WFTD
| City | Marietta, Georgia |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Atlanta metropolitan area |
| Frequency | 1080 kHz (analog) |
| Translator(s) | 96.1 W241BK (Marietta) |
| First air date | November 14, 1955 |
| Format | Oldies |
| Power | 50,000 watts day 30,000 watts critical hours |
| Class | D |
| Transmitter coordinates | 34°01′24″N 84°40′03″W / 34.023303°N 84.667372°W |
| Callsign meaning | Waiting For The Day (previous religious format) |
| Former callsigns | WBIE (1955-1974) WCOB (1974–1985) WEKS (1985–1987) WECA (1987–1988) |
| Owner | Prieto Broadcasting, Inc. |
WFTD (1080 kHz) is a commercial AM radio station licensed to Marietta, Georgia and serving the Atlanta metropolitan area. The station is owned by Prieto Broadcasting, Inc. and airs an oldies format. Programming is also heard on FM translator W241BK at 96.1 MHz.
By day, WFTD operates at the maximum power permitted for AM radio stations, 50,000 watts. During critical hours it runs 30,000 watts, in both cases using a directional antenna system. WFTD is classified as a Class D station according to the Federal Communications Commission, so it must sign-off during nighttime hours to avoid interference to clear channel stations WTIC in Hartford, Connecticut, and KRLD in Dallas, also on AM 1080.
On November 14, 1955, WBIE signed on as a full-service daytimer facility owned by James M. Wilder. Wilder later started a simulcast on WBIE-FM 101.5 MHz (now WKHX-FM). WBIE's original operating frequency was 1050 kHz, powered at 500 watts, using a non-directional antenna. In 1965, WBIE moved to 1080 kHz with 10,000 watts directional, still daytime only. That enabled WBIE to pick up the CBS Radio Network affiliation for the Metro Atlanta area, which it held onto well into the 1970s. Several noted newscasters worked at WBIE early in their careers, including Steve Walsh (later at KGO/ABC News), and Chris Little (KFI News Director). Over the years, the station switched call signs, to WCOB in 1978, WEKS in 1985, and WJYA in 1987. WFTD's current call sign has remained with the station since 1988.
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