WAHR

Last updated

WAHR
WAHR Star99.1 logo.png
Broadcast area Huntsville metropolitan area
Frequency 99.1 MHz (HD Radio)
BrandingStar 99.1
Programming
Format Adult Contemporary
Subchannels HD2: Urban Contemporary "98.1 The Beat"
Ownership
OwnerSouthern Stone Communications, LLC
WLOR, WRTT-FM
History
First air date
July 28, 1959;65 years ago (1959-07-28)
Call sign meaning
Arnold Hornbuckle's Records [1]
Technical information [2]
Licensing authority
 FCC
Facility ID 70501
Class C0
ERP 100,000 watts
HAAT 300 meters (980 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
 34°47′53″N86°38′24″W / 34.79806°N 86.64000°W / 34.79806; -86.64000
Translator(s) 98.1 W251AC (Capshaw) (relays HD2)
Links
Public license information
Webcast
Website

WAHR (99.1 FM, "Star 99.1") is a commercial radio station in Huntsville, Alabama. [3] It broadcasts an adult contemporary radio format, and is owned by Southern Stone Communications, LLC. WAHR's studios are off University Drive (U.S. 72) in Huntsville.

Contents

WAHR is a Class C0 station. It has an effective radiated power (ERP) of 100,000 watts, the maximum for most stations. The signal covers most of northern Alabama and southern central Tennessee. Its transmitter is on NW Juniper Drive, north of the city. [4] WAHR broadcasts using HD Radio technology. Its HD2 subchannel carries an urban contemporary format, known as "98.1 The Beat." The subchannel feeds 180-watt FM translator W251AC at 98.1 MHz in Capshaw. [5]

History

Arnold Hornbuckle

WAHR signed on the air on July 28, 1959. [6] It was founded by Huntsville businessman Arnold Hornbuckle. WAHR was Alabama's first stand-alone FM radio station, without an AM companion. The call letters stand for 'Arnold Hornbuckle Records.' [1] At the time of licensing, he owned Hornbuckle's Record Shop, also in Huntsville. Shortly after the station began broadcasting, Bill Lane became the station's manager and a minority shareholder. Lane retired in 1990.

From its founding, the station had its studios and offices in the Times Building on East Holmes Avenue, headquarters for The Huntsville Daily Times . In the early 1960s, a signature station phrase was "Broadcasting from the top of The Times Building." Some of the station's early program hosts were U.S. Army servicemen stationed at Redstone Arsenal. The station received a fan letter from noted aerospace engineer Dr. Wernher von Braun complimenting the station on its classical music programs. By the 1970s, the station had dropped fine arts programming in favor of what became known as adult contemporary music, which is roughly its present format. (Public radio station WLRH took over classical broadcasting to the area when it began in 1976.)

After nearly 40 years serving the Tennessee Valley, Hornbuckle retired, selling the station in July 1999. In 2009, Hornbuckle was inducted into the Alabama Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame. He died in 2012. [7]

Black Crow Media

WAHR was acquired by Black Crow Media Group, whose other local radio stations include WRTT-FM and WLOR. In November 2001, due to a proposed refinancing of the parent company, license holder STG Media, LLC, applied to the FCC to transfer the licenses of WAHR, WLOR, and WRTT-FM to Black Crow Media Group subsidiary BCA Media, LLC. [8] Just two days later, another application was filed to shift the licenses to BCA Radio, LLC. [9] The FCC approved the moves on November 15, 2001, and the consummation of the transaction occurred on November 19, 2001. [8]

In June 2009, the station transitioned from an adult contemporary music format to a Hot AC music mix. As of May 2013, though, the station had returned to its former mainstream AC format.

Chapter 11

In January 2010, Black Crow Media Group and its subsidiaries filed for "Chapter 11" bankruptcy, seeking to reorganize rather than be broken up. A filing with the FCC notified the Commission of the involuntary transfer of the license from BCA Radio, LLC, to an entity known as BCA Radio, LLC, Debtor-In-Possession. [10]

In November 2011, Black Crow Media Group announced that it was reorganizing its radio holdings and consolidating the four subsidiaries acting as debtors in possession (including BCA Radio, LLC) into a new company named Southern Stone Communications, LLC. The FCC approved the transfer on December 19, 2011. [11]

Awards

In November 2007, WAHR won the American Cancer Society's Mid-South Division award for best radio supporter for 2006-07. The station was cited for having "strongly supported" the ACS's Relay for Life, gala, golf tournament and other events sponsored by the national and local cancer organizations. [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WMXC</span> Radio station in Mobile, Alabama

WMXC is a commercial radio station licensed to Mobile, Alabama, and serving the Mobile and Pensacola metropolitan areas. The station broadcasts an adult contemporary radio format, switching to Christmas music for much of November and December. It is owned by iHeartMedia, with the broadcast license held by iHM Licenses, LLC. The studios are co-located with former sister television station WKRG-TV on Broadcast Drive in Mobile. WMXC carries several syndicated shows from co-owned Premiere Networks: Murphy, Sam & Jodi in morning drive time, Delilah in the evening and Ellen K on Saturday mornings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WHRP</span> Radio station in Gurley, Alabama

WHRP is a radio station licensed to serve Gurley, Alabama, United States. The station is owned by Cumulus Media and the license is held by Cumulus Licensing LLC. WHRP broadcasts an urban adult contemporary music format to the Huntsville, Alabama, market. Its transmitter is located southeast of downtown Huntsville, but its main studios are in Athens, Alabama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WRTT-FM</span> Radio station in Huntsville, Alabama

WRTT-FM is an American commercial radio station licensed to serve the community of Huntsville, Alabama. The station, established in 1960, is currently owned by the Black Crow Media Group and the license is held by BCA Radio LLC. Black Crow Media Group owns two other Huntsville stations, WAHR and WLOR. Its studios are located off University Drive in Huntsville, and its transmitter is located north of the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WAVH</span> Radio station in Daphne, Alabama

WAVH is a commercial FM radio station licensed to Daphne, Alabama, and serving the Mobile metropolitan area. The station airs a talk radio format and is owned by Bigler Broadcasting, LLC. The studios and offices are located at 900 Western America Circle Suite #106 Interstate 65/Airport Boulevard interchange in Mobile.

WKSJ-FM is a radio station licensed to serve Mobile, Alabama, United States. The station is owned by San Antonio–based iHeartMedia and the broadcast license is held by iHM Licenses, LLC. Its studios are located inside the building of unrelated television station WKRG-TV on Broadcast Drive in Mobile, and the transmitter is near Robertsdale, Alabama.

WDBT is an FM radio station licensed to serve Fort Novosel, Alabama, United States, part of the Dothan market. In addition, the station's digital FM signal transmits an adjacent channel, 103.9 HD2, which is also broadcast in analog on a translator signal on 107.7 FM as "Music 107.7". WDBT-FM began broadcasting in 1974, and is currently owned by Clay Holladay and the broadcast license held by Gulf South Communications, Inc.

WHOS is a radio station licensed to serve Decatur, Alabama, United States. The station is owned by San Antonio-based iHeartMedia and the broadcast license is held by iHM Licenses, LLC. WHOS is one of five stations in the Huntsville, Alabama, market owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. The station is also simulcast on WBHP at 1230 AM in Huntsville, a 106.5 FM broadcast translator in Huntsville, and on WQRV-HD2. Its studios are located in Madison, Alabama and its transmitter is located in West Decatur, Alabama.

WLOR is a radio station licensed to Huntsville, Alabama, United States, that serves the greater Tennessee Valley area. WLOR is part of the Black Crow Media Group and the broadcast license is held by BCA Radio, LLC, Debtor-in-Possession. Its studios are located off University Drive in Huntsville, and its transmitter is located north of the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WZZN</span> Radio station in Union Grove, Alabama

WZZN is a commercial FM radio station licensed to Union Grove, Alabama, and serving the Huntsville media market. The station is owned by Neighbors Broadcast Company, LLC, and airs a sports radio format, affiliated with the ESPN Radio Network.

WKXX is a radio station licensed to the community of Attalla, Alabama, United States. The station is owned by Broadcast Media LLC. WKXX broadcasts a classic country music format to the greater Gadsden, Alabama area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WDLT-FM</span> Radio station in Saraland, Alabama

WDLT-FM is an American radio station licensed to the community of Saraland, Alabama. The station, founded in 1966, broadcasts to the greater Mobile metropolitan area. The station is owned and operated by Cumulus Media. The WDLT broadcast license is held by Cumulus Licensing LLC.

WLAY-FM is a radio station licensed to serve Littleville, Alabama, United States. The station is owned by Mike Self and Parker Griffith, through licensee Singing River Media Group, LLC

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WESP</span> Radio station in Dothan, Alabama

WESP is a radio station broadcasting a classic hits music format. Licensed to Dothan, Alabama, United States, the station serves the Wiregrass Region. The station is currently owned by Robert Holladay and licensed to Alabama Media, LLC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WECB (FM)</span> Radio station in Headland, Alabama

WECB is an American radio station licensed to serve the community of Headland, Alabama. The station, established in 1992, is owned by Robert Holladay and the broadcast license is held by Alabama Media, LLC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WZEW</span> Radio station in Fairhope–Mobile, Alabama

WZEW is an adult album alternative-formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Fairhope, Alabama, serving Mobile, Alabama metropolitan area. WZEW and sister station WNSP broadcast from the former Smith Bakery building in Mobile, Alabama, and WZEW's transmitter is south of Theodore, Alabama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WKGA</span> Radio station in Goodwater, Alabama

WKGA is a radio station licensed to serve Goodwater, Alabama, United States. The station, established in 1991 as WSSY-FM, is currently owned and operated by Lake Broadcasting, Inc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WKZJ</span> Radio station in Eufaula, Alabama

WKZJ is a radio station licensed to serve Eufaula, Alabama, United States. The station is owned by Davis Broadcasting, Inc. Its studios are co-located with four other sister stations on Wynnton Road in Columbus, Georgia east of downtown, and its transmitter is located north of Eufaula.

WKLV-FM is a radio station licensed to serve Butler, Alabama, United States. The station is owned by Educational Media Foundation.

WHVK is a radio station repeating a satellite-delivered Contemporary Christian music format branded as K-LOVE, and is licensed to New Hope, Alabama. The station serves the Huntsville, Alabama, area. WHVK is owned and operated by Educational Media Foundation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KPSA-FM</span> Radio station in Lordsburg, New Mexico

KPSA-FM is a radio station licensed to serve Lordsburg, New Mexico, United States. The station, established in 1986, is currently owned by Cochise Media Licenses, LLC. The station is a member of the New Mexico Broadcasters Association.

References

  1. 1 2 Nelson, Bob (February 2, 2008). "Call Letter Origins". The Broadcast Archive.
  2. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for WAHR". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  3. ↑ "Fall 2007 Station Information Profile". Arbitron.
  4. ↑ Radio-Locator.com/WAHR
  5. ↑ Radio-Locator.com/W251AC
  6. ↑ Broadcasting Yearbook 1960 page A-108. Retrieved Aug. 31, 2024.
  7. ↑ Keith Clines, The Huntsville Times (January 31, 2012). "Former record store owner and radio pioneer Arnold Hornbuckle dies (updated)". al. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  8. 1 2 "Application Search Details (BALH-20011113AAJ)". FCC Media Bureau. November 19, 2001. Retrieved December 25, 2011.
  9. ↑ "Application Search Details (BALH-20011113AAN)". FCC Media Bureau. November 15, 2001. Retrieved December 25, 2011.
  10. ↑ "Application Search Details (BALH-20100114ABW)". FCC Media Bureau. January 21, 2010. Retrieved December 25, 2011.
  11. ↑ "Application Search Details (BALH-20111208DMM)". FCC Media Bureau. December 19, 2011. Retrieved December 25, 2011.
  12. ↑ "American Cancer Society recognizes Times, WAHR". The Huntsville Times . November 21, 2007.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.