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{{Cleanup bare URLs|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox radio station
{{Infobox radio station
| name = WBCN
| name = WBCN
Line 9: Line 8:
| frequency = 770 [[kilohertz|kHz]]
| frequency = 770 [[kilohertz|kHz]]
| translator = [[#Translators|See § Translators]]
| translator = [[#Translators|See § Translators]]
| repeater = {{Radio Relay|103.9|[[WXKB|WXKB-HD3]]|[[Cape Coral, Florida|Cape Coral]]}}
| repeater = {{Radio Relay|96.1|[[WRXK-FM|WRXK-FM HD2]]|[[Bonita Springs, Florida|Bonita Springs]]}}
| airdate = {{start date and age|1983|12|17}}
| airdate = {{start date and age|1983|12|17}}
| format = [[Sports radio|Sports]]
| format = [[Sports radio|Sports]]
| language =
| language =
| power = 10,000 [[watt]]s day<br />630 watts night
| power = {{ubl|10,000 [[watt]]s day|630 watts night}}
| class = B
| class = B
| facility_id = 4437
| facility_id = 4437
| licensing_authority = [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]]
| coordinates = {{Coord|26.775|N|81.8475|W|region:US-FL_type:landmark}}
| coordinates = {{Coord|26.775|N|81.8475|W|region:US-FL_type:landmark}}
| callsign_meaning = "Boston Concert Network". Call sign is parked from its heritage use at [[WWBX|104.1 FM in Boston]]
| callsign_meaning = "Boston Concert Network". Call sign is parked from its heritage use at [[WWBX|104.1 FM in Boston]]
| former_callsigns = WKZY (1983–1984)<br >WZRZ (1984–1990)<br />WVTI (1990–1991)<br />WRXK (1991)<br />WWCN (1991–2013)<br />WJBX (2013–2021)
| former_callsigns = {{ubl|WKZY (1983–1984)|WZRZ (1984–1990)|WVTI (1990–1991)|WRXK (1991)|WWCN (1991–2013)|WJBX (2013–2021)}}
| owner = [[Beasley Broadcast Group]], Inc.
| owner = [[Beasley Broadcast Group]], Inc.
| licensee = Beasley Media Group Licenses, LLC
| licensee = Beasley Media Group Licenses, LLC
| affiliations = [[ESPN Radio]]<br>[[Florida Everblades]]<br>[[List of Tampa Bay Buccaneers broadcasters|Tampa Bay Buccaneers Radio Network]]<br>[[Tampa Bay Rays Radio Network]]<br>[[Westwood One]]
| affiliations = [[ESPN Radio]]
| sister_stations = [[WJPT]], [[WRXK-FM]], [[WWCN]], [[WXKB]]
| sister_stations = [[WJPT]], [[WRXK-FM]], [[WWCN]], [[WXKB]]
| webcast = {{listen live|https://espnswfl.com}}
| webcast = {{listen live|https://espnswfl.com}}
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'''WBCN''' (770 [[Hertz|kHz]]), branded as "ESPN Southwest Florida", is a [[commercial radio|commercial]] [[AM radio|AM]] [[radio station]] broadcasting a [[sports radio]] [[radio format|format]]. [[City of license|Licensed]] to [[North Fort Myers, Florida]], the station is owned by [[Beasley Broadcast Group]], Inc., through licensee Beasley Media Group, LLC.
'''WBCN''' (770 [[Hertz|kHz]]), branded as "ESPN Southwest Florida", is a [[commercial radio|commercial]] [[AM radio|AM]] [[radio station]] broadcasting a [[sports radio]] [[radio format|format]]. [[City of license|Licensed]] to [[North Fort Myers, Florida]], the station is owned by [[Beasley Broadcast Group]], Inc., through licensee Beasley Media Group, LLC.


Using a [[directional antenna]], WBCN broadcasts with 10,000 [[watt]]s by day. But because [[770 AM]] is a [[Clear-channel station|clear channel frequency]] reserved for [[List of North American broadcast station classes|Class A]] [[WABC (AM)|WABC]] in [[New York City]], WBCN must reduce power at night to 630 watts to avoid interference. The [[transmitter]] is off Huffmaster Road in North Fort Myers and the studios and offices are on South Tamiami Trail in [[Estero, Florida]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/finder?sr=Y&s=C&call=Wjbx&nav=&x=0&y=0|title = WJBX-AM 1660 KHZ - Charlotte, NC}}</ref> In addition to its AM signal, WBCN uses two [[FM broadcasting|FM]] [[Broadcast relay station|translators]] to air its programming: 104.3 '''W282BY''' and 98.1 '''W251AL''', both in Fort Myers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.insideradio.com/free/beasley-adds-new-talker-to-southwest-fl-at-wjbx/article_90731c82-345f-11e6-949a-fb6c5f06e1b2.html|title=Beasley Adds New Talker to Southwest FL at WJBX}}</ref>
Using a [[directional antenna]], WBCN broadcasts with 10,000 [[watt]]s by day. Because [[770 AM|770 kHz]] is a [[Clear-channel station|clear channel frequency]] reserved for [[List of North American broadcast station classes|Class A]] [[WABC (AM)|WABC]] in [[New York City]], WBCN must reduce power at night to 630 watts to avoid interference. The [[transmitter]] is off Huffmaster Road in North Fort Myers and the studios and offices are on South Tamiami Trail in [[Estero, Florida]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/finder?call=wbcn&band=&country=&scope=&count=20&sort=Call&sr=1&s=C&sid=|title = WBCN-AM 770 KHZ - North Fort Myers, FL}}</ref> In addition to its AM signal, WBCN uses two [[FM broadcasting|FM]] [[Broadcast relay station|translators]] to air its programming: 104.3 W282BY and 98.1 W251AL, both in Fort Myers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.insideradio.com/free/beasley-adds-new-talker-to-southwest-fl-at-wjbx/article_90731c82-345f-11e6-949a-fb6c5f06e1b2.html|title=Beasley Adds New Talker to Southwest FL at WJBX|date=17 June 2016 }}</ref>


==Programming==
==Programming==
WBCN carries [[Tampa Bay Rays]] [[baseball]], [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] [[American football|football]], [[Florida Gators]] football and basketball and [[Westwood One (current)|Westwood One]] coverage of the [[National Football League]], along with [[Florida Gulf Coast University]] basketball. The station has carried [[Florida Firecats]] football, [[Miami Hurricanes]] football, [[Florida State Seminoles]] football, [[Miami Marlins]] baseball and [[Fort Myers Miracle]] baseball in the past. The station carried [[Florida Everblades]] [[ECHL]] hockey from their inception to 2009.<ref>http://www.floridaeverblades.com/news/press/index.html?article_id=521</ref>
WBCN carries [[Tampa Bay Rays]] [[baseball]], [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] [[American football|football]], [[Florida Gators]] football and basketball and [[Westwood One (current)|Westwood One]] coverage of the [[National Football League]], along with [[Florida Gulf Coast University]] basketball. The station has carried [[Florida Firecats]] football, [[Miami Hurricanes]] football, [[Florida State Seminoles]] football, [[Miami Marlins]] baseball and [[Fort Myers Miracle]] baseball in the past. The station carried [[Florida Everblades]] [[ECHL]] hockey from their inception to 2009.<ref>{{Cite web |title=News & Press |url=http://www.floridaeverblades.com/news/press/index.html?article_id=521 |access-date=February 1, 2024 |website=floridaeverblades.com}}</ref>


WBCN used to broadcast [[National Basketball Association|NBA]], [[Major League Baseball]], and [[college football]] games from [[ESPN Radio]]. [[NASCAR]] races from [[Motor Racing Network]] and [[Performance Racing Network]] moved to the then-WWCN from [[WCKT]] in 2006. [[Miami Dolphins]] games not aired on [[WRXK-FM]], mostly in the preseason, are heard on WBCN, which carried the team full-time before picking up [[NASCAR]].
WBCN used to broadcast [[National Basketball Association|NBA]], [[Major League Baseball]], and [[college football]] games from [[ESPN Radio]]. [[NASCAR]] races from [[Motor Racing Network]] and [[Performance Racing Network]] moved to the then-WWCN from [[WCKT]] in 2006. [[Miami Dolphins]] games not aired on [[WRXK-FM]], mostly in the preseason, are heard on WBCN, which carried the team full-time before picking up [[NASCAR]].


==History==
==History==
WJBX first [[Sign-on|signed on]] the air on December 17, 1983, as [[big band]] station '''WKZY'''.<ref>[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1984/B-Radio-AL-MT-BC-YB-1984.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1984 page B-57]</ref> In 1987, the station was acquired by Beasley Broadcasting, switching the format to [[oldies]] as '''WZRZ'''.<ref>[http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1990/B-Radio-AL-MT-BC-YB-1990.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1990 page B-71]</ref> The station also spent time as a [[soft adult contemporary]] outlet and also played [[active rock]] for a time.
WBCN first [[Sign-on|signed on]] the air on December 17, 1983, as [[big band]] station WKZY.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Broadcasting Yearbook 1984 |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1984/B-Radio-AL-MT-BC-YB-1984.pdf |website=americanradiohistory.com}}</ref> In 1987, the station was acquired by Beasley Broadcasting, switching the format to [[oldies]] as WZRZ.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Broadcasting Yearbook 1990 |url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1990/B-Radio-AL-MT-BC-YB-1990.pdf |website=americanradiohistory.com}}</ref> The station also spent time as a [[soft adult contemporary]] outlet and also played [[active rock]] for a time.


For much of the 1990s and early 2000s, it used the [[Call sign|call letters]] '''WWCN''', originally as a radio [[Network affiliate|affiliate]] of [[CNN Headline News]] and later as a talk station. On June 20, 2013 WWCN began [[simulcast]]ing the [[rock music]] programming on WJBX 99.3 FM, swapping call letters. (AM 770 became WJBX and FM 99.3 became WWCN.)
For much of the 1990s and early 2000s, it used the [[Call sign|call letters]] WWCN, originally as a radio [[Network affiliate|affiliate]] of [[CNN Headline News]] and later as a talk station. On June 20, 2013, WWCN began [[simulcast]]ing the [[rock music]] programming on WJBX 99.3 FM, swapping call letters. (AM 770 became WJBX and FM 99.3 became WWCN.)


On June 28, 2013, WJBX dropped its simulcast with WWCN 99.3 FM and switched to [[Spanish-language]] [[sports radio]], with programming from the [[ESPN Deportes Radio]] Network.
On June 28, 2013, WJBX dropped its simulcast with WWCN 99.3 FM and switched to [[Spanish-language]] [[sports radio]], with programming from the [[ESPN Deportes Radio]] Network.


On June 16, 2016, WJBX changed its format back to talk.<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/106857/beasley-launches-fort-myers-newstalker/ Beasley Launches Fort Myers Newstalker] Radioinsight - June 16, 2016</ref> The station primarily carried [[Radio syndication|nationally syndicated]] talk shows, including [[Dave Ramsey]], [[Brian Kilmeade]], [[Hugh Hewitt]], [[Todd Schnitt]] and [[This Morning, America's First News with Gordon Deal]]. Weekend hosts included [[Larry Elder]], [[Sebastian Gorka]], [[Eric Metaxas]], ''[[The Jesus Christ Show]] with Neil Saavedra'', and repeats of weekday programs.<ref>[https://wjbxnewstalk.com/weekend-lineup/ WJBXnewstalk.com/weekend-lineup]</ref> WJBX carried [[Townhall|Townhall News]] at the start of each hour.
On June 16, 2016, WJBX changed its format back to talk.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Beasley Launches Fort Myers Newstalker |url=https://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/106857/beasley-launches-fort-myers-newstalker/ |website=radioinsight.com}}</ref> The station primarily carried [[Radio syndication|nationally syndicated]] talk shows, including [[Dave Ramsey]], [[Brian Kilmeade]], [[Hugh Hewitt]], [[Todd Schnitt]] and [[This Morning, America's First News with Gordon Deal]]. Weekend hosts included [[Larry Elder]], [[Sebastian Gorka]], [[Eric Metaxas]], ''[[The Jesus Christ Show]] with Neil Saavedra'', and repeats of weekday programs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Resources and Information |url=http://ww16.wjbxnewstalk.com/weekend-lineup/?sub1=20240202-0823-5952-8b1f-7d4d27f5448e |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=ww16.wjbxnewstalk.com}}</ref> WJBX carried [[Townhall|Townhall News]] at the start of each hour.


The call sign was changed from WJBX to '''WBCN''' on February 5, 2021, with the WJBX call sign being moved to the [[WBCN (North Carolina)|1660 AM facility in Charlotte, North Carolina]], which had been WBCN. The Charlotte station went silent on December 31, 2020, as the result of the sale of its transmitter site land.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/204027/wbcn-goes-dark-as-beasley-sells-tower-property/|work=RadioInsight|accessdate=March 12, 2021|title=WBCN Goes Dark As Beasley Sells Tower Property|first=Lance|last=Venta|date=January 14, 2021}}</ref>
The call sign was changed from WJBX to WBCN on February 5, 2021, with the WJBX call sign being moved to the [[WBCN (North Carolina)|1660 AM facility in Charlotte, North Carolina]], which had been WBCN. The Charlotte station went silent on December 31, 2020, as the result of the sale of its transmitter site land.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/204027/wbcn-goes-dark-as-beasley-sells-tower-property/|work=RadioInsight|accessdate=March 12, 2021|title=WBCN Goes Dark As Beasley Sells Tower Property|first=Lance|last=Venta|date=January 14, 2021}}</ref>


On May 28, 2021, WBCN changed their format from news/talk to sports, branded as "ESPN Southwest Florida", with programming from [[ESPN Radio]]; the format moved from WWCN.<ref>[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/208860/playa-espn-move-to-new-locations-in-fort-myers/ Playa & ESPN Move To New Locations In Fort Myers] Radioinsight - May 28, 2021</ref>
On May 28, 2021, WBCN changed their format from news/talk to sports, branded as "ESPN Southwest Florida", with programming from [[ESPN Radio]]; the format moved from WWCN.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Playa & ESPN Move to New Locations in Fort Myers |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/208860/playa-espn-move-to-new-locations-in-fort-myers/ |website=radioinsight.com}}</ref>


==Technology==
==Technology==
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==Translators==
==Translators==
It was announced on July 2, 2012 that Beasley Broadcasting would purchase the two translators from Reach Communications for $150,000, to serve as rebroadcasters for WWCN's [[sports radio]] format (via [[WRXK-FM|WRXK]]-HD2):<ref>[http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/107744/border-media-sells-austin-pair-beasley-buys-ft-mye Border Media Sells Austin Pair, Beasley Buys Ft. Myers-Naples Translators], ''All Access Music Group'', July 2, 2012.</ref> On June 20, 2013, these translators changed their format to [[alternative rock]], relaying WRXK-HD2. Then in 2016, the translators began simulcasting WJBX's talk radio format.
It was announced on July 2, 2012 that Beasley Broadcasting would purchase the two translators from Reach Communications for $150,000, to serve as rebroadcasters for WWCN's [[sports radio]] format (via [[WRXK-FM|WRXK]]-HD2):<ref>{{Cite web |title=Music & Radio Station News {{!}} AllAccess.com |url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/107744/border-media-sells-austin-pair-beasley-buys-ft-mye |access-date=2024-02-01 |website=All Access |language=en}}</ref> On June 20, 2013, these translators changed their format to [[alternative rock]], relaying WRXK-HD2. Then in 2016, the translators began simulcasting WJBX's talk radio format.


{{RadioTranslators
{{RadioTranslators
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==External links==
==External links==
*[https://espnswfl.com WBCN website]
*[https://espnswfl.com WBCN website]
{{AM station data|WBCN}}
{{AM station data|4437|WBCN}}
*{{FMQ|W268AH}}
*{{FCC-LMS-Facility|138952|W268AH}}
*{{FMQ|W282BY}}
*{{FCC-LMS-Facility|139201|W282BY}}


{{Fort Myers Radio}}
{{Fort Myers Radio}}
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{{ESPN Florida}}
{{ESPN Florida}}
{{Beasley Broadcast Group}}
{{Beasley Broadcast Group}}
{{Miami Marlins Radio Network}}


[[Category:Radio stations in Florida|BCN (AM)]]
[[Category:Radio stations in Florida|BCN (AM)]]
[[Category:Beasley Broadcast Group radio stations]]
[[Category:Beasley Broadcast Group radio stations]]
[[Category:1983 establishments in Florida]]
[[Category:1984 establishments in Florida]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1983]]
[[Category:Radio stations established in 1984]]
[[Category:Sports radio stations in the United States]]
[[Category:Sports radio stations in the United States]]
[[Category:ESPN Radio stations]]
[[Category:ESPN Radio stations]]

Latest revision as of 05:42, 21 August 2024

WBCN
Broadcast areaFort Myers, Florida
Frequency770 kHz
BrandingESPN Southwest Florida
Programming
FormatSports
AffiliationsESPN Radio
Florida Everblades
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Radio Network
Tampa Bay Rays Radio Network
Westwood One
Ownership
Owner
WJPT, WRXK-FM, WWCN, WXKB
History
First air date
December 17, 1983; 40 years ago (1983-12-17)
Former call signs
  • WKZY (1983–1984)
  • WZRZ (1984–1990)
  • WVTI (1990–1991)
  • WRXK (1991)
  • WWCN (1991–2013)
  • WJBX (2013–2021)
Call sign meaning
"Boston Concert Network". Call sign is parked from its heritage use at 104.1 FM in Boston
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID4437
ClassB
Power
  • 10,000 watts day
  • 630 watts night
Transmitter coordinates
26°46′30″N 81°50′51″W / 26.775°N 81.8475°W / 26.775; -81.8475
Translator(s)See § Translators
Repeater(s)96.1 WRXK-FM HD2 (Bonita Springs)
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen live
Websiteespnswfl.com

WBCN (770 kHz), branded as "ESPN Southwest Florida", is a commercial AM radio station broadcasting a sports radio format. Licensed to North Fort Myers, Florida, the station is owned by Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc., through licensee Beasley Media Group, LLC.

Using a directional antenna, WBCN broadcasts with 10,000 watts by day. Because 770 kHz is a clear channel frequency reserved for Class A WABC in New York City, WBCN must reduce power at night to 630 watts to avoid interference. The transmitter is off Huffmaster Road in North Fort Myers and the studios and offices are on South Tamiami Trail in Estero, Florida.[2] In addition to its AM signal, WBCN uses two FM translators to air its programming: 104.3 W282BY and 98.1 W251AL, both in Fort Myers.[3]

Programming

[edit]

WBCN carries Tampa Bay Rays baseball, Tampa Bay Buccaneers football, Florida Gators football and basketball and Westwood One coverage of the National Football League, along with Florida Gulf Coast University basketball. The station has carried Florida Firecats football, Miami Hurricanes football, Florida State Seminoles football, Miami Marlins baseball and Fort Myers Miracle baseball in the past. The station carried Florida Everblades ECHL hockey from their inception to 2009.[4]

WBCN used to broadcast NBA, Major League Baseball, and college football games from ESPN Radio. NASCAR races from Motor Racing Network and Performance Racing Network moved to the then-WWCN from WCKT in 2006. Miami Dolphins games not aired on WRXK-FM, mostly in the preseason, are heard on WBCN, which carried the team full-time before picking up NASCAR.

History

[edit]

WBCN first signed on the air on December 17, 1983, as big band station WKZY.[5] In 1987, the station was acquired by Beasley Broadcasting, switching the format to oldies as WZRZ.[6] The station also spent time as a soft adult contemporary outlet and also played active rock for a time.

For much of the 1990s and early 2000s, it used the call letters WWCN, originally as a radio affiliate of CNN Headline News and later as a talk station. On June 20, 2013, WWCN began simulcasting the rock music programming on WJBX 99.3 FM, swapping call letters. (AM 770 became WJBX and FM 99.3 became WWCN.)

On June 28, 2013, WJBX dropped its simulcast with WWCN 99.3 FM and switched to Spanish-language sports radio, with programming from the ESPN Deportes Radio Network.

On June 16, 2016, WJBX changed its format back to talk.[7] The station primarily carried nationally syndicated talk shows, including Dave Ramsey, Brian Kilmeade, Hugh Hewitt, Todd Schnitt and This Morning, America's First News with Gordon Deal. Weekend hosts included Larry Elder, Sebastian Gorka, Eric Metaxas, The Jesus Christ Show with Neil Saavedra, and repeats of weekday programs.[8] WJBX carried Townhall News at the start of each hour.

The call sign was changed from WJBX to WBCN on February 5, 2021, with the WJBX call sign being moved to the 1660 AM facility in Charlotte, North Carolina, which had been WBCN. The Charlotte station went silent on December 31, 2020, as the result of the sale of its transmitter site land.[9]

On May 28, 2021, WBCN changed their format from news/talk to sports, branded as "ESPN Southwest Florida", with programming from ESPN Radio; the format moved from WWCN.[10]

Technology

[edit]

WBCN enjoys the largest daytime coverage area of any AM radio station in Southwest Florida. As a music station (Transtar Radio Networks' "Format 41" and Citadel Broadcasting's "Z-Rock") the station transmitted in AM stereo, using the C-QUAM system. It now incorporates HD radio technology.

Translators

[edit]

It was announced on July 2, 2012 that Beasley Broadcasting would purchase the two translators from Reach Communications for $150,000, to serve as rebroadcasters for WWCN's sports radio format (via WRXK-HD2):[11] On June 20, 2013, these translators changed their format to alternative rock, relaying WRXK-HD2. Then in 2016, the translators began simulcasting WJBX's talk radio format.

Broadcast translators for WBCN
Call sign Frequency City of license FID ERP (W) HAAT Class FCC info
W251AL 98.1 FM Fort Myers, Florida 139037 230 129.2 m (424 ft) D LMS
W282BY 104.3 FM Fort Myers, Florida 139201 250 92 m (302 ft) D LMS
[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WBCN". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ "WBCN-AM 770 KHZ - North Fort Myers, FL".
  3. ^ "Beasley Adds New Talker to Southwest FL at WJBX". 17 June 2016.
  4. ^ "News & Press". floridaeverblades.com. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
  5. ^ "Broadcasting Yearbook 1984" (PDF). americanradiohistory.com.
  6. ^ "Broadcasting Yearbook 1990" (PDF). americanradiohistory.com.
  7. ^ "Beasley Launches Fort Myers Newstalker". radioinsight.com.
  8. ^ "Resources and Information". ww16.wjbxnewstalk.com. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
  9. ^ Venta, Lance (January 14, 2021). "WBCN Goes Dark As Beasley Sells Tower Property". RadioInsight. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  10. ^ "Playa & ESPN Move to New Locations in Fort Myers". radioinsight.com.
  11. ^ "Music & Radio Station News | AllAccess.com". All Access. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
[edit]