How do radio stations or local cable channels come up with names like WBZ, WGBH, or KTZ?

Question

I never understood how they got their names

In: Technology

Answer 1

The identifiers are assigned by the FCC when you are granted your license to broadcast. You can request any 3 letter call sign that is available, but if it is taken you get what you get.

The K vs W distinction tells whether you are west (K) or east (W) of the Mississippi river (though their are a few exceptions. There is also N, but that is for military broadcasts.