WHFB (AM)
WHFB (1060 AM) is a U.S. radio station dually licensed to the Twin Cities of Benton Harbor and St. Joseph, Michigan, broadcasting an urban oldies format. 1060 AM is a United States and Mexican clear-channel frequency; KYW and XEEP are the dominant stations on this frequency. It broadcasts from its studios on Fairplain Avenue located in Fair Plain, Michigan, an unincorporated area south of Benton Harbor.[2] The station's transmitter and broadcast tower are also at this location. WHFB is also heard on 102.5 FM, through a translator in Benton Harbor.
| Broadcast area | [1] (Daytime) [2] (Critical Hours) [3] (Nighttime) |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 1060 kHz |
| Branding | Motown and More |
| Programming | |
| Format | Urban oldies |
| Affiliations | CBS Radio |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Gerard Media, LLC |
| WIMS | |
| History | |
First air date | September 22, 1947[1] |
Call sign meaning | Heart of the Fruit Belt |
| Technical information | |
| Facility ID | 72174 |
| Class | D |
| Power | 5,000 watts (Daytime) 2,500 watts (Critical Hours) 1 watt (Nighttime) |
| Translator(s) | 102.5 W273BM (Benton Harbor) |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Listen online |
| Website | whfbradio.com |
History
WHFB began broadcasting September 22, 1947.[1][3] It ran 1,000 watts, during daytime hours only, and was owned by the Palladium Publishing Company.[4] Its power was increased to 5,000 watts in 1963, while continuing to run 1,000 watts during critical hours.[4] Its power during critical hours was increased to 2,500 watts in 1976.[4]
In 1985, the station was sold to WHFB Broadcast Associates Ltd. Partnership, along with sister station 99.9 WHFB-FM, for $1.5 million.[5][6] Former sister station WHFB-FM is now separately owned and has since changed call letters to WQLQ.
WHFB aired an adult contemporary format in the 1980s.[7] By 1989, the station had adopted a country music format,[8] and by 1991, it was airing an adult standards format.[9] In 1996, the station adopted a 1970s based oldies format, with programming from Westwood One.[10] Nighttime service was added in 1997.[11][12] In 1999, it adopted an all-news format, airing the national audio feed of CNN Headline News.[13]
In 2000, the station adopted a syndicated talk radio format.[14] It was branded "All Talk - AM 1060" and later "Fox News Radio AM 1060".[15][16] Over the years, hosts heard on the station have included Laura Ingraham, Bill O'Reilly, Bob Dornan, Sean Hannity, Michael Savage, and Monica Crowley.[17][18][19] The station went off the air on June 1, 2012,[20] and the station was sold by WHFB Broadcast Associates to WIMS owner Gerard Media, LLC for $175,000.[21][22]
The station returned to the air on September 2, 2013.[23] The station aired full service format, with a wide variety of music, along with talk shows, Grand Valley State University sports, and other programming.[24][25][26][27][28] By 2020, it had adopted an urban oldies format, branded "Motown and More".[29]
References
- ^ a b 1971 Broadcasting Yearbook, Broadcasting, 1971. p. B-102. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
- ^ Contact, WHFB. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
- ^ Brewer, Dale (September 26, 2018). "Sesquicentennial Celebration: Our Story". The Herald-Palladium. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
Stanley R. Banyon, who also had started local radio station WHFB in 1947, died in 1967 at age 80.
- ^ a b c History Cards for WHFB, fcc.gov. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
- ^ "Changing Hands", Broadcasting. June 17, 1985. p. 70. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
- ^ Public Notice Comment – BAL-19850605HR, fcc.gov. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
- ^ Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1983, Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1983. p. B-119. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
- ^ Unmacht, Robert (1989). The M Street Radio Directory. RadioPhiles, Inc. p. S-159. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
- ^ Unmacht, Robert (1991). The M Street Radio Directory. p. 195. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
- ^ "Format Changes", The M Street Journal. Vol. 13, No. 22. May 29, 1996. p. 1. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
- ^ "Facilities Changes", Broadcasting & Cable. December 2, 1996. p. 80. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
- ^ Application Search Details – BL-19970114AA, fcc.gov. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
- ^ "Format Changes & Updates", The M Street Journal. Vol. 16, No. 20. May 19, 1999. p. 2. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
- ^ "Format Changes", The M Street Journal. Vol. 17, No. 13. March 29, 1999. p. 2. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
- ^ . WHFB. Archived from the original on February 5, 2005. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
- ^ . WHFB. Archived from the original on March 17, 2008. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
- ^ . WHFB. Archived from the original on March 5, 2001. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
- ^ . WHFB. Archived from the original on February 7, 2005. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
- ^ . WHFB. Archived from the original on April 9, 2008. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
- ^ Re: Request for Special Temporary Authority to Remain Silent, fcc.gov. August 6, 2012. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
- ^ Asset Purchase Agreement, fcc.gov. June 6, 2013. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
- ^ "AM duop forming along Lake Michigan", Radio & Television Business Report. June 26, 2013. March 25, 2020.
- ^ Resumption of Operations, fcc.gov. September 30, 2014. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
- ^ "Programming/Advertiser Contracts", fcc.gov. September 30, 2014. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
- ^ "Programs/Issues Quarterly Lists 4th Quarter 2013, 1st Quarter 2014", fcc.gov. September 30, 2014. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
- ^ . WHFB. Archived from the original on March 22, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
- ^ . WHFB. Archived from the original on October 1, 2018. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
- ^ . WHFB. Archived from the original on January 1, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
- ^ . WHFB. Archived from the original on March 1, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
- Michiguide.com - WHFB History
External links
- WHFB in the FCC AM station database
- WHFB on Radio-Locator
- WHFB in Nielsen Audio's AM station database
- W273BM in the FCC FM station database
- W273BM on Radio-Locator