Local AM staple WTMA celebrates 70 years

From its first remote-signal broadcast at the historic Dock Street Theatre on the peninsula to its current high-tech home on Faber Place Drive in North Charleston, WTMA-AM 1250 has seen plenty of change since taking to the airwaves exactly 70 years ago today.

Throughout its history, WTMA has been known as "Radio Charleston"; "The Mighty TMA"; "Tiger Radio"; "Music Radio"; "Talk Radio"; "News Talk"; and currently "The Big Talker," anchored by local talk-jocks Richard Todd of "The Morning Buzz" and Rocky D of "Radio-Free Rocky D."

But some thing have stayed the same: "Today, WTMA remains the only AM radio station in Charleston that has retained its original call letters," the broadcaster said in statement Friday.

In proclamations marking the septuagenarian station's anniversary, Gov. Mark Sanford and Mayor Joe Riley have declared today as WTMA Day. The station is owned and operated by Las Vegas-based Citadel Broadcasting.

Delta direct

Getting to historic Beantown from historic Chucktown has gotten easier.

Delta Air Lines and Charleston County Aviation Authority held a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday to mark the beginning of the carrier's nonstop service to Boston. That additional flight marks the 14th city Charleston serves directly. Aviation authority representatives called Boston one of their top markets.

Delta, which will soon celebrate 75 years at the Charleston International Airport, is the largest carrier into and out of the Holy City with 19 flights every day.

Moving product

Inc. magazine recently described the joy and pain felt by a Mount Pleasant company after it swapped business models for higher profits and a less soulful mission.

AbundaTrade.com, which was profiled in the publication's "Case Study" section, was created after founder Kent Wagner closed the last Millennium Music store last summer.

The online venture swaps CDs, DVDs and books for electronic devices such as iPods or for cold hard cash, and it's found some success. Revenue could hit $3 million this year, according to the article, or about 50 percent more than Wagner's former King Street music emporium ever generated. But the article noted that something intangible got lost once the company shifted away from the brick-and-mortar business model. "We're no longer selling our appreciation of music — it's all about moving product out the door now," employee Robert Bondurant was quoted as saying.

Defining moment

Knology Inc. is nearly doubling down on its high-definition television offerings.

The West Point, Ga.-based communication company plans to add 13 more HD channels to its local cable TV lineup this week, bringing the total to 34. The new selections for Knology subscribers are: Animal Planet, Science Channel, Planet Green, The Weather Channel, HGTV, Food Network, ABC Family, Disney Channel, FX, AMC, Fox Sports Carolina, Speed and the Outdoor Channel.

The company also now offers enhanced video-on-demand content to Charleston customers, who can choose from an expanded library of free content that includes movies, children's programs, TV programs and more. "We have increased content storage capacity, allowing us to provide even more choices now and in the future," said Tony Palermo, vice president of marketing.

Knology also noted that it is seeing robust growth in both residential and business connections, in all its markets, including Charleston. That contributed to a 3.3 percent increase in revenue during its first quarter, said Todd Holt, the company's president and chief financial officer.

Tuning in

Television's switch from analog to digital transmission signals last Friday has been a tidy boon to Comcast in Charleston. "We picked up several hundred new customers this week because of the digital transition," said Bill Watson, general manager. "We are in an all-hands-on-deck kind of situation this week and next week."

To entice people into the world of cable, the company offers free basic subscription for a year for new customers who add at least one additional Comcast offering of Internet or phone service. It also offers basic cable at $10 a month for a year for new customers without any additional Comcast service, as well as basic cable for additional TV sets at no additional monthly fee for current customers.

Chilling out

Summer heat is beating down already, but your wallet doesn't have to get burned by high utility bills. State-owned utility Santee Cooper offers a number of tips to keep the heat at bay and keep your home cooler, whether you are a customer or not.

Installing energy-efficient windows, especially Energy Star-qualified sets, save money and energy by blocking the summer sun and reducing condensation and interior fading. In a typical home, replacing double-pane, clear glass windows with Energy Star windows can save up to $111 a year, according to Energy Star.

Window coverings also help deflect the sun's rays. Awnings, blinds, draperies, high-reflexivity films, insulated panels, mesh screens, shades, shutters and storm panels are good sun blockers. Caulking and weather-stripping around windows also help to keep cool air inside and prevent air leakage.

The Moncks Corner-based utility also offers low-interest energy efficiency loans. The current interest rate is 1.25 percent. For lots of energy-saving ideas, visit www.santeecoopergreen.com.