Manitowoc's local radio station is celebrating a major milestone! WOMT Radio marks 100 years on the air this year, honoring a century of connecting the community through news, entertainment, and local storytelling.
WOMT first signed on the air at 5:30 p.m. on November 8, 1926, when founding broadcaster Francis Kadow launched the station from the second floor of the Mikadow Theatre on Washington Street in Manitowoc. The station’s call letters reflect its origins—standing for “World’s Only Mikadow Theatre.” In the early days of radio, programming ranged from local news bulletins and musical performances to church services and election results. These broadcasts quickly made the station a trusted source of information for residents throughout Manitowoc County and the surrounding area.
(Photo: 2010.20.4 Manitowoc County Historical Society)
Over the decades, WOMT grew along with the community. Today, the station is owned by Seehafer Broadcasting, a family-run company that has continued the tradition of local radio while expanding programming and offerings. Broadcasting on 1240 AM and 107.9 FM, and now also available to a wider audience on 98.9 FM, WOMT features a mix of talk radio, a wide range of music, and local sports coverage. The station is known for its focus on local content—providing regional news, interviews with community leaders, and discussions on issues important to Manitowoc and the surrounding Lakeshore area. Popular on-air programs include Be My Guest, which features a different local guest daily, and Open Mic, which allows listeners to call in and voice their opinions.
To celebrate its 100th anniversary, WOMT is hosting a full year of special events and promotions throughout 2026. Festivities include “Hungry for History,” a 1920s-themed dinner in partnership with the Manitowoc County Historical Society, along with a Historic Radio Showcase exhibit at the Manitowoc Public Library featuring vintage radios from across the decades.
The celebration continues throughout the year with community partnerships and special appearances. WOMT will serve as a major presenting sponsor for events like the Manitowoc County Fair and the July 3rd Celebration, helping bring fun and entertainment to the Lakeshore.
Listeners also have the chance to win big during the anniversary year. The Secret Cash Giveaway hides $100 somewhere in Manitowoc County each week, with clues posted on the station’s social media channels. Other promotions include weekly History Trivia contests and additional giveaways that together award tens of thousands of dollars in prizes.
After 100 years on the air, WOMT continues to do what it has always done best—serve as a voice for the community. As the station celebrates this historic anniversary, it’s not just honoring its past, but also looking ahead to the next century of local broadcasting along Wisconsin’s Lakeshore. For more information and upcoming events about WOMT 100, go to www.womtradio.com/100years.
