WXBQ-FM

Last updated
WXBQ-FM
WXBQ-FM 2014.png
Broadcast area Tri-Cities
Frequency 96.9 FM MHz
Branding96.9 WXBQ
Programming
Format Country
Affiliations
Ownership
Owner Bristol Broadcasting Company, Inc.
WAEZ, WEXX, WWTB, WFHG-FM, WLNQ, WNPC
History
First air date
December 25, 1946
Former call signs
  • WOPI-FM (1946–1972)
  • WKYE-FM (1972–1975)
  • WFHG-FM (1975–1978)
Technical information [1]
Licensing authority
 FCC
Facility ID 6876
Class C
ERP 75,000 watts
HAAT 683 meters (2,241 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
 36°25′59.3″N82°8′10.4″W / 36.433139°N 82.136222°W / 36.433139; -82.136222
Links
Public license information
Webcast Listen live
Website www.wxbq.com

WXBQ-FM is a Country formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Bristol, Virginia, serving the Tri-Cities. [2] WXBQ-FM is owned and operated by Bristol Broadcasting Company, Inc. [3]

Contents

History

WOPI-FM, sister to 1490 WOPI, signed on Christmas Day 1946 from atop Whitetop Mountain, a facility described at the time as "the largest frequency modulation station in the South". [4] After 10 days using a temporary antenna, the station went on air with its regular 10 kW power on January 4, 1947. [5] Building on Whitetop, Virginia's second-tallest mountain, meant bringing power lines six miles to the site and constructing a tower in high winds. [5] When winter weather set in, as it did that February, staff were marooned atop the mountain. [6] WOPI-FM simulcast most of WOPI's NBC and local output and had exclusive coverage of many sporting events. [7]

In 1951, WOPI-FM moved off the mountain and to the AM transmitter tower off Old Abingdon Road in Bristol, Virginia. [8] [9] The temporary facility was replaced by a new site in 1954 on the edge of town. [8] Along with WOPI AM, WOPI-FM was sold to W. A. Wilson in 1954, the Pioneer Broadcasting Company in 1959, and the Tri-Cities Broadcasting Company in 1965. [8]

The station was sold twice to different radio partners. In 1972, the Highland Development Corporation of Bristol, owners of 1550 WKYE, acquired 96.9 and renamed it WKYE-FM. The station became WFHG-FM in 1975 upon acquisition by the Bristol Broadcasting Company and adopted its present WXBQ-FM call letters in 1978. [8] The call letters were chosen randomly but to avoid confusion with the AM outlet; by this time, WXBQ-FM had already gone country. [10]

Kenny Chesney credits WXBQ and its longtime program director Bill Hagy for helping start his career; Chesney attended nearby East Tennessee State University in Johnson City. [11]

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References

  1. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for WXBQ-FM". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ↑ "Arbitron Station Information Profiles". Nielsen Audio/Nielsen Holdings . Retrieved January 23, 2014.
  3. ↑ "WXBQ Facility Record". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. Retrieved January 23, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Bristol FM Station On Air From White Top Mountain". Kingsport Times. January 6, 1947. p. 3. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  5. 1 2 Cady, Mike (April 27, 1947). "Here & There". Bristol Herald-Courier. pp. 1B, 3B . Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  6. ↑ "Plane Attempts To Drop Food To Trio". Bristol Herald-Courier. February 27, 1947. pp. 1, 2 . Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  7. ↑ "FM Station Has 100-Mile Hearing Area". Bristol Herald-Courier. December 24, 1950. p. 2-A. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  8. 1 2 3 4 FCC History Cards for WXBQ-FM
  9. ↑ "WOPI's FM Station To Be Moved Here". Bristol Herald Courier. May 30, 1951. p. 18. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  10. ↑ "FM". Kingsport Times-News. March 10, 1979. p. 14. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
  11. ↑ Tennis, Joe (April 23, 2015). "Midas Touch: WXBQ's Bill Hagy takes a look back at a 50-year-career". Bristol Herald Courier. Retrieved October 16, 2019.


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