WTCB
Encyclopedia
WTCB is an adult contemporary radio station licensed to Orangeburg, South Carolina
and serves the Columbia, South Carolina
market. The Cumulus Media
outlet is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) to broadcast at 106.7 MHz with an effective radiated power
(ERP) of 100 kW. The station goes by the name B106.7 and its current slogan is "Columbia's Hometown Radio Station."
In late 1976, both stations were sold to Radio Smiles, a group owned by Norman Suttles. WDIX-AM changed to Top 40, while WDIX-FM became religious WPJS (the call sign meaning "W"e "P"roclaim "J"esus "S"aves). In 1978, the transmitting power was increased from 37 kw to 100 kw utilizing a new new CCA transmitter and 10-bay Shively antenna.
In 1982, both WDIX & WPJS were sold to Keymarket Group. WPJS became country WIGL (Wiggle 106), utilizing TM's (now Jones TM
) "3-In-A-Row" Modern Country format, operating it live-assisted. WIGL targeted the nearby Columbia market, but was plagued with periodical audio problems as well as fierce competition from WCOS-FM
. In 1984, Suburban Radio Group of Concord, North Carolina
bought WDIX, and in 1985 the company bought WORG
.
In early 1985, WIGL made the first steps to move the station to Columbia by building a new 714 ft. tower outside of the city in the community of Sandy Run and moved the studios to Cayce. It was intentionally rumoured to remain a formatted country and give the long-time country formatted WCOS-FM a run for the money. On April 15, 1985 WTCB signed on as B106. The format was changed to an adult contemporary/CHR/oldies hybrid with the new call letters of WTCB as branded as "B106". Almost overnight, the station became a huge ratings success, with a superior market sound and a signal that covered 2/3rd's of South Carolina. It beat many stations, including longtime AC WSCQ (now WXBT
), in its first Arbitron
book. It also caused many of the long-time Columbia market stations to rethink their formats and branding in order to catch up to the momentum of WTCB.
In 1990, the WIGL call letters and country format surfaced on a new FM that was built in Orangeburg by the former WTCB GM Tom Love and former WTCB SM Charlie Boswell. That station became known as "Wiggle 102.9", sporting the same country format that 106.7 had. Today the WIGL call letters are in use on a station licensed to St. Matthews, SC, but targeting Columbia.
By the late 1980s, due to changing market conditions, B106 softened its music by dropping the more upbeat music and focused on being a light adult contemporary outlet. At that time, the market had two other AC outlets, WSCQ and new upstart WAAS (now WARQ
), fighting for Columbia's AC audience. By the end of 1992, both stations flipped to different formats, leaving B106 as the only AC left in the market.
Bloomington Broadcasting purchased the station in 1989 from Keymarket Communications and Bill McElveen became the GM and remains so to this day.
Beginning in 1993, B106 gradually went back toward a more upbeat Gold based AC format and updated its on-air moniker as B106.7. This format has remained in place ever since.
From September 2002 until November 2007, WTCB was the flagship radio station for South Carolina Gamecocks
football, a distinction which was removed when Citadel Broadcasting
moved WNKT
from St. George to Eastover and made it the flagship of all sports, not just football. Citadel merged with Cumulus Media
on September 16, 2011.
Orangeburg, South Carolina
Orangeburg, also known as "The Garden City," is the principal city in and the county seat of Orangeburg County, South Carolina, United States. The city is also the fifth oldest city in the state of South Carolina. The city population was 12,765 at the 2000 census, within a Greater Orangeburg...
and serves the Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
market. The Cumulus Media
Cumulus Media
Cumulus Media, Inc. is the second largest Owner and Operator of AM and FM radio stations in the United States, behind Clear Channel Communications, operating 570 stations in 150 markets as of September 16, 2011. The company also owns Cumulus Media Networks...
outlet is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission
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...
(FCC) to broadcast at 106.7 MHz with an effective radiated power
Effective radiated power
In radio telecommunications, effective radiated power or equivalent radiated power is a standardized theoretical measurement of radio frequency energy using the SI unit watts, and is determined by subtracting system losses and adding system gains...
(ERP) of 100 kW. The station goes by the name B106.7 and its current slogan is "Columbia's Hometown Radio Station."
History
106.7 signed on July 6, 1967 as WDIX-FM, the sister to WDIX-AM 1150 in Orangeburg (formerly WRNO, now off the air). The station was known as W-107 and was owned by Frank Best. At the time, the station featured an automated format with music that would be considered today as Hot Adult Contemporary.In late 1976, both stations were sold to Radio Smiles, a group owned by Norman Suttles. WDIX-AM changed to Top 40, while WDIX-FM became religious WPJS (the call sign meaning "W"e "P"roclaim "J"esus "S"aves). In 1978, the transmitting power was increased from 37 kw to 100 kw utilizing a new new CCA transmitter and 10-bay Shively antenna.
In 1982, both WDIX & WPJS were sold to Keymarket Group. WPJS became country WIGL (Wiggle 106), utilizing TM's (now Jones TM
Jones Radio Networks
Jones Radio Networks & Jones Media Group were branches of Jones International before being sold to Triton Media Group. JRN and JMN provide local radio stations with satellite-delivered formats. They also offer other services to local radio such as news and talk programs, syndicated radio shows,...
) "3-In-A-Row" Modern Country format, operating it live-assisted. WIGL targeted the nearby Columbia market, but was plagued with periodical audio problems as well as fierce competition from WCOS-FM
WCOS-FM
WCOS-FM is a Country music radio station licensed to Columbia, South Carolina and serves the Columbia, South Carolina market. The Clear Channel Communications outlet is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to broadcast at 97.5 MHz with an effective radiated power of 100 kW...
. In 1984, Suburban Radio Group of Concord, North Carolina
Concord, North Carolina
Concord is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. According to Census 2010, the city has a current population of 79,066. It is the largest city in Cabarrus County and is the county seat. In terms of population, the city of Concord is the second largest city in the Charlotte Metropolitan Area...
bought WDIX, and in 1985 the company bought WORG
WPJK
WPJK is a radio station broadcasting a Christian radio format. Licensed to Orangeburg, South Carolina, USA. The station is currently owned by Bose Gowdy.-History:...
.
In early 1985, WIGL made the first steps to move the station to Columbia by building a new 714 ft. tower outside of the city in the community of Sandy Run and moved the studios to Cayce. It was intentionally rumoured to remain a formatted country and give the long-time country formatted WCOS-FM a run for the money. On April 15, 1985 WTCB signed on as B106. The format was changed to an adult contemporary/CHR/oldies hybrid with the new call letters of WTCB as branded as "B106". Almost overnight, the station became a huge ratings success, with a superior market sound and a signal that covered 2/3rd's of South Carolina. It beat many stations, including longtime AC WSCQ (now WXBT
WXBT
WVOC-FM is a news/talk station licensed to West Columbia, South Carolina and serves the Columbia, South Carolina market. The Clear Channel Communications outlet is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to broadcast at 100.1 MHz with an ERP of 5.9 kW...
), in its first Arbitron
Arbitron
Arbitron is a consumer research company in the United States that collects listener data on radio audiences. It was founded as American Research Bureau by Jim Seiler in 1949 and became national by merging with L.A. based Coffin, Cooper and Clay in the early 1950s...
book. It also caused many of the long-time Columbia market stations to rethink their formats and branding in order to catch up to the momentum of WTCB.
In 1990, the WIGL call letters and country format surfaced on a new FM that was built in Orangeburg by the former WTCB GM Tom Love and former WTCB SM Charlie Boswell. That station became known as "Wiggle 102.9", sporting the same country format that 106.7 had. Today the WIGL call letters are in use on a station licensed to St. Matthews, SC, but targeting Columbia.
By the late 1980s, due to changing market conditions, B106 softened its music by dropping the more upbeat music and focused on being a light adult contemporary outlet. At that time, the market had two other AC outlets, WSCQ and new upstart WAAS (now WARQ
WARQ
WARQ is a Modern Rock radio station licensed to Columbia, South Carolina and serves the Columbia market. The Inner City Broadcasting outlet is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to broadcast at 93.5 MHz with an effective radiated power of 2.8 kW...
), fighting for Columbia's AC audience. By the end of 1992, both stations flipped to different formats, leaving B106 as the only AC left in the market.
Bloomington Broadcasting purchased the station in 1989 from Keymarket Communications and Bill McElveen became the GM and remains so to this day.
Beginning in 1993, B106 gradually went back toward a more upbeat Gold based AC format and updated its on-air moniker as B106.7. This format has remained in place ever since.
From September 2002 until November 2007, WTCB was the flagship radio station for South Carolina Gamecocks
South Carolina Gamecocks
The University of South Carolina's 19 varsity sports teams are known as the "Gamecocks". The unique moniker is held in honor of Thomas Sumter, a South Carolina war hero who was given the name "The Carolina Gamecock" during the American Revolution for his fierce fighting tactics, regardless of his...
football, a distinction which was removed when Citadel Broadcasting
Citadel Broadcasting
Citadel Broadcasting Corporation was a Las Vegas, Nevada-based broadcast holding company. Citadel owned 243 radio stations across the United States and was the third-largest radio station owner in the country...
moved WNKT
WNKT
WNKT is a Sports Talk radio station licensed to Eastover, South Carolina and serves the Columbia, South Carolina market. The Cumulus Media outlet is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to broadcast at 107.5 MHz with an effective radiated power of 40 kW...
from St. George to Eastover and made it the flagship of all sports, not just football. Citadel merged with Cumulus Media
Cumulus Media
Cumulus Media, Inc. is the second largest Owner and Operator of AM and FM radio stations in the United States, behind Clear Channel Communications, operating 570 stations in 150 markets as of September 16, 2011. The company also owns Cumulus Media Networks...
on September 16, 2011.