 | |
| Broadcast area | Tri-Cities |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 96.9 FM MHz |
| Branding | 96.9 WXBQ |
| Programming | |
| Format | Country |
| Affiliations | Fox News Radio |
| 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 | |
| Facility ID | 6876 |
| Class | C |
| ERP | 75,000 watts |
| HAAT | 683 meters (2,241 ft) |
Transmitter coordinates | 38°57′22.0″N 77°4′57.0″W / 38.956111°N 77.082500°W |
| Links | |
| Webcast | WXBQ-FM Webstream |
| Website | WXBQ-FM Online |
WXBQ-FM is a Country formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Bristol, Virginia, serving the Tri-Cities. [1] WXBQ-FM is owned and operated by Bristol Broadcasting Company, Inc. [2]
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". [3] After 10 days using a temporary antenna, the station went on air with its regular 10 kW power on January 4, 1947. [4] Building on Whitetop, Virginia's second-tallest mountain, meant bringing power lines six miles to the site and constructing a tower in high winds. [4] When winter weather set in, as it did that February, staff were marooned atop the mountain. [5] WOPI-FM simulcast most of WOPI's NBC and local output and had exclusive coverage of many sporting events. [6]
In 1951, WOPI-FM moved off the mountain and to the AM transmitter tower off Old Abingdon Road in Bristol, Virginia. [7] [8] The temporary facility was replaced by a new site in 1954 on the edge of town. [7] 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. [7]
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. [7] The call letters were chosen randomly but to avoid confusion with the AM outlet; by this time, WXBQ-FM had already gone country. [9]
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. [10]
References
- ^ "Arbitron Station Information Profiles". Nielsen Audio/ Nielsen Holdings. Retrieved January 23, 2014.
- ^ "WXBQ Facility Record". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. Retrieved January 23, 2014.
- ^ "Bristol FM Station On Air From White Top Mountain". Kingsport Times. January 6, 1947. p. 3. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
- ^ a b Cady, Mike (April 27, 1947). "Here & There". Bristol Herald-Courier. pp. 1B, 3B. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
- ^ "Plane Attempts To Drop Food To Trio". Bristol Herald-Courier. February 27, 1947. pp. 1, 2. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
- ^ "FM Station Has 100-Mile Hearing Area". Bristol Herald-Courier. December 24, 1950. p. 2-A. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
- ^ a b c d FCC History Cards for WXBQ-FM
- ^ "WOPI's FM Station To Be Moved Here". Bristol Herald Courier. May 30, 1951. p. 18. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
- ^ "FM". Kingsport Times-News. March 10, 1979. p. 14. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
- ^ 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.
External links
- 96.9 WXBQ Online
- WXBQ in the FCC FM station database
- WXBQ in Nielsen Audio's FM station database
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