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| Broadcast area | Jacksonville metropolitan area |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 93.3MHz (HD Radio) |
| Branding | 93.3 The Beat |
| Programming | |
| Format | Mainstream urban |
| Subchannels |
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| Affiliations | Premiere Networks |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
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| WFXJ,WKSL,WPLA,WQIK-FM,WSOL-FM | |
| History | |
Former call signs |
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Call sign meaning | "Jacksonville's Beat" |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 51975 |
| Class | C1 |
| ERP | 98,000watts |
| HAAT | 302 meters (991 ft) |
| Translator | HD2: 104.1 W281AM (Macclenny) |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen Live HD2:Listen Live |
| Website | wjbt.iheart.com HD2:jacksonville.binnews.com |
WJBT (93.3FM "93.3 The Beat") is acommercialradio stationlicensed toCallahan, Florida, and serving theJacksonville metropolitan area. It airs amainstream urbanradio format and is owned byiHeartMedia, Inc. Thestudios and offices are on Central Parkway in theSouthside neighborhood.
WJBT has aneffective radiated power of 98,000watts, the highest permitted for non-grandfathered FM stations. Thetransmitter is off Hogan Road in theArlington neighborhood.[2] WJBT broadcasts usingHD Radio technology. The HD2digital subchannel carries iHeart'sBlack Information Network, which feedsFM translator W281AM at 104.1 inMacclenny.
WJBT has been in its current format since 1992 (when it was on 92.7), playingHip Hop andR&B music. It was home to the nationally syndicatedDoug Banks Morning Show (who was replaced withSteve Harvey after its move to 93.3, and later,The Breakfast Club). Its only other competitor is its own sister station,Urban AC-formattedWSOL-FM. WJBT was the second urban radio station to adopt "The Beat" branding afterLos Angeles'KKBT.
When it was on 92.7, it served the Jacksonville area, but it did not have enough power to serve the northernmost and westernmost portions of the metro because its frequency was licensed toGreen Cove Springs, Florida. However, it had no effect on theArbitron ratings as it is still among the Top 5 (sometimes 10) most listened to stations in the city.
On November 2, 2007, Clear Channel spun off the 92.7 frequency to a private company (which moved the signal to the Palm Coast area asWBHQ)[3] and on the evening of December 25 of that same year, moved the station and its format to the more powerful 93.3 signal (formerly the home of Country outlet WROO).[4] The reason for this was to comply with FCC ownership rules, since WJBT was in a waiver status in which Clear Channel was allowed to own six FMs and one AM in the market. But because of Clear Channel Communications being sold to a private investment group, WJBT's current frequency had to be divested. After Christmas Day 2007, 92.7 and 93.3 were simulcasting. However, on January 11, 2008, a new urban gospel station debuted on the 92.7 frequency named "Hallelujah FM", which is a moniker currently used for many Clear Channel-owned gospel stations nationwide. Also, the call letters were switched, with 92.7 becoming WROO and 93.3 becoming WJBT.[5]
With the move to a more powerful signal, WJBT also received an upgrade in power as well, going from 50 kW to 100 kW, thus covering most of Jacksonville and Northeastern Florida.
30°16′52″N81°34′12″W / 30.2811°N 81.5701°W /30.2811; -81.5701
