WRBT
| File:Wrbt.jpg | |
| City of license | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania |
| Branding | Bob 94.9 |
| Slogan | "Harrisburg's Country" |
| Frequency | 94.9 (MHz) (also on HD Radio) 94.9 HD-2 for "Amy" (adult album alternative) |
| First air date | September 30, 1962 |
| Format | Country |
| ERP | 25,000 Watts Horizontal, 24,500 watts Vertical |
| HAAT | 201 meters |
| Class | B |
| Facility ID | 54019 |
| Transmitter coordinates | Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
| Callsign meaning | W R o B er T (proper name for Bob) |
| Former callsigns | WMSP (1962-1988) WHKS (1988) WWKL (1988-1995) WYMJ (1995-1997) |
| Owner | iHeartMedia, Inc. (Clear Channel Broadcasting Licenses, Inc.) |
| Sister stations | WRVV, WHKF, WHP, WTKT, WKBO |
| Website | bob949.com |
WRBT (94.9 MHz Bob 94.9) is a country music radio station broadcasting in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The station is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. and broadcasts with a power of 25 kilowatts from a transmitter site in Enola, Pennsylvania.
History
The station signed on the air on September 30, 1962, then owned by the Market Square Presbyterian Church, hence the original call letters WMSP. It was run as a volunteer radio station, parishioners volunteered to do air shifts, broadcasting a Classical Music format. The station was sold in 1988 to Barnstable Broadcasting, who changed the format to a bland Adult Contemporary first, then an Oldies format, KOOL 94.9. In 1995, Barnstable switched formats and call letters with its 99.3 signal, turning the 94.9 signal into WYMJ Magic 94.9. The generic mix format never did well and Barnstable put all of its Harrisburg market stations for sale in late 1996.
In 1997, the sale was consummated with Dame Media the call letters were changed to WRBT and Dame launched the country format that is heard on the radio today.
Brad Chambers (from KPLX in Dallas) was hired as the program director. Bob 94.9 was well received in the community. Through hard work and many promotions, remote broadcasts and other local involvement, it took over the "top country spot" from (Cat Country 106.7). The original staff with the station was as follows:
- Mornings: Todd Jeffers, Nancy Ryan, Allen Willis (Nancy & Buzz 1999-2001)
- Mid-days: Shelly Easton (at Cat Country 96 in Allentown, Pa)
- Afternoons: Brad Chambers, PD (now working in Los Angeles)
- Evenings: Wes & Ang (Wes is John Beaston on the morning show on Wink 104, and Ang is currently the morning show co-host at the Beach 96.5 in Corpus Christi, TX)
- Overnights: "After Midnite" With Blair Garner (show still on the station)
On-air personalities
- Nancy Ryan
- Newman
- Troy Lee
- Jeff Hurley
- Michael Jay
References
- 1979 Broadcasting Year book, page C-186
