WBBO: Difference between revisions
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|image = [[File:Hit106 Radio Station.jpg]] |
|image = [[File:Hit106 Radio Station.jpg]] |
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|city = WHTG ([[Eatontown, New Jersey|Eatontown]])<br/>WBBO ([[Bass River Township, New Jersey|Bass River Township]]) |
|city = WHTG ([[Eatontown, New Jersey|Eatontown]])<br/>WBBO ([[Bass River Township, New Jersey|Bass River Township]]) |
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|area = [[Monmouth County, New Jersey|Monmouth]] & [[Middlesex County, New Jersey|Middlesex County]] at 106.3 FM<br/>[[Ocean County, New Jersey|Ocean]] |
|area = [[Monmouth County, New Jersey|Monmouth]] & [[Middlesex County, New Jersey|Middlesex County]] at 106.3 FM<br/>[[Ocean County, New Jersey|Ocean]], [[Burlington County, New Jersey|Burlington]] & [[Atlantic County, New Jersey|Atlantic County]] at 106.5 FM |
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|branding = "Hit 106" |
|branding = "Hit 106" |
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|slogan = ''Jersey's Hit Music Connection'' |
|slogan = ''Jersey's Hit Music Connection'' |
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Revision as of 06:42, 20 January 2009
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| Broadcast area | Monmouth & Middlesex County at 106.3 FM Ocean, Burlington & Atlantic County at 106.5 FM |
| Frequency | WHTG: 106.3 MHz WBBO: 106.5 MHz |
| Branding | "Hit 106" |
| Programming | |
| Format | Top 40 (CHR) |
| Affiliations | Hits Now! |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Press Communications LLC |
| History | |
Former call signs | WBBO: WKOE (1992-2006) WSLT (1981-1992) |
Call sign meaning | Harold and Thea Gade, original station owners |
| Technical information | |
| Facility ID | WHTG:72324 WBBO:49984 |
| Class | WHTG: A WBBO: A |
| ERP | WHTG: 1,100 watts WBBO: 1,450 watts |
| HAAT | WHTG: 161 meters WBBO: 208 meters |
Transmitter coordinates | WHTG:40°16′41.00″N 74°04′51.00″W / 40.2780556°N 74.0808333°W WBBO:39°37′53.00″N 74°21′12.00″W / 39.6313889°N 74.3533333°W |
| Repeater(s) | WBBO 106.5 FM Bass River Township |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
WHTG-FM and WBBO (106.3 and 106.5 FM, "Hits 106") are two radio stations simulcasting a Top 40 format. Licensed to the suburb of Eatontown and Bass River Township, New Jersey, they serve the Monmouth County and Atlantic City, New Jersey metropolitan areas. This station is owned by Press Communications. WHTG-FM's transmitter is located at the Garden State Parkway exit 105 in Tinton Falls, New Jersey. WBBO's transmitter is located in the New Jersey Pinelands near Garden State Parkway exit 58.
On January 19, 2009, both WHTG and WBBO dropped the long-time alternative format and switched to Top 40.
History
WBBO History
WBBO was first assigned the WSLT call sign on February 3, 1981. On September 28, 1992, the call sign was then changed to WKOE. On July 6, 2006, WKOE swapped frequencies with WBBO, which has been simulcasting WHTG on 98.5 FM and was known as B98.5 prior to that. From August 2005 - January 2009 it simulcasted G 106.3 in Ocean County and South Jersey. On January 19, 2009, the format switched to Top 40 along with WHTG.
WHTG History
(Source: http://www.angelfire.com/nj2/piratejim/njfmhistory10.html)
WHTG-FM first signed on at the 105.5 MHz frequency on October 11, 1961, as the sister station of WHTG (1410 AM). The station was named for Harold and Theo Gade, its first owners and operators. Eventually, the Gades' daughter Faye became general manager of the station.
Interference with WDHA in northern New Jersey resulted in the move to its current 106.3 MHz frequency in 1965, which had been vacated in 1963 when WFHA in Red Bank, NJ discontinued operations.
Primarily a Beautiful Music station, it also broadcast Adult Standards (e.g. popular vocalists like Frank Sinatra) and big bands in the evenings alongside its sister station until 1983, then Adult Contemporary music up to the switch to Alternative rock in August, 1984.
Air personalities on WHTG at this time included Jack Scott, Don Brennan, Ray Knight, Jeff Michaels (now known as Jeff Rafter), Vince Hartnett, James Theadoracopulous (who used the air name "J.T. Copulous"), Chuck Weigel, Phil Matthews, Rich Robinson, Drew Williamson, Rich O'Reilly, Dave Mackey, Chuck Rossi, and Mike Marrone.
Glory days
In the very early FM 106-3 days, the station had somewhat of a free-form approach, with DJ's who were alternative rock fans picking what music they played, from Pixies to Prince. During the mid-1980s, The Smiths and other Manchester Sound artists were especially favored by the station's jocks. DJ Matt Pinfield, who also acted as Program Director, was noted for being extremely knowledgeable of alternative and independent artist information when introducing tracks. He later was seen spouting that knowledge as the 2nd host of MTV's "120 Minutes".
In the 80's, the station referred to itself as, Your Rock Alternative, FM 106.3. For a brief period in the early nineties, the station used a slogan of "Real Rock Radio, FM 106.3." In the nineties, it's signature copy became, FM 106.3, Modern Rock, at the Jersey Shore.
WHTG achieved its highest ratings ever in 1993 and 1994 when it received "favorite radio station" honor in Rolling Stone's annual readers' polls. The station garnered "underground" marketing support in the form of widespread application of the station's logo (at right) upon traffic signs throughout the state. The vinyl stickers were quite durable and available free at Jersey area independent music shops.
Ownership change
In November 2000, WHTG was sold to Press Communications. WHTG then became known as G106.3, and took on a format that could be described as a hybrid of alternative and modern adult contemporary. Later, WHTG had then evolved into an alternative rock station that played current and re-current alternative hits, as well as heritage artists such as The Cure and REM. Before the acquisition of WBBO, WHTG was referred to as G106.3, Your Rock Alternative, echoing - perhaps unwittingly - FM106.3's original alternative-era slogan from 1985 to 1989.
G Rock Radio also featured special programming on weekend mornings. The Saturday Morning Breakfast Club took a nostalgic look at alternative rock from the 1980s, while Common Threads (a program that dates back to the FM 106-3 era and originally featured "theme" sets of songs) showcased modern acoustic music. With the acquisition of WBBO, G106.3 became known as "G-Rock Radio", with a simulcast on 106.3 and 98.5. In July 2006, WBBO's 98.5 signal was moved to 106.5. During this time, G-Rock was trimulcasted on 98.5, 106.3, and 106.5 to assist listeners in the frequency transition. G-Rock has recently dropped their weekday noon request show called "90's at Noon" for a more 80's influenced request show known as "The Retro Request Hour". Another specialty show heard on Sunday nights called The Underground, which featured indie bands as well as b-sides and unknown tracks from current played artists, which was dropped in March 2007. On June 24, 2007, specialty programming on Sunday nights returned with "The Punkyard", which consisted of two hours of punk music. By spring 2008, other weekend programming on G Rock included the all-request "Radio Kaos" from 7pm-midnight Saturdays. There also was "Queens of Noise" on Sundays from 9pm-10pm, which featured female-fronted bands and solo rock artists.
Hits 106
On January 19. 2009, the longtime alternative/rock format heard on WHTG and WBBO was dropped in favor of Top 40, known as "Hits 106". The station is now affiliated with Dial Global's Hits Now! format.