WDAE

WDAE (620 AM) is a commercial radio station licensed to St. Petersburg, Florida, serving the Tampa Bay area. Owned by iHeartMedia, WDAE and its co-owned partner WDAE-FM (95.7 FM) broadcast a sports radio format. It is one of the oldest radio stations in Florida still on the air today, first going live in 1922.

The station’s studios and offices are located on Ulmerton Road in Clearwater, Pinellas County, while its transmitter is near the Gandy Bridge in St. Petersburg. WDAE is licensed to broadcast with 5,600 watts during the day and 5,500 watts at night. Because of interference from strong signals from Cuba, the Federal Communications Commission has allowed WDAE to use higher power levels of 11,280 watts in the daytime and 11,000 watts at night since 1983. At night, it uses a directional antenna to manage its signal.

In the past, WDAE used the iBiquity HD radio system during the day. Its programming is also available on WDAE-FM at 95.7 FM.

Programming

WDAE has two local shows on weekdays. In the mornings, you can hear "The Pat and Aaron Show" with Pat Donovan and Aaron Jacobson. Later in the afternoon, Tom Krasniqi hosts a show. The rest of the day, WDAE plays programming from Fox Sports Radio.

History

WDAE AM 1250 history

On December 1, 1921, the U.S. Department of Commerce set rules for radio stations. On May 15, 1922, the Tampa Times got a license for a radio station, using the call sign WDAE. WDAE started broadcasting on May 17, 1922, becoming the second radio station in Florida. Over the years, it changed frequencies and formats, from dramas and comedies in the 1940s and 50s to music shows later on.

In 1999, the station joined Clear Channel, now known as iHeartMedia, and switched to sports talks.

WSUN AM 620 history

For the history of the 620 frequency before WDAE, see WSUN (AM).

WSUN began broadcasting on November 1, 1927, and was run by the city of St. Petersburg. It was an early partner with ABC Radio and later played country music. In 1998, it changed its call letters to WSAA and started playing news from Bay News 9.

WDAE moves to 620

On New Year's Day 2000, WDAE moved from AM 1250 to AM 620, switching places with another station. In late 2012, WDAE became the home of ESPN Radio in Tampa Bay, but switched to Fox Sports Radio shows in 2024, except for local morning and afternoon programs. WTMP took over ESPN Radio.

On November 28, 2018, WDAE started calling itself "95.3 WDAE" using its FM translator in its name.

Sports team associations

WDAE is the main station for Tampa Bay Rays baseball games, South Florida Bulls football, and Florida Gators men's basketball. It also covers the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg car race each year.

It used to be the main station for Tampa Bay Buccaneers football and Tampa Bay Lightning hockey, but those games moved to other stations. WDAE still plays interviews with players and coaches during game weeks.

Move to 95.7 FM

On February 13, 2026, iHeartMedia said WDAE's FM broadcast would move from 95.3 to WRUB at 95.7 FM, changing its call sign to WDAE-FM on February 23. The 95.3 frequency would then play "Rumba" music.