WAEB-FM
Encyclopedia
WAEB-FM, commonly known as "B104", is a CHR
/Pop
radio station
located in Allentown, Pennsylvania
, in the Lehigh Valley
region of Pennsylvania
, in the United States and owned by Clear Channel Communications
. WAEB-FM broadcasts at 104.1 MHz FM
.
. In the late 60s, WAEB FM separated from WAEB and went through several formats before eventually becoming a country music station known as WXKW.
In April 1985, the station reverted to the WAEB call letters and switched to a Soft Adult Contemporary format, playing a small amount of adult standards artists initially as well as a few new songs. The station was known as "Light FM 104 WAEB-FM" and it was a "niche" format meant to compete with 100.7 WFMZ (which was easy listening at the time) and 96.1 WLEV (which was an automated/live assist "Hot AC.")
By the early part of 1986, WAEB FM had evolved to more of a mainstream adult contemporary format. By the late part of 1986, the station was phasing out the "Light" name and became "104 AEB-FM", and the music mix changed to a "heavily dayparted" AC/CHR mix without the hype.
On January 26, 1987, the day known as when "the records went away", the station switched to a Contemporary Hit Radio
format and became "The World's First Laser Hit Station"-"Laser 104.1 FM", aptly named because 90% percent of the music (when available) was played on CD. One remnant of the station's "Laser Days" is at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
, where back in 1987, their "Colossus" steel roller coaster was renamed "The Laser."
B104 can also be heard as far east as Clinton, NJ and as far west as Wyomissing, PA.
In 1991, 104.1 gradually downplayed the "Laser" moniker and identified themselves as "104.1 WAEB-FM." In September of that year, after "Hot 99.9 WHXT" in Easton switched to "Oldies 99.9 WODE", WAEB-FM's transition to "B" day was complete as the station became known as "B-104." The station's transmitter is located in Whitehall, Pennsylvania.
Contemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts...
/Pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
radio station
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
located in Allentown, Pennsylvania
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Allentown is a city located in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is Pennsylvania's third most populous city, after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and the 215th largest city in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 118,032 and is currently...
, in the Lehigh Valley
Lehigh Valley
The Lehigh Valley, known officially by the United States Census Bureau as the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ metropolitan area and referred to locally as The Valley and A-B-E, is a metropolitan region consisting of Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, and Carbon counties in eastern Pennsylvania and...
region of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, in the United States and owned by Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. is an American media conglomerate company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. It was founded in 1972 by Lowry Mays and Red McCombs, and was taken private by Bain Capital LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners LP in a leveraged buyout in 2008...
. WAEB-FM broadcasts at 104.1 MHz FM
FM broadcast band
The FM broadcast band, used for FM broadcast radio by radio stations, differs between different parts of the world. In Europe and Africa , it spans from 87.5 to 108.0 megahertz , while in America it goes only from 88.0 to 108.0 MHz. The FM broadcast band in Japan uses 76.0 to 90 MHz...
.
History
WAEB-FM signed on in 1961, initially simulcasting the Top 40 format airing on 790 WAEBWAEB (AM)
WAEB is a news, talk and sports radio station in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania, in the United States. WAEB broadcasts at 790 kHz AM.The station is owned by Clear Channel Communications.-History:...
. In the late 60s, WAEB FM separated from WAEB and went through several formats before eventually becoming a country music station known as WXKW.
In April 1985, the station reverted to the WAEB call letters and switched to a Soft Adult Contemporary format, playing a small amount of adult standards artists initially as well as a few new songs. The station was known as "Light FM 104 WAEB-FM" and it was a "niche" format meant to compete with 100.7 WFMZ (which was easy listening at the time) and 96.1 WLEV (which was an automated/live assist "Hot AC.")
By the early part of 1986, WAEB FM had evolved to more of a mainstream adult contemporary format. By the late part of 1986, the station was phasing out the "Light" name and became "104 AEB-FM", and the music mix changed to a "heavily dayparted" AC/CHR mix without the hype.
On January 26, 1987, the day known as when "the records went away", the station switched to a Contemporary Hit Radio
Contemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts...
format and became "The World's First Laser Hit Station"-"Laser 104.1 FM", aptly named because 90% percent of the music (when available) was played on CD. One remnant of the station's "Laser Days" is at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom
Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom is an American amusement and water park located in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The park features nine roller coasters, other adult and children's rides, and a waterpark, Wildwater Kingdom....
, where back in 1987, their "Colossus" steel roller coaster was renamed "The Laser."
B104 can also be heard as far east as Clinton, NJ and as far west as Wyomissing, PA.
In 1991, 104.1 gradually downplayed the "Laser" moniker and identified themselves as "104.1 WAEB-FM." In September of that year, after "Hot 99.9 WHXT" in Easton switched to "Oldies 99.9 WODE", WAEB-FM's transition to "B" day was complete as the station became known as "B-104." The station's transmitter is located in Whitehall, Pennsylvania.
Weekdays
- Mike & Steph in the Morning [Mike Kelly and Stephanie Wells] (5am - 9am)
- Bob Hauer - News Anchor
- Steve Mittman - Traffic
- Stephanie Wells (9am - 11am)
- On Air with Ryan Seacrest (11am - 3pm)
- Eric Chase (3pm - 7pm)
- The Party at 5 with Eric Chase (5pm - 6pm)
- Cap Cee (7pm - 12am)
- B104's Most Liked (8pm - 9pm)
Saturday
- B104 Overnights (12am-6am)
- Best of Mike & Steph in the Morning (6am - 9am)
- Steve Mittman (9am - 11am)
- Josh Guers (11am - 3pm)
- Sue Rauch (3pm - 7pm)
- Open House PartyOpen House PartyOpen House Party is an American radio show hosted on Saturday nights by John Garabedian that promotes itself as "the biggest party on the planet". It focuses on playing contemporary hit radio music, also known as Top 40. The show differentiates itself from most Top 40 stations because it plays a...
(7pm - Midnight)
Sunday
- Lars Holland (12am - 6am)
- FOX All Access (6am - 8am)
- Outlook with Dan Holzman (8:30am - 9am)
- Steve Mittman(9am - Noon)
- Sue Rauch (12pm - 6pm)
- American Top 40American Top 40American Top 40 is an internationally syndicated, independent radio program created by Casey Kasem, Don Bustany, Tom Rounds and Ron Jacobs. Originally a production of Watermark Inc...
(6pm - 10pm) - Dawson McAllister LiveDawson McAllister LiveDawson McAllister Live is a talk radio show hosted by Dawson McAllister where teenagers and young adults talk about problems in life including divorce, depression, cutting, suicide, drug addictions, eating disorders, homosexuality, and family issues...
(10pm - 1am)