 | |
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|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Columbia metropolitan area |
| Frequency | 106.7MHz |
| Branding | B106.7 |
| Programming | |
| Format | Adult contemporary |
| Affiliations | Compass Media Networks |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| WISW,WLXC,WNKT,WOMG | |
| History | |
First air date | July 6, 1967; 58 years ago (1967-07-06) |
Former call signs |
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Call sign meaning | "The Carolinas' Best" |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 54791 |
| Class | C1 |
| ERP | 100,000 watts |
| HAAT | 240 meters (787 ft) |
Transmitter coordinates | 33°46′52.6″N80°55′13.3″W / 33.781278°N 80.920361°W /33.781278; -80.920361 (WTCB) |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen live |
| Website | www |
WTCB (106.7FM) is acommercial radio stationlicensed toOrangeburg, South Carolina, and serving theColumbia metropolitan area. The station, known as "B106.7", is owned byCumulus Media and airs anadult contemporary radio format. The station's studios and offices are located on Gervais Street in Downtown Columbia.
WTCB has aneffective radiated power of 100,000 watts, the highest permitted for non-grandfathered FM stations. Itstransmitter is off Indian Trail inSwansea, near theCongaree National Park. WTCB is short-spaced with WEND in Salisbury, NC, basically almost the same situation as WNOK & WKQC. The two stations are spaced apart quite far, but still have interference near the NC/SC border.
On July 6, 1967, the stationsigned on as WDIX-FM, thesister station toWDIX (AM 1150) in Orangeburg (formerly WRNO, now off the air).[2][3][4] The station was known as "W-107" and was owned by Frank Best. At the time, the station featured anautomated format with music that would be considered today asHot Adult Contemporary.
In late 1976, both stations were sold to Radio Smiles, a group owned by Norman Suttles. WDIX changed to Top 40, while WDIX-FM became religious WPJS. Thecall sign stood for "We Proclaim Jesus Saves". In 1978, the transmitting power was increased from 37,000 to 100,000 watts, using a new CCA transmitter and 10-bay Shivelyantenna tower.
In 1982, WDIX and WPJS were sold to the Keymarket Group. WPJS becamecountry music WIGL, calling itself "Wiggle 106". It used a format from TM's (nowJones TM) "3-In-A-Row" Modern Country music service, operating it live-assisted. WIGL made an effort to serve the larger, more lucrative Columbiaradio market, but was plagued with periodical audio problems as well as fierce competition from established country stationWCOS-FM. In 1984, Suburban Radio Group ofConcord, North Carolina, bought WDIX, and in 1985, the company boughtWORG.[5]
In early 1985, WIGL took the first steps toward improving its coverage of Columbia by building a new 714-foot (218 m) tower inSandy Run and moving the studios to the Granby Building inCayce. It was rumored that WIGL would remain country and challenge Columbia's longtime country powerhouse, WCOS-FM. That rumor proved false.
On April 15, 1985, the station signed on from its new tower as an adult contemporary/CHR/oldies hybrid with the new call letters WTCB and a new moniker, "B106". WTCB quickly improved its ratings, with a more contemporary format and a signal that covered two-thirds of South Carolina. WTCB provides at least secondary coverage from the southern suburbs ofCharlotte to the northern suburbs ofCharleston.
By the late 1980s, due to changing market conditions, "B106" softened its music by dropping the more upbeat titles and focused on being asoft adult contemporary outlet. At that time, the market had two other AC outlets, WSCQ and new upstart WAAS (nowWARQ), fighting for Columbia's AC audience. By the end of 1992, both stations flipped to different formats, leaving WTCB as the only AC remaining in the market. Bloomington Broadcasting purchased the station in 1989 from Keymarket Communications for $4.34 million.[6] Bill McElveen was the general manager until Cumulus Media purchased the station in late 2011.
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Beginning in 1993, "B106" gradually reverted toward a more upbeat gold-based AC format. With the increasing use of digital tuners on radios, the station updated its on-air moniker as "B106.7".
From September 2002 until November 2007, WTCB was theflagship radio station forUniversity of South CarolinaGamecocks football, taking over from longtime outletWVOC. WTCB devoted a significant number of hours to pre-game and post-game coverage on Saturdays when the team played its games. WhenCitadel Broadcasting moved co-ownedWNKT FM 107.5 from the Charleston radio market to Columbia, it switched that station to anall sports format. Citadel merged withCumulus Media on September 16, 2011.[7]
On July 15, 2013, WTCB shifted its format to hot adult contemporary.[8] With the change by sister stationWOMG 98.5 fromclassic hits tocountry music in 2014, WTCB added some 1980s music to itsplaylist. In 2015, WTCB moved to new studio in downtown Columbia, across from the State Capital in The Tower building currently anchored by the Bank of America.
WTCB shifted to a mainstream adult contemporary format playing current and past AC artists being inclusive of a younger demo. WTCB began the practice of playing allChristmas music fromThanksgiving week until Christmas Day during that time.