WMFD (630 AM) is a commercial radio station licensed to Wilmington, North Carolina, United States. It is owned by the Capitol Broadcasting Company and broadcasts a sports format, primarily from ESPN Radio. The radio studios and offices are on North Kerr Avenue in Wilmington.ESPNwilmington.com/station-information The transmitter is off Sampson Street in Navassa, North Carolina.
Programming is simulcast on 250-watt FM translator W269DF at 101.7 MHz. WMFD is also heard on the HD Radio digital subchannel of co-owned WKXB-HD3.
History WMFD signed on the air on September 15, 1935. It is Wilmington's oldest, though not its first, radio station. It has retained its original call sign throughout its history."AM Query Results: First license date" (FCC.gov).
In 1954, the station launched WMFD-TV Channel 6, Wilmington's first TV station, now WECT.
In May 1996, Community Broadcasting sold radio stations WMFD, WUOY, and WBMS to a new company called Ocean Broadcasting. As a talk station, WMFD added Dr. Laura Schlessinger and The Fabulous Sports Babe, as well as CNN Headline News part of the time.Kristina Bartlett, "WUOY-FM, WMFD-AM AND WBMS-AM / Stations Sold to Ocean Broadcasting; New Company Purchases 3 Wilmington Radio Stations," Star-News, May 17, 1996. In 1999, WMFD was airing Don Imus' morning show from New York City.Toby Eddings, "Imus on a local station? Not yet," The Sun News, Jan. 14, 1999.
In 2000, WMFD changed to sports radio and added the minor-league baseball team Wilmington Waves.Chuck Carree, "Waves Baseball; Sports Station to Carry All Games," Star-News, November 16, 2000.
In July 2004, NextMedia Group purchased WRQR, WAZO, and WMFD from Ocean Broadcasting, and WKXB and WSFM from Sea-Comm Inc.Bonnie Eksten, "Ocean Broadcasting, Sea-Comm Stations Sold to NextMedia - New Owner to Operate Locally," Star-News, July 14, 2004.
In July 2008, Capitol Broadcasting announced its purchase of NextMedia's Wilmington stations.
In 2026 Curtis Media Group purchased WMFD and five other stations from Capitol Broadcasting's Sunrise Broadcasting for $1.75 million.
Translator In addition to the main station, WMFD is relayed by FM translator W269DF 101.7 to widen its broadcast area. This station rebroadcast WLTT prior to 2014.
References
External links Official Website ESPN Wilmington WMFD 101.7FM AM630 Facebook page
FCC History Cards for WMFD (covering 1934-1981)