WHOP’s 80th Anniversary – Through the Years

WHOP went On-Air for the First time on January 8th, 1940


On Janury 8, 1940, WHOP signed on for the first time!  Take a stroll through our history while enjoying photos over the years as well as audio and broadcasts from major events like the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the JFK Assassination, and the moon landing.

Our mission is the same today as it was 80 years ago to provide the best possible News, Weather and Sports coverage in the area. WHOP has been home to the annual Hopkinsville Rotary Club Radio Auction since its beginning in 1951 and has helped raise millions of dollars to benefit the students of Christian County. We have broadcast more than 8000 local high school games in our 80 year history. CBS Radio News is our longest running program having been on the air since 1943.  Our employees have served our community in various ways including Mayor of Hopkinsville(twice) and by serving on various boards and as valuable members of local civic clubs.

We Are Hopkinsville’s Heritage Radio Station WHOP-AM

WHOP Audio History:

1940’s through Today

WHOP Sign on Broadcast, January 8, 1940

WHOP Pearl Harbor Attack Broadcasts with WHOP’s Hank Lindsey, December 1941

CBS/WHOP Death of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, April 1945

CBS/WHOP JFK Assassination, November 1963

Hal King, former WHOP News and Sports Director, On the JFK Assassination

Hopkinsville Community College groundbreaking with Gov. Ned Breathitt, 1964

CBS/WHOP Martin Luther King, Jr and Robert F. Kennedy Assassinations, 1968

CBS/WHOP Moon Landing, Introduced by WHOP’s Hank Lindsey, 1969

Funeral service held for seven Trigg County teens killed in tragic accident, WHOP’s Joe Wilson reports, December 1993.

Jim Love, WHOP, signs off the air and says goodbye

Funeral story for Jim Love, Adam May, WHOP, reports, December 2012

Eclipse visitors from Boston, WHOP’s Adam May reports, August 2017

GO HERE for Photo History

WHOP Photo History:

1940’s through Today

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GO HERE for Audio History