 | |
| Broadcast area | Augusta metropolitan area |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 104.3MHz (HD Radio) |
| Branding | 104.3 WBBQ |
| Programming | |
| Format | Adult contemporary |
| Subchannels | HD2: "iHeartChristmas Country" |
| Affiliations | Premiere Networks |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| WKSP,WLUB,WPRW-FM,WYNF | |
| History | |
First air date | 1958 (1958) |
Call sign meaning | Barbecue |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 59249 |
| Class | C0 |
| ERP | 80,000watts |
| HAAT | 436 m (1,430 ft) |
Transmitter coordinates | 33°25′17.1″N81°50′18″W / 33.421417°N 81.83833°W /33.421417; -81.83833 |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | FM/HD1:Listen Live HD2:Country Christmas Listen Live |
| Website | wbbq.iheart.com |
WBBQ-FM (104.3MHz) is acommercialFMradio station inAugusta, Georgia. It carries anadult contemporaryradio format and is owned byiHeartMedia, Inc.[2] For much of November and December, WBBQ-FM switches toChristmas music. Theradio studios and offices are located at the Augusta Corporate Center on Perimeter Parkway, near theI-20/I-520 interchange in Augusta.[3]
WBBQ-FM has aneffective radiated power (ERP) of 80,000watts. Thetransmitter is off Pine Log Road near Williston Road (U.S. Route 278) inBeech Island, South Carolina.[4]
In 1958, WBBQ-FMsigned on as thesister station to WBBQ1340 AM (nowWYNF). The two stationssimulcast their programming through the 1960s and 70s. Both stations switched toTop 40 hits under the guidance of Edward H. Dunbar beginning in the early 1960s. WBBQ-AM-FM was the #1 station in the Augusta market for over 35 years. In addition, the station had a top-notch news department. Both WBBQ AM and WBBQ FM were owned by George Weiss under his company, Savannah Valley Broadcasting.
In August 1994, the new station manager Birnie Florie (a former news reporter and salesman) ordered that WBBQ swap formats with newly acquired sister FMWZNY. WBBQ became an adult contemporary station and WZNY switched to Top 40.
In 1997, Weiss donated WBBQ and WZNY to theMedical College of Georgia shortly before he died due to cancer. MCG, in turn, sold the stations toCumulus Broadcasting for $14 million. The money was used to establish the Weiss Endowment for Research for cancer research.[5]
Cumulus sold WBBQ in 2000 toClear Channel Communications (now known asiHeartMedia).
After spending more than 20 years as an Adult Contemporary-formatted station, WBBQ in the early 2000s began leaning more Hot AC in its musical style. Instituted under previous program director and music director Cliff Bennett, the station started dropping slower songs more commonly found on AC stations and focused more on upbeat, uptempo music with a hard lean towards 2000s and 2010s hit music. The station still avoids hip-hop and most electronic music more commonly found now on Top 40/CHR stations but has positioned itself against variety-formatted, now 80s-formattedWDRR and Top 40/CHRWHHD.
Due to layoffs imposed in 2020 by parent companyiHeartMedia, the station no longer has any local on-air talent and is now programmed using national iHeart talent throughvoicetracking andradio syndication. Monday through Saturday mornings, thePremiere Networks syndicated wake up show,Murphy, Sam & Jodi is carried. Weekday evenings, the call-in and request showDelilah, also from Premiere Networks, is heard.
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