Jump to content

WEBE

Coordinates:41°16′44.3″N73°11′6.4″W/ 41.278972°N 73.185111°W/41.278972; -73.185111
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

WEBE
Broadcast area
Frequency107.9MHz(HD Radio)
BrandingWEBE108
Programming
Language(s)English
FormatAdult contemporary
SubchannelsHD2:Talk radio(WICC)
Ownership
Owner
WEZN-FM,WFOX,WICC,WPLR,WYBC-FM
History
First air date
September 1, 1962
(62 years ago)
(1962-09-01)
Former call signs
  • WMMM-FM (1962–1970)
  • WDJF (1970–1984)
Call signmeaning
phonetically pronouncedas "Wee-Bee"
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID71389
ClassB
ERP20,500 watts
HAAT202 meters (663 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
41°16′44.3″N73°11′6.4″W/ 41.278972°N 73.185111°W/41.278972; -73.185111
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen live
Websitewww.webe108

WEBE(107.9FM) is a commercial radio station licensed toWestport, Connecticut,carrying anadult contemporaryformat known as "WEBE108". Owned byConnoisseur Media,the station serves both theGreater New HavenandFairfield Countyareas. The WEBEstudiosare located on Wheelers Farms Road inMilford,and itstransmitteris located on the Hi-Ho Tower on Video Lane inShelton.

History

[edit]

The frequency of 107.9 MHz was originally assigned by theFederal Communications CommissiontoWestport, Connecticut,under its Table of Allocations. On September 1, 1962, WMMM-FMsigned onthe air as the FM counterpart to WMMM (nowWSHU).[2]WMMM-AM-FM were owned by the Westport Broadcasting Company headed by Sydney J. Flamm. WMMM was adaytimerstation. When it went off the air at sunset each evening, WMMM-FM allowed its programming to continue to be heard.

The stations broadcast out of offices and studios located above adeliat 163 Main Street in Westport. Thebroadcasting antennafor 107.9 FM was located in a residential neighborhood inWilton.The power was 5,200 watts, a fraction of its current output, with an antennaheight above average terrain(HAAT) of only 79 feet (24 m), so the broadcast radius of the station was limited.

In 1970, WMMM-FM got the newcall signWDJF.[3]The FM station continued tosimulcastWMMM for a few more years, and would later switch to anautomatedadult contemporaryformat. The station's power was increased to 50,000 watts of power, and relocated to a taller tower.

In 1984, the station was acquired by a company known as "The 108 Radio Company Ltd. Partnership", and would switch the call letters to WEBE. In addition, automation was ended and live DJs handled most air shifts. In 1987, the ownership changed to a company calling itself "WEBE Associates".[4]In 2000, ownership changed again, this time to Nassau Broadcasting LLC.[5]Cumulus Mediaacquired Nassau Broadcasting in March 2002.[6]Cumulus also ownedWICC.

On April 15, 2019, Cumulus Media announced that WEBE and WICC would be swapped toConnoisseur Media,which began operating the stations under alocal marketing agreement(LMA) on May 1, 2019.[7]The swap was consummated on June 26, 2019.

HD radio

[edit]

Cumulus Broadcasting began upgrading its stations toHD Radiobroadcasting in 2005. One of the first ten stations to get changed to HD transmission was WEBE.[8]WEBE's HD2 subchannel carries thetalkformat heard on co-owned WICC.

References

[edit]
  1. ^"Facility Technical Data for WEBE".Licensing and Management System.Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^Broadcasting Yearbook 1964 page B-29
  3. ^Broadcasting Yearbook 1971 page B-37
  4. ^Broadcasting Yearbook 1990 page B-60
  5. ^Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2001 page D-82
  6. ^Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2003-2004 page D-86
  7. ^Cumulus Media Sells KLOS To Meruelo Media Swaps Bridgeport To Connoisseur For Allentown
  8. ^Harnett, Mary Beth (April 24, 2006)."Harris Corporation Announces Multi-Deal Agreement as Exclusive HD Radio(TM) Supplier to Cumulus Broadcasting".EE Times.
[edit]