WPAD
title: "WPAD" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["radio-stations-in-kentucky", "infinity-sports-network-stations", "sports-radio-stations-in-the-united-states", "radio-stations-established-in-1941", "1941-establishments-in-kentucky", "mass-media-in-paducah,-kentucky", "sports-in-paducah,-kentucky"] topic_path: "sports" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WPAD" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::data[format=table title="Infobox radio station"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | WPAD |
| logo | PaducahFan.png |
| city | Paducah, Kentucky |
| branding | 99.5 The Fan |
| frequency | 1560 kHz |
| translator | 99.5 W258AN (Paducah) |
| | airdate | | | format | Sports | | power | 1,000 watts day 35 watts night | | class | D | | facility_id | 54720 | | coordinates | | | callsign_meaning | W PADucah | | affiliations | Fox Sports Radio | | owner | Bristol Broadcasting Company, Inc. | | sister_stations | WBMP, WDDJ, WDXR, WKYQ, WKYX-FM, WLLE, WNGO, WZYK | | webcast | Listen Live | | website | 995thefanpaducah.com | | licensing_authority | FCC | ::
| name = WPAD | logo = PaducahFan.png | city = Paducah, Kentucky | area = | branding = 99.5 The Fan | frequency = 1560 kHz | translator = 99.5 W258AN (Paducah)
| airdate = | format = Sports | power = 1,000 watts day 35 watts night | class = D | facility_id = 54720 | coordinates = | callsign_meaning = W PADucah | former_callsigns = | affiliations = Fox Sports Radio | owner = Bristol Broadcasting Company, Inc. | licensee = | sister_stations = WBMP, WDDJ, WDXR, WKYQ, WKYX-FM, WLLE, WNGO, WZYK | webcast = Listen Live | website = 995thefanpaducah.com | licensing_authority = FCC
WPAD (1560 AM) is a radio station broadcasting a sports format. Licensed to Paducah, Kentucky, United States. The station is owned by the Bristol Broadcasting Company, Inc.
1560 AM is a United States clear-channel frequency; KNZR and WFME share Class A status on this frequency.
History
Early years
WPAD is the fifth oldest radio broadcasting station in Kentucky, founded in 1930 by Pierce Lackey, with its inaugural broadcast taking place on August 23, billed as "The Voice of Western Kentucky." The opening of this station marked the return of radio in Paducah after the shutdown of the short-lived WIAR, which operated from 1922 until 1924.
WPAD initially broadcast on 1420 kHz with a 100 watt signal.
Ohio River Flood of 1937
WPAD was one of several radio stations that was impacted by the infamous Ohio River flood of 1937; the station was temporarily relocated to a garage in Avondale Heights in order to remain of the air.
Power increases and CBS affiliation
In 1941, the power was increased to 250 watts, and the frequency was changed to 1450 kHz. In 1943, the station joined the CBS radio network. In 1946, WPAD-FM (now WDDJ) was established as the first FM broadcasting station in the state, continuing with FM simulcast of the AM until the 1970s. In 1962, the power was increased to 1,000 watts.
Ownership changes
In 1967, Lackey died and the station was purchased by Union City, Tennessee, businessman Ed Fritts and his wife, Ruth, for a price of $158,000. In the 1970s, the FM call letters were changed to WDDJ and the FM programming was changed to progressive rock.
In 1984, the stations were sold to Bill Bereman of Indianapolis, who would later sell the station to Purchase Broadcasting (presided by Lee Hagan) in 1991. In 1996, the stations were purchased by Bristol Broadcasting, owner of WKYX and WKYQ. WPAD exchanged frequencies with WDXR, and continued to operate on 1560 kHz with an "oldies" format.
Recent developments
On October 22, 2014, WPAD was granted a Federal Communications Commission construction permit to decrease day power to 1,000 watts and decrease night power to 35 watts. The license to cover for the new facility was granted on April 28, 2017.
Programming
Weekdays
- Erik Kuselias – The Erik Kuselias Show – 5a-6a
- The Jeff Bidwell Show – 6a-9a
- Kentucky Sports Radio – 9a-11a
- The Dan Patrick Show – 11a-2p (Tape Delayed)
- The Rich Eisen Show – 2p-5p (Tape Delayed)
- Steve Gorman Sports – 5p-7p
- J.T. The Brick w/ Tomm Looney – 7p-10p
- The Jason Smith Show w/ Mike Harmon - 10p-1a
- The Ben Maller Show w/ Eddie Garcia – 1a-5a
Special Programming
- McCracken County High School Sports
- Live Church Programming (Sundays 10a-Noon)
- Nashville Predators Radio Network (limited) (NHL)
- Tennessee Titans Radio Network (NFL)
- Marshall Toy Sports Show (Mondays 5p-7p)
References
References
- Nash, Francis M.. (1995). "Towers Over Kentucky: A History of Radio and TV in the Bluegrass State". HOST Communications.
- "WPAD Facility Record". United States [[Federal Communications Commission]], audio division.
- Walker, Joe. (August 21, 2000). "Paducah, Ky., Honors Radio Station after 70 Years of Operation". The Paducah Sun.
- [http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/Auth_Files/1751782.pdf License File Number: BL-20170216ADQ] Federal Communications Commission
- [http://www.foxsportsradio.com/articles/line-up-381855/fox-sports-radio-weekday-lineup-11579982/ Weekday lineup]
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