WBMI
Encyclopedia
WBMI is an American radio station
, licensed to West Branch, Michigan
, the seat of government for Ogemaw County. The station broadcasts at the assigned frequency of 105.5 MHz at an output power of 6,000 watt
s.
First going on the air on November 7, 1977, WBMI of West Branch, Michigan was the FM sister station of WBMB-AM, which first signed on the air June 7, 1972 at 1060 kHz with 1,000 watts output power. As WBMB was a daytime-only AM station for its entire existence, both stations simulcast one another from WBMI's sign-on in 1977, providing local listeners with local radio service after WBMB was mandated to shut down for the night as per FCC
regulations.
WBMB and WBMI were a typical small-market radio station of their time, with few employees working shared duties, world and national news provided by Westwood One
, and a mass appeal format of adult contemporary and oldies
music.
WBMI and its sister station, for unknown reasons, were turned over to bankruptcy
receivers Jack E. Kauffman and Robert S. Marshall in 1989, with both stations going dark
by 1990.
In the summer of 1992, WBMI returned to the air as "Oldies
105.5" with the format provided via satellite by Jones Radio Network. WBMI was acquired by Daraka Broadcasting of Alpena
, which also owned adult contemporary-CHR formatted WHSB
(Bay 108). Daraka's intent was to cross-market several stations calling them the "Northern Radio Network". WBMB did not return to the air with WBMI, and under the Telecommunications Act of 1996, still having not returned to the air, its license was permanently canceled.
The Northern Radio Network effort ended in 2002, with WBMI going silent once again. The following year, WBMI was sold to Independent TV Productions. Independent TV Productions resumed WBMI's operations with Jones Radio Network's Hot AC
format. During this time, the station imaged itself with various monikers, such as "Kool Mix 105.5" and "Channel 105.5." A few years later WBMI returned to oldies
and then changed to classic country
, all also satellite-fed from Jones.
In July 2005, industry sources reported that husband and wife Kevin and Alana Beamish, of Owosso, Michigan
agreed to purchase the station for $300,000.
In August 2005, a filing was submitted to transfer the license to a minority shareholder (Peggy Warner) on the basis that she had loaned money to the company. The transfer application included an agreement written by Mrs Warner purporting to transfer the license and related assets to herself. The FCC dismissed the application. Three days later, the application to transfer control of the license to the Beamishes was submitted and approved by the FCC, but the transfer was never consummated and the license stayed in the name of Independent TV Productions.
In April 2008, the license was ultimately successfully transferred to Peggy Warner.
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...
, licensed to West Branch, Michigan
West Branch, Michigan
West Branch is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 1,926. It is the county seat of Ogemaw County. The city is located within West Branch Township, but is politically independent.-History:...
, the seat of government for Ogemaw County. The station broadcasts at the assigned frequency of 105.5 MHz at an output power of 6,000 watt
Watt
The watt is a derived unit of power in the International System of Units , named after the Scottish engineer James Watt . The unit, defined as one joule per second, measures the rate of energy conversion.-Definition:...
s.
History
Starting in 1960 "WMMW-FM" began broadcasting from West Peak in Meriden, Connecticut, covering much of the central Connecticut area. In 1962 the call letters became WBMI. It's call letters referred to its parent company name, "Business Music, Inc." It was one of the first stations to broadcast in stereo in 1962 after the FCC standardized the multiplex system. In 1977 it changed its call sign to "WKSS." Call letters "WBMI" were then reassigned to a station in Michigan.First going on the air on November 7, 1977, WBMI of West Branch, Michigan was the FM sister station of WBMB-AM, which first signed on the air June 7, 1972 at 1060 kHz with 1,000 watts output power. As WBMB was a daytime-only AM station for its entire existence, both stations simulcast one another from WBMI's sign-on in 1977, providing local listeners with local radio service after WBMB was mandated to shut down for the night as per FCC
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
regulations.
WBMB and WBMI were a typical small-market radio station of their time, with few employees working shared duties, world and national news provided by Westwood One
Westwood One
Westwood One was an American radio network and was based in New York City. At one time, it was managed by CBS Radio, the radio arm of CBS Corporation, and Viacom and was later purchased by the private equity firm The Gores Group...
, and a mass appeal format of adult contemporary and oldies
Oldies
Oldies is a term commonly used to describe a radio format that concentrates on music from a period of about 15 to 55 years before the present day....
music.
WBMI and its sister station, for unknown reasons, were turned over to bankruptcy
Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy is a legal status of an insolvent person or an organisation, that is, one that cannot repay the debts owed to creditors. In most jurisdictions bankruptcy is imposed by a court order, often initiated by the debtor....
receivers Jack E. Kauffman and Robert S. Marshall in 1989, with both stations going dark
Dark (broadcasting)
In the broadcasting industry, dark is a term used to describe a radio station or television station that has gone off-the-air for an indefinite period of time, or as defined by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission , a "silent" station...
by 1990.
In the summer of 1992, WBMI returned to the air as "Oldies
Oldies
Oldies is a term commonly used to describe a radio format that concentrates on music from a period of about 15 to 55 years before the present day....
105.5" with the format provided via satellite by Jones Radio Network. WBMI was acquired by Daraka Broadcasting of Alpena
Alpena, Michigan
Alpena is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Alpena County. It is considered to be part of Northern Michigan. The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is located in the city. The population was 10,483 at the 2010 census...
, which also owned adult contemporary-CHR formatted WHSB
WHSB
WHSB is a 100,000 watt radio station licensed to Alpena, Michigan broadcasting a hot adult contemporary format...
(Bay 108). Daraka's intent was to cross-market several stations calling them the "Northern Radio Network". WBMB did not return to the air with WBMI, and under the Telecommunications Act of 1996, still having not returned to the air, its license was permanently canceled.
The Northern Radio Network effort ended in 2002, with WBMI going silent once again. The following year, WBMI was sold to Independent TV Productions. Independent TV Productions resumed WBMI's operations with Jones Radio Network's Hot AC
Hot AC (radio network)
Hot AC is an industry leading 24-hour music network produced by Dial Global Networks. It targets a primarily female radio audience between ages 25-49 with hot adult contemporary and Adult Top 40 music of the 1990s through today, with artists such as Maroon 5, Train, Pink, Black Eyed Peas,...
format. During this time, the station imaged itself with various monikers, such as "Kool Mix 105.5" and "Channel 105.5." A few years later WBMI returned to oldies
Good Time Oldies
Good Time Oldies was a 24-hour music format produced by Jones Radio Networks. Ittargeted the "baby boomers" and consists of oldies music from the 1960s to early 1970s by The Beatles, The Kinks, The Beach Boys, Hues Corporation, The Rolling Stones and dozens more artists...
and then changed to classic country
Classic Hit Country
Classic Country is a 24-hour music format produced by Dial Global. Its playlist is composed of a diverse mix of mostly classic and some handpicked modern country music from artists such as Willie Nelson, George Jones, Dwight Yoakam, The Judds, George Strait and dozens more artists.Recently, Triton...
, all also satellite-fed from Jones.
In July 2005, industry sources reported that husband and wife Kevin and Alana Beamish, of Owosso, Michigan
Owosso, Michigan
Owosso is a city in Shiawassee County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 15,713 at the 2000 census. The city is located on the eastern side of Owosso Township, but is politically independent...
agreed to purchase the station for $300,000.
In August 2005, a filing was submitted to transfer the license to a minority shareholder (Peggy Warner) on the basis that she had loaned money to the company. The transfer application included an agreement written by Mrs Warner purporting to transfer the license and related assets to herself. The FCC dismissed the application. Three days later, the application to transfer control of the license to the Beamishes was submitted and approved by the FCC, but the transfer was never consummated and the license stayed in the name of Independent TV Productions.
In April 2008, the license was ultimately successfully transferred to Peggy Warner.