WHFB (AM)

WHFB
Broadcast area[1] (Daytime)
[2] (Critical Hours)
[3] (Nighttime)
Frequency1060 kHz
Programming
FormatUrban oldies
AffiliationsCBS Radio
Ownership
OwnerGerard Media, LLC
WIMS
History
First air date
September 22, 1947[1]
Call sign meaning
Heart of the Fruit Belt
Technical information[2]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID72174
ClassD
Power3,000 watts day
2,500 watts critical hours
0.13 watts night
Translator(s)102.5 W273BM (Benton Harbor)
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen Live
Websitewhfbradio.com

WHFB (1060 kHz) is an AM 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 XECPAE 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.[3] 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.

History

WHFB's former logo

WHFB began broadcasting September 22, 1947.[1][4] It ran 1,000 watts, during daytime hours only, and was owned by the Palladium Publishing Company.[5] Its power was increased to 5,000 watts in 1963, while continuing to run 1,000 watts during critical hours.[5] Its power during critical hours was increased to 2,500 watts in 1976.[5]

In 1985, the station was sold to WHFB Broadcast Associates Ltd. Partnership, along with sister station 99.9 WHFB-FM, for $1.5 million.[6][7] 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.[8] By 1989, the station had adopted a country music format,[9] and by 1991, it was airing an adult standards format.[10] In 1996, the station adopted a 1970s based oldies format, with programming from Westwood One.[11] Nighttime service was added in 1997.[12][13] In 1999, it adopted an all-news format, airing the national audio feed of CNN Headline News.[14]

In 2000, the station adopted a syndicated talk radio format.[15] It was branded "All Talk - AM 1060" and later "Fox News Radio AM 1060".[16][17] Over the years, hosts heard on the station have included Laura Ingraham, Bill O'Reilly, Bob Dornan, Sean Hannity, Michael Savage, and Monica Crowley.[18][19][20] The station went off the air on June 1, 2012,[21] and the station was sold by WHFB Broadcast Associates to WIMS owner Gerard Media, LLC for $175,000.[22][23]

The station returned to the air on September 2, 2013.[24] The station aired full service format, with a wide variety of music, along with talk shows, Grand Valley State University sports, and other programming.[25][26][27][28][29] By 2020, it had adopted an urban oldies format, branded "Motown and More".[30]

References

  1. ^ a b 1971 Broadcasting Yearbook, Broadcasting, 1971. p. B-102. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
  2. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WHFB". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  3. ^ Contact, WHFB. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ a b c History Cards for WHFB, fcc.gov. Retrieved March 24, 2020.
  6. ^ "Changing Hands", Broadcasting. June 17, 1985. p. 70. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  7. ^ Public Notice Comment – BAL-19850605HR, fcc.gov. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  8. ^ Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1983, Broadcasting/Cablecasting, 1983. p. B-119. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  9. ^ Unmacht, Robert (1989). The M Street Radio Directory. RadioPhiles, Inc. p. S-159. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  10. ^ Unmacht, Robert (1991). The M Street Radio Directory. p. 195. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  11. ^ "Format Changes", The M Street Journal. Vol. 13, No. 22. May 29, 1996. p. 1. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  12. ^ "Facilities Changes", Broadcasting & Cable. December 2, 1996. p. 80. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  13. ^ Application Search Details – BL-19970114AA, fcc.gov. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  14. ^ "Format Changes & Updates", The M Street Journal. Vol. 16, No. 20. May 19, 1999. p. 2. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  15. ^ "Format Changes", The M Street Journal. Vol. 17, No. 13. March 29, 1999. p. 2. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  16. ^ "All Talk! AM 1060". WHFB. Archived from the original on February 5, 2005. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  17. ^ "From Southwest Michigan's Harbors to Chicago's Lakefront!". WHFB. Archived from the original on March 17, 2008. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  18. ^ "Program Guide". WHFB. Archived from the original on March 5, 2001. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  19. ^ "Program Listings". WHFB. Archived from the original on February 7, 2005. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  20. ^ "Programming Line-up for All Talk 1060, WHFB". WHFB. Archived from the original on April 9, 2009. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  21. ^ Re: Request for Special Temporary Authority to Remain Silent, fcc.gov. August 6, 2012. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  22. ^ Asset Purchase Agreement, fcc.gov. June 6, 2013. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  23. ^ "AM duop forming along Lake Michigan", Radio & Television Business Report. June 26, 2013. March 25, 2020.
  24. ^ Resumption of Operations, fcc.gov. September 30, 2014. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  25. ^ "Programming/Advertiser Contracts", fcc.gov. September 30, 2014. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  26. ^ "Programs/Issues Quarterly Lists 4th Quarter 2013, 1st Quarter 2014", fcc.gov. September 30, 2014. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  27. ^ "Shows". WHFB. Archived from the original on March 22, 2015. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  28. ^ "Shows". WHFB. Archived from the original on October 1, 2018. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  29. ^ "Shows". WHFB. Archived from the original on January 1, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  30. ^ "Motown & More". WHFB. Archived from the original on March 1, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2020.

42°04′44″N 86°28′00″W / 42.07889°N 86.46667°W / 42.07889; -86.46667