WFBT (FM)

WFBT (106.7 FM) "The Big Talker" , is a news/talk radio station licensed to Carolina Beach, North Carolina.

WFBT
CityCarolina Beach, North Carolina
Broadcast areaLower Cape Fear, North Carolina
Frequency106.7 MHz
SloganThe Big Talker
Programming
FormatNews/Talk
AffiliationsPremiere Networks
Westwood One
Ownership
OwnerCarolina Christian Radio Inc.
History
First air dateFebruary 26, 1993
Former call signsWLGX (1993-2003)
WJZY-FM (2003)
WUIN (2003-2011)
WMYT (2011-2017)[1]
Technical information
Facility ID34006
ClassA
ERP5,300 watts Horizontal and 4,631 Veritcal
HAAT100 meters (330 ft)
Links
WebcastListen live
Websitewilmingtonbigtalker.com

History

In 1999, WLGX began playing smooth jazz such as The Rippingtons, Dave Koz and Larry Carlton along with R&B by Anita Baker and Stevie Wonder.[2]

On August 18, 2003, WUIN joined WPPG and became "The Penguin," described as "a different kind of bird" that played "the music you've been waiting for." For the next 2 years the station introduced an eclectic mix to its listeners. Program director Mark Keefe came from WNCW. In this format, Woody Guthrie might be followed by R.L. Burnside, John Prine and Phish, for example.[3] In late August 2005, the program director and music director were relieved of their duties, leaving many to speculate about the future of The Penguin. Within a month Sea-Comm Media had replaced the veteran programmers with Beau Gunn, an untested, but music savvy 23-year-old with no radio programming experience. The move paid dividends, as WUIN enjoyed the highest ratings since its inception. In this eclectic, independently programmed format, listeners would hear deep cut classics from the past, to new cutting edge musicians. Bluegrass, jam, rock, folk, hip hop, and Americana are all fair game. The Penguin celebrated its fifth birthday with a concert at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater. Fans of the radio station enjoyed a sold-out concert by Tift Merritt and Chatham County Line.

In a move rare in the radio industry, the program Flamenco Café" relocated from NPR station WHQR to WUIN.[4] Other original programs on the station were Acoustic Café, Keller's Cellar, Parrott Hour, Saturday Night 'Jam Session', Reggae Redemption, Putumaya's World Music Hour and Great Music Uncorked.

Brian Schimmel of Sunrise Broadcasting said in late 2010 that Sea-Comm Media was buying WSFM 98.3 FM, which became the new radio home for The Penguin. The 106.7 frequency went to Carolina Christian Radio, owners of WMYT.[5]

On January 1, 2011, the callsign changed to WMYT.[1]

Late in 2012, WMYT's owners announced plans to sell 106.7 The Word and move the teaching programming to WZDG.[6]

On July 22, 2013, WMYT became a conservative talk station, My Talker Radio, under LMA by Talk Media TV LLC. Curtis Wright, owner and Executive Producer; George Bell, owner and General Manager; and, Meghan Wright, Program Director, are the principals of the new station. The lineup of shows included a variety of local and nationally syndicated talk shows, including Curtis Wright On The Beat, Glenn Beck, Laura Ingraham, Sean Hannity, America Today with Andy Dean, Coast to Coast AM, Handel on the Law, Joe Pagliarulo, Gary Sullivan, and Leo Laporte.[7] WMYT also obtained a construction permit to reduce its signal from 5,600 to 1,800 watts.[8]

On March 14, 2017, WMYT changed callsigns to WFBT. Chad Adams' Red Wolf Broadcasting took over the LMA and changed its format to "The Big Talker", a format previously heard on WNTB/WLTT. Adams, whose show is heard in Charlotte, North Carolina and Greensboro, North Carolina, will talk about North Carolina issues in the late morning slot. Joe Catennaci hosts the morning show focusing on Wilmington. Syndicated programming includes Hannity, Dave Ramsey, Mike Gallagher, Dana Loesch, and Coast To Coast AM.[9]

Awards

In 2007, readers of Encore Magazine voted WUIN number one in its market.

See also

References
  1. "Call Sign History". Retrieved 2011-01-06.
  2. Rick D'Anjolell, "Scene 'N' Heard / Southern Culture on the Skids at Bessie's; New Radio Station Jazzes Up Wilmington's Airwaves," Star-News, December 9, 1999.
  3. John Staton, "Will the Penguin Rise or Fall?" Star-News, November 27, 2003.
  4. William Paco Strickland - William Paco Strickland - Creative Wilmington, NC - Member's Profile
  5. Royal, Judy (2010-12-01). "Surf 98.3 changing to Coastal Carolina's Modern Rock 98.7". Star-News. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  6. Venta, Lance (2012-11-08). "Carolina Christian Radio Shutters 88.5 The Edge Wilmington". radioinsight.com. Retrieved 2012-12-13.
  7. Magazine, Talkers (2013-07-19). "Curtis Wright and George Bell to Launch Wilmington, NC Talk Station Monday". Talkers Magazine. Retrieved 2013-07-19.
  8. Venta, Lance (2013-07-22). "WMYT Wilmington Flips To Talk". radioinsight.com. Retrieved 2016-05-11.
  9. Venta, Lance (2017-03-17). "The Big Talker Returns To Wilmington NC". radioinsight.com. Retrieved 2017-03-20.

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