WSBS (AM)
WSBS (860 kHz) is a commercial AM radio station in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. It is owned by Townsquare Media and has a full service adult contemporary radio format, mixed with local news, talk and sports. World and national news is supplied by ABC News Radio. WSBS is an affiliate of the Boston Red Sox Radio Network.
| Broadcast area | The Berkshires |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 860 kHz |
| Branding | 860 AM/94.1 FM WSBS |
| Programming | |
| Format | Full service adult contemporary |
| Affiliations | ABC News Radio Boston Red Sox Radio Network |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| WBEC, WBEC-FM, WNAW, WUPE, WUPE-FM | |
| History | |
First air date | December 24, 1956 |
Call sign meaning | Southern Berkshire Station[1] |
| Technical information | |
| Facility ID | 4820 |
| Class | D |
| Power | 2,700 watts day 250 watts critical hours 4 watts night (translator 250 watts) |
Transmitter coordinates | 42°12′52″N 73°20′45″W / 42.21444°N 73.34583°WCoordinates: 42°12′52″N 73°20′45″W / 42.21444°N 73.34583°W |
| Translator(s) | 94.1 W231AK (Great Barrington) |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Listen live |
| Website | wsbs |
History
On December 24, 1956, the station first signed on the air.[1] For most of its history, WSBS was a daytimer, required to go off the air at sunset. Through the 1950s, 60s, 70s and 80s, WSBS broadcast a middle of the road format, with local news and sports prominent on its schedule. By the 1990s, the music had moved to an adult contemporary playlist.
In August 2013, Gamma Broadcasting reached a deal to sell its Berkshire County radio stations, including WSBS, to Reed Miami Holdings;[2] the sale was canceled on December 30, 2013.[3] In October 2016, Gamma agreed to sell its stations to Galaxy Communications;[4] that sale also fell through, and in 2017 the stations were acquired by Townsquare Media.[5]
Technical information
WSBS transmits 2,700 watts daytime with a Marconi 1959 series-fed 1⁄4-wave tower. The primary transmitter is a Harris SX2.5, and a backup Gates 250GY. The nighttime transmitter is an LPB.
References
- ^ a b "WSBS reception verification" (PDF). February 27, 1957. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
- ^ "Western Massachusetts Cluster Sold". All Access. August 23, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
- ^ Venta, Lance (January 14, 2014). "Pittsfield Cluster Sale Withdrawn". RadioInsight. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
- ^ Venta, Lance (October 17, 2016). "Galaxy Communications Acquires Pittsfield Cluster". RadioInsight. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
- ^ Venta, Lance (July 18, 2017). "Townsquare Media Acquires Six In Massachusetts". RadioInsight. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
External links
- Official website
- WSBS in the FCC AM station database
- WSBS on Radio-Locator
- WSBS in Nielsen Audio's AM station database
- W231AK in the FCC FM station database
- W231AK on Radio-Locator
- WSBS's studios & tower at NECRAT