WSBS (AM)

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.

WSBS
Broadcast areaThe Berkshires
Frequency860 kHz
Branding860 AM/94.1 FM WSBS
Programming
FormatFull service adult contemporary
AffiliationsABC News Radio
Boston Red Sox Radio Network
Ownership
Owner
WBEC, WBEC-FM, WNAW, WUPE, WUPE-FM
History
First air date
December 24, 1956 (1956-12-24)
Call sign meaning
Southern Berkshire Station[1]
Technical information
Facility ID4820
ClassD
Power2,700 watts day
250 watts critical hours
4 watts night
(translator 250 watts)
Transmitter coordinates
42°12′52″N 73°20′45″W
Translator(s)94.1 W231AK (Great Barrington)
Links
WebcastListen live
Websitewsbs.com

History

On December 24, 1956 (1956-12-24), the station first signed on the air.[1] For most of its history, WSBS was a daytimer, required to go off the air at sunset. Through the 1950s, 60s, 70s and 80s, 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;[2] the sale was canceled on December 30, 2013.[3] In October 2016, Gamma agreed to sell its stations to Galaxy Communications;[4] that sale also fell through, and in 2017 the stations were acquired by Townsquare Media.[5]

Technical information

WSBS transmits 2,700 watts daytime with a Marconi 1959 series-fed 1⁄4-wave tower. The primary transmitter is a Harris SX2.5, and a backup Gates 250GY. The nighttime transmitter is an LPB.

References
  1. "WSBS reception verification" (PDF). February 27, 1957. Retrieved May 17, 2014.
  2. "Western Massachusetts Cluster Sold". All Access. August 23, 2013. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  3. Venta, Lance (January 14, 2014). "Pittsfield Cluster Sale Withdrawn". RadioInsight. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
  4. Venta, Lance (October 17, 2016). "Galaxy Communications Acquires Pittsfield Cluster". RadioInsight. Retrieved April 19, 2017.
  5. Venta, Lance (July 18, 2017). "Townsquare Media Acquires Six In Massachusetts". RadioInsight. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
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