WIOD History

By Jessi Minneci

WIOD: SERVING SOUTH FLORIDA FOR MORE THAN 90 YEARS

For more than 90 years, we have watched South Florida grow in size and population to become an international community filled with diverse culture, passion, politics and pride. 

Experimental broadcasts began in 1925 by Carl Graham Fisher. 

The station made its formal debut on the South Florida airwaves on January 19, 1926. Fisher selected WIOD as the call letters signifying the "Wonderful Isle Of Dreams" to commemorate Collins Island, on which the station was originally situated. 

WIOD is Florida's seventh oldest continuously licensed broadcast radio station.

On June 16, 1981 WIOD began operating with 10,000 watts day and night to overcome interference caused by a station in Cuba. This special temporary authority, granted by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), has been renewed on a regular basis since then.

NewsRadio 610 WIOD has been there throughout South Florida's entire journey through modern history, beginning 1926, and entertaining and reporting the happenings of South Florida and the world.

WIOD has been a frequent winner in annual Florida Associated Press statewide competitions.

HISTORICAL EVENTS FROM OUR FIRST YEAR ON AIR

WIOD HOSTS Throughout The Years

  • 1 of 25
    A Look At WIOD Hosts Throughout The Years

    A Look At WIOD Hosts Throughout The Years

    A Look At WIOD Hosts Throughout The Years

  • 2 of 25
    Elliot "Biggie" Nevins - On WIOD from 1949-1966

    Elliot "Biggie" Nevins - On WIOD from 1949-1966

    Elliot "Biggie" Nevins - On WIOD from 1949-1966

  • 3 of 25
    Henry Barrow - On WIOD in 1964 as the morning news anchor and sportscaster

    Henry Barrow - On WIOD in 1964 as the morning news anchor and sportscaster

    Henry Barrow - On WIOD in 1964 as the morning news anchor and sportscaster

  • 4 of 25
    Bill Calder - On WIOD from 1976-77 and then again in 1986-87

    Bill Calder - On WIOD from 1976-77 and then again in 1986-87

    Bill Calder, - On WIOD from 1976-77 and then again in 1986-87

  • 5 of 25
    Mike Reineri

    Mike Reineri

    Mike Reineri - Hosted the last music show (Adult Contemporary format) on WIOD from 6 to 10 a.m. 1974 - 1989. Then did his own Morning Show thru 1995

  • 6 of 25
    Sandy Payton

    Sandy Payton

    Sandy Payton

  • 7 of 25
    Suds with show's producer Adam Kirschner

    Suds with show's producer Adam Kirschner

    Suds with show's producer Adam Kirschner

  • 8 of 25
    Rick and Suds in studio

    Rick and Suds in studio

    Rick and Suds in the WIOD studio

  • 9 of 25
    Former WIOD News Producer and Producer for Phil Hendrie - Andrew Kalb

    Former WIOD News Producer and Producer for Phil Hendrie - Andrew Kalb

    Andrew Kalb - Former WIOD News Producer and Producer for Phil Hendrie

  • 10 of 25
    Erin Somers was on WIOD in 1994

    Erin Somers was on WIOD in 1994

    Erin Somers - WIOD in 1994

  • 11 of 25
    Rick and Suds and Randi Rhodes Producer Adam Kirschner 1991

    Rick and Suds and Randi Rhodes Producer Adam Kirschner 1991

    Adam Krischner - Rick and Suds and Randi Rhodes Producer, 1991

  • 12 of 25
    Sonny Hirsch - The Voice of the Miami Hurricanes

    Sonny Hirsch - The Voice of the Miami Hurricanes

    Sonny Hirsch - The Voice of the Miami Hurricanes

  • 13 of 25
    Larry King and Bill Calder

    Larry King and Bill Calder

    Larry King and Bill Calder

  • 14 of 25
    Larry King - WIOD host, 1978

    Larry King - WIOD host, 1978

    Larry King - WIOD host, 1978

  • 15 of 25
    Phil Hendrie, - On WIOD from 1994-96

    Phil Hendrie, - On WIOD from 1994-96

    Phil Hendrie - On WIOD from 1994-96

  • 16 of 25
    Rick ans Suds circa 1994

    Rick ans Suds circa 1994

    Rick ans Suds circa 1994

  • 17 of 25
    Neil Rodgers circa 1994

    Neil Rodgers circa 1994

    Neil Rodgers circa 1994

  • 18 of 25
    Kim Bokamper was on WIOD in 1993

    Kim Bokamper was on WIOD in 1993

    Kim Bokamper - WIOD in 1993

  • 19 of 25
    Jeff "Defo" DeForrest was WIOD in 1993

    Jeff "Defo" DeForrest was WIOD in 1993

    Jeff "Defo" DeForrest - WIOD in 1993, Now on 940WINZ

  • 20 of 25
    Jim "Maddog" Mandich was on WIOD in 1993

    Jim "Maddog" Mandich was on WIOD in 1993

    Jim "Maddog" Mandich - WIOD in 1993

  • 21 of 25
    Rick and Suds, On WIOD from 1991 - 1997

    Rick and Suds, On WIOD from 1991 - 1997

    Rick and Suds, On WIOD from 1991 - 1997

  • 22 of 25
    Neil Rogers - moved to WIOD from WZTA on Nov.1 1988 - 1997

    Neil Rogers - moved to WIOD from WZTA on Nov.1 1988 - 1997

    Neil Rogers - moved to WIOD from WZTA on Nov.1 1988 - 1997

  • 23 of 25
    Sonny Hirsch - On WIOD in 1983-1997

    Sonny Hirsch - On WIOD in 1983-1997

    Sonny Hirsch - On WIOD in 1983-1997

  • 24 of 25
    Glen Hill was on WIOD in 1989

    Glen Hill was on WIOD in 1989

    Glen Hill was on WIOD in 1989

  • 25 of 25
    Jorge Rodriguez - Producer of Neil Rodgers

    Jorge Rodriguez - Producer of Neil Rodgers

    Jorge Rodriguez - Producer of Neil Rodgers

Old Photos And Great Memories

  • 1 of 22
    Early Advertisement

    Early Advertisement

    Early Advertisement

  • 2 of 22
    Tal Henry's North Carolinians postcard

    Tal Henry's North Carolinians postcard

    An unused AZO back real photo postcard of Tal Henry's North Carolinians. There is some album residue on the back. With the Call Letters of Station W I O D on a sign in the fore ground.

  • 3 of 22
    Royal Palm Park circa 1929

    Royal Palm Park circa 1929

    Royal Palm Park circa 1929

  • 4 of 22
    Miami Bay circa 1929

    Miami Bay circa 1929

    Miami Bay circa 1929

  • 5 of 22
    Original Two Broadcasting Towers

    Original Two Broadcasting Towers

    Original Two Broadcasting Towers

  • 6 of 22
    WIOD - The Wonderful Isle Of Dreams

    WIOD - The Wonderful Isle Of Dreams

    WIOD - Wonderful Isle Of Dreams

  • 7 of 22
    610 WIOD American Flag bumper sticker circa 1994

    610 WIOD American Flag bumper sticker circa 1994

    610 WIOD American Flag bumper sticker circa 1994

  • 8 of 22
    610 WIOD Hurricanes bumper sticker circa 1998

    610 WIOD Hurricanes bumper sticker circa 1998

    610 WIOD Hurricanes bumper sticker circa 1998

  • 9 of 22
    News Radio 610 WIOD Editing Booths

    News Radio 610 WIOD Editing Booths

    News Radio 610 WIOD Editing Booths

  • 10 of 22
    News Radio 610 WIOD On-air Studio

    News Radio 610 WIOD On-air Studio

    News Radio 610 WIOD On-air Studio

  • 11 of 22
    610 WIOD Dolphins bumper sticker circa 1995

    610 WIOD Dolphins bumper sticker circa 1995

    610 WIOD Dolphins bumper sticker circa 1995

  • 12 of 22
    WIOD building on 79th Street Causeway. At that time known as Cameo Island.

    WIOD building on 79th Street Causeway. At that time known as Cameo Island.

    WIOD building on 79th Street Causeway. At that time known as Cameo Island.

  • 13 of 22
    Early Advertisement

    Early Advertisement

    Early Advertisement

  • 14 of 22
    WIOD Studios and control room circa 1994

    WIOD Studios and control room circa 1994

    WIOD Studios and control room circa 1994

  • 15 of 22
    In The WIOD Studio with Paul Harvey

    In The WIOD Studio with Paul Harvey

    In The WIOD Studio with Paul Harvey

  • 16 of 22
    Eddie Rickenbacker

    Eddie Rickenbacker

    Eddie Rickenbacker meeting with Mayor Sensenbrenner and Harry Munyan "Mayor Sensenbrenner reads proclamation for recording by WIOD's Harry Munyan (the Rambler) during interview for broadcast in Miami." This meeting may have been in conjunction with Eastern Air Lines' inaugural flight from Columbus to Miami in the mid-1950's.

  • 17 of 22
    Vintage Newspaper article

    Vintage Newspaper article

    Vintage Newspaper article

  • 18 of 22
    News Radio 610 WIOD Control Booth

    News Radio 610 WIOD Control Booth

    News Radio 610 WIOD Control Booth

  • 19 of 22
    News Radio 610 WIOD Newsroom

    News Radio 610 WIOD Newsroom

    News Radio 610 WIOD Newsroom

  • 20 of 22
    Current WIOD Control Room

    Current WIOD Control Room

    Current WIOD Control Room

  • 21 of 22
    News Radio 610 WIOD studios today.

    News Radio 610 WIOD studios today.

    News Radio 610 WIOD studios today.

  • 22 of 22
    Miami Biscayne Bay circa 1930

    Miami Biscayne Bay circa 1930

    Miami Biscayne Bay circa 1930

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