Cumulus Media’s WNAM/1280 (Neenah-Menasha) has announced plans to go silent at the end of 2025, the latest in a continuing trend of AM stations going off the air.
“This difficult decision comes in response to evolving listener habits and economic realities that have reshaped the media landscape,” the station said in a Dec. 17 announcement thanking listeners and advertisers for support over WNAM’s 78-year history.
WNAM is operated as part of Cumulus’ group based in Oshkosh. It has long carried WestwoodOne’s Adult Standards network.
The station formally notified the FCC on Dec. 18 of its plans to go silent, stating, “Cumulus is in the process of deciding whether to change format or sell the station.”
Cumulus and other companies have taken several other AM stations off the air in 2025, including a station in Des Moines. Federal law allows stations to be off the air for up to one year before their license is permanently deleted.
Cumulus also announced that Wisconsin Timber Rattlers baseball broadcasts will move from WNAM to WOSH/1490 (Oshkosh) and W230DB/93.9 (Oshkosh) in the 2026 season.
WNAM transmits with 5kW, using different directional patterns day and night. The station is one of very few that acknowledge DX reports on its website, with reception reported from multiple locations in northern Europe.
It does not have an FM translator.
FCC records indicate Neenah-Menasha Broadcasting Company signed on WNAM in 1947. It has always had the same callsign and frequency, a rarity in AM broadcasting.
WNAM initially transmitted only during the daytime hours with 1kW non-directional. It added nighttime service in 1950 using a directional 1kW signal. Then in 1963, it upgraded to 5kW during the day, using a different directional signal, and the nighttime power was later upgraded to 5kW.
WNAM also briefly operated WNAM-TV on channel 42 in 1954.
This item was first posted Dec. 17 and updated Dec. 19 with information on the FCC filing.