WSB History - the 1930s

In the next decade, radio became the dominant home entertainment outlet for Americans suffering the financial hardships of the Great Depression. The programming patterns we still see on television today—news and talk shows in the morning; soaps in the afternoon; drama and comedy at night—developed during these years. Program logs indicate WSB was airing “Amos and Andy” as early as April, 1929. The station increased its power to 1000 watts shortly thereafter. And Governor James Cox of Ohio bought WSB and The Atlanta Journal as the 1930s came to a close.

Hear the story of Amos and Andy's controversial-but-unprecedented popularity -- and its effect on WSB history. [1:51]

Hear WSB's Chris Chandler discuss the influence of Atlanta natives "Amos and Andy" in the late 1920s and early 1930s. [6:10]