| WPJK | |
| City: | Orangeburg, South Carolina |
| Branding: | ESPN Orangeburg |
| Frequency: | 1580 kHz |
| Translator: | 92.9 W225DB (Orangeburg) |
| Airdate: | (as WBPD) |
| Format: | Sports |
| Power: | 3,300 watts days 22 watts nights |
| Class: | D |
| Facility Id: | 6447 |
| Former Callsigns: | WBPD (1959–1961) WORG (1961–1985) WBLO (1985–1986)[1] |
| Owner: | South Carolina State University |
| Website: | espnorangeburg.com |
| Licensing Authority: | FCC |
WPJK (1580 kHz) is an AM radio station licensed to Orangeburg, South Carolina. It airs a sports radio format and is owned by South Carolina State University, a historically black institution.[2] While the university is a non-profit organization, WPJK is a commercial radio station. It largely airs programming from ESPN Radio, with some South Carolina-based sports shows.
By day, WPJK is powered at 3,300 watts. But because 1580 AM is a Canadian clear channel frequency, WPJK must greatly reduce power at night to 22 watts to avoid interference to other stations.[3] Programming is also heard on 250-watt FM translator W224DB at 92.9 MHz.[4]
The station signed on the air on .[5] Its original call sign was WBPD and it was a daytimer station, required to go off the air each night. The station was a network affiliate of the Mutual Broadcasting System. During the 1960s and 70s, it was a Top 40 station.
The call letters were changed to WORG on May 14, 1984. On September 9, 1985 the station changed its call sign to WBLO, and on February 17, 1986 to the current WPJK.[6]
On April 8, 2017, an application was filed for a construction permit to move to a new transmitter site, increase day power to 3,300 watts and add night authorization of 22 watts. The application was accepted for filing on April 18, 2017.[7]
On April 17, 2017, WPJK filed an application with the Federal Communications Commission to transfer the license from Ermma Barton Gowdy to South Carolina State University.[8] The purchase by South Carolina State was consummated on August 19, 2017.
On September 12, 2021, WPJK relaunched as "ESPN Orangeburg" with programming from ESPN Radio, and partially simulcasting some local sports programming from WQXL 1470 AM in Columbia.[9]