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WSBS (AM)

Coordinates: 42°12′53.32″N 73°20′41.4″W / 42.2148111°N 73.344833°W / 42.2148111; -73.344833
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
WSBS
Broadcast areaThe Berkshires
Frequency860 kHz
Branding860 AM/94.1 FM WSBS
Programming
FormatFull service adult contemporary
Affiliations
Ownership
Owner
WBEC, WBEC-FM, WNAW, WUPE, WUPE-FM
History
First air date
1949; 75 years ago (1949)
Former call signs
WNAW (1949–1956)
Call sign meaning
Southern Berkshire Station[1]
Technical information[2]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID4820
ClassD
Power
Transmitter coordinates
42°12′53.32″N 73°20′41.4″W / 42.2148111°N 73.344833°W / 42.2148111; -73.344833
Translator(s)94.1 W231AK (Great Barrington)
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen live
Websitewsbs.com

WSBS (860 kHz) is a commercial AM radio station in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. It is owned by Townsquare Media and has a full service adult contemporary radio format, mixed with local news, talk and sports. World and national news is supplied by ABC News Radio. WSBS is an affiliate of the Boston Red Sox Radio Network.

History

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The station was first licensed in 1949 as WNAW in North Adams, Massachusetts.[3] In 1956, it moved to Great Barrington as WSBS;[3] this incarnation first signed on December 24, 1956.[1] For most of its history, WSBS was a daytimer, required to go off the air at sunset. Through the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, WSBS broadcast a middle of the road format, with local news and sports prominent on its schedule. By the 1990s, the music had moved to an adult contemporary playlist.

In August 2013, Gamma Broadcasting reached a deal to sell its Berkshire County radio stations, including WSBS, to Reed Miami Holdings;[4] the sale was canceled on December 30, 2013.[5] In October 2016, Gamma agreed to sell its stations to Galaxy Communications;[6] that sale also fell through, and in 2017 the stations were acquired by Townsquare Media.[7]

Technical information

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WSBS transmits 2,700 watts daytime with a Marconi 1959 series-fed 14-wave tower. The primary transmitter is a Harris SX2.5, and a backup Gates 250GY. The nighttime transmitter is an LPB.

Translator

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Call sign Frequency City of license FID ERP (W) HAAT Class Transmitter coordinates FCC info
W231AK 94.1 FM Great Barrington, Massachusetts 87061 250 −71.8 m (−236 ft) D 42°12′53.3″N 73°20′41.4″W / 42.214806°N 73.344833°W / 42.214806; -73.344833 (W231AK) LMS

References

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  1. ^ a b "WSBS reception verification" (PDF). February 27, 1957. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
  2. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WSBS". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  3. ^ a b "WSBS history cards" (PDF). CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved June 8, 2024.
  4. ^ "Western Massachusetts Cluster Sold". All Access. August 23, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  5. ^ Venta, Lance (January 14, 2014). "Pittsfield Cluster Sale Withdrawn". RadioInsight. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
  6. ^ Venta, Lance (October 17, 2016). "Galaxy Communications Acquires Pittsfield Cluster". RadioInsight. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  7. ^ Venta, Lance (July 18, 2017). "Townsquare Media Acquires Six In Massachusetts". RadioInsight. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
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