/kevin-kleps-blog/bernie-kosar-joins-espn-cleveland-will-contribute-two-radio-shows-and-host-weekly|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 25, 2021|website=Crain's Cleveland Business|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=September 10, 2020|title=Bernie Joins 850 ESPN Cleveland|url=https://radioink.com/2020/09/10/bernie-joins-850-espn-cleveland/|access-date=September 25, 2021|website=Radio Ink|language=en-US}} Bruce Drennan also signed up to host a weekly sports betting podcast that WKNR would also carry on the weekends, re-associating himself with the station since his 2004 dismissal.{{Cite web|last=Metzger|first=Roger|date=August 24, 2021|title=Bruce Drennan making good on his promise to appear at the Dover Public Library|url=https://www.timesreporter.com/story/sports/2021/08/24/bruce-drennan-making-good-his-promise-appear-dover-public-library/8195497002/|access-date=September 24, 2021|website=The Times-Reporter|publisher=Gannett|language=en-US}}

Good Karma and Entercom (succeeding owners of WKRK-FM and WNCX) agreed on August 13, 2020, to a long-term contract extension with the Cleveland Browns.{{Cite web|last=Venta|first=Lance|date=August 13, 2020|title=Cleveland Browns Extend Deal With Entercom & Good Karma|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/195879/cleveland-browns-extend-deal-with-entercom-good-karma/|access-date=September 25, 2021|website=RadioInsight|language=en-US|via=Radio BB}} The extension paid off as the Browns qualified for the NFL playoffs for the first time in 18 years;{{r|FishmanCreating}} WKNR aired a 24-hour long local pregame show leading into the team's first playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, hosted by Emmett Golden throughout.{{Cite web|last=Simon|first=Perry Michael|date=February 23, 2021|title=10 Questions with ... Matt Fishman|url=https://www.allaccess.com/news-talk-sports/10-questions/archive/32740/10-questions-with-matt-fishman|access-date=September 25, 2021|website=All Access|language=en}}

In late 2021, WKNR moved its studios from the Galleria to a new location on the East Bank of The Flats in downtown Cleveland.[https://flatseastbank.com/places/espn-cleveland/ PLACES IN THE FLATS: ESPN CLEVELAND - Flats East Bank.com]

Local weekday programming on WKNR includes The Really Big Show with Tony Rizzo and Aaron Goldhammer late mornings, and The Next Level with Je'Rod Cherry and Emmett Golden in afternoon drive. Golden joins Rizzo and Goldhammer for The Really Big Show's fourth hour, dubbed RBS Next.{{Cite news|last=Morona|first=Joey|date=February 23, 2021|title=ESPN Cleveland adding Emmett Golden to 'The Really Big Show' in March|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F180D6CE552645408|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 12, 2021|via=NewsBank}} Cleveland Browns Daily with Nathan Zegura and Beau Bishop, a Browns Radio Network program exclusive to WKNR, airs middays.{{r|BrownsDealExtended}} Goldhammer and Golden also host a show Saturday mornings heard nationally on ESPN Radio.

Local PGA golf pro Jimmy Hanlin hosts a weekend golf show when the Browns aren't in season. During football season, WKNR airs High School Hysteria, a Friday night talk show focusing on area high school football games featuring scores and recaps.

WKNR carries ESPN Radio in morning drive, evenings, overnight, and the bulk of the day on weekends.{{Cite news|last=Morona|first=Joey|date=August 25, 2021|title=ESPN moves Max Kellerman from 'First Take' to morning radio show|work=The Plain Dealer|url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=NewsBank&req_dat=1082885C71926A79&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F1849BA58327659A8|url-access=subscription|access-date=September 12, 2021|via=NewsBank}}{{Cite web|last=Morona|first=Joey|date=August 5, 2020|title=ESPN Cleveland 850 to replace Mike Golic's morning show with 'Keyshawn, Jay and Zubin'|url=https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2020/08/espn-cleveland-850-to-replace-mike-golics-morning-show-with-keyshawn-jay-and-zubin.html|access-date=September 24, 2021|website=cleveland.com|publisher=The Plain Dealer|language=en}}

In conjunction with Audacy-owned WKRK-FM and WNCX, WKNR is currently the AM flagship of a 26-station radio network for the Cleveland Browns (NFL); all games are broadcast live.{{cite web|author=Grossi, Tony|date=March 28, 2013|title=ESPN 850 WKNR is the new radio home of the Cleveland Browns|url=http://espncleveland.com/common/more.php?m=49&action=blog&r=17&post_id=15161|work=ESPNCleveland.com|publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures and Good Karma Broadcasting, Inc|access-date=March 28, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510235931/http://espncleveland.com/common/more.php?m=49&action=blog&r=17&post_id=15161|archive-date=May 10, 2013}}

• {{cite web|author=Press Release|date=March 28, 2013|title=Browns Enter Into Groundbreaking Radio Partnership With ESPN 850 WKNR And CBS Radio's 92.3 The Fan And 98.5 WNCX|url=http://cleveland.cbslocal.com/2013/03/28/browns-enter-into-groundbreaking-radio-partnership-with-espn-850-wknr-and-cbs-radios-92-3-the-fan-and-98-5-wncx/|work=Cleveland.CBSLocal.com|publisher=CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc|access-date=March 28, 2013}} Browns Radio Network coverage includes the four-hour network pregame show;{{r|BrownsNewRadioHomes}} it and WKRK-FM simulcast a weekly Wednesday night preview show and a Thursday night coaches' show during the NFL season.{{r|BrownsDealExtended}} The station airs local programming around Browns game coverage including ESPN Cleveland Prime Time with Chris Oldach and ESPN reporter Jake Trotter after the game.{{Cite web|title=Landmarks & Postgame|url=https://thelandondemand.com/podcasts/landmarks-postgame/|access-date=September 24, 2021|website=thelandondemand.com|publisher=Good Karma Brands}}{{cite web|url=https://www.insideradio.com/people_moves/bruce-drennan/article_946076e6-ac4f-11ec-95e1-4b68d7d9008b.html|title=Bruce Drennan|website=InsideRadio.com}}

WKNR is additionally the Cleveland affiliate for the Ohio State Sports Network via Learfield Sports, carrying Ohio State Buckeyes (NCAA) football and men's basketball games, along with ancillary programing such as coach's shows. During football season WKNR airs local programming around OSU game coverage, with Buckeye Gameday with Nick Paulus and Kevan Arnold airing prior to the network pregame show.{{cite web |url=http://espncleveland.com/common/more.php?m=49&post_id=20111 |title=OSU on WKNR - ESPN Cleveland.com |access-date=2014-11-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130917092613/http://espncleveland.com/common/more.php?m=49&post_id=20111 |archive-date=2013-09-17 |url-status=dead }}

As Cleveland's ESPN Radio affiliate, WKNR also carries the network's national coverage of MLB, the NBA, the NFL, and NCAA football.{{r|LandDemandPostgame}}

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• {{Official website|http://www.espn.com/cleveland/}}
• {{AM station data|28509|WKNR}}
• {{Cite web|url= https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=72771 |title= FCC History Cards for WKNR|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}}

{{Cleveland Radio}}

{{Sports Radio Stations in Ohio}}

{{ESPN Ohio}}

{{Good Karma Broadcasting}}

Category:1926 establishments in Ohio

Category:ESPN Radio stations

Category:Radio stations established in 1926

KNR

Category:Sports radio stations in the United States