How A Detroit Radio Station Shaped The History Of Broadcasting

We may be a little biased, but we think radio is pretty cool. Radio has paved the way for so many avenues, and the world wouldn't be the same without it. Whether you're someone who listens on your drive to work, uses it for background noise, or listens to sports, radio offers a little something for everyone.

But what's wild to think about is that radio wouldn't be anything like it is today had it not been for one station in Detroit - a station that is still around today.

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August 20, 1920 - The Day Radio Changed

Before August 20th, 1920, radio as a form of entertainment was still in its early stages. 1910 saw the first public radio broadcast by Lee de Forest, but it wasn't until 1920 that radio's first structured radio news show hit the airwaves. Interestingly, the Detroit News, the newspaper company, led the charge in revolutionizing radio.

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8MK, known today as WWJ, was the station that showed radio's potential as a form of routine entertainment beyond just news and music. 8MK is known for many firsts in radio: beyond being the first station in Michigan, it was also the first station to broadcast a sports event, national election returns, comedy shows, and the first to broadcast live music. 

This approach to radio showed what the medium was capable of and fundamentally changed how radio was used going forward. WWJ is still around today, serving the people of Detroit with the news 24/7. As the world has moved into a digital landscape, radio continues to find ways to make impacts and stay relevant.