WCBT
WCBT (1230 AM) is a sports radio station licensed to Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, serving Roanoke Rapids and Halifax in North Carolina and Emporia in Virginia.[2] WCBT is owned and operated by Shaunrita Williams and Jimmy Johnson, through licensee Shantae Broadcasting Inc.[3]
 | |
| Broadcast area | |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 1230 AM kHz |
| Branding | Sports Radio 1230 WCBT, The Ticket |
| Programming | |
| Format | Sports |
| Affiliations | SportsMap, Sports USA Radio Network, North Carolina Tar Heels |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| History | |
First air date | November 1940[1] |
| Technical information | |
| Facility ID | 71250 |
| Class | C |
| Power | 1,000 watts day and night |
Transmitter coordinates | 36°26′45.0″N 77°39′51.0″W |
| Translator(s) | 102.7 W274AZ (Roanoke Rapids) |
History
On November 13, 1948, fire destroyed the studios and offices of WCBT.[4] With only one turntable salvaged from the studio building, the station had to operate from its transmitter building.[4] Limited space there meant that live talent had to perform outdoors.[4] Ministers who conducted morning devotions drove their cars to the transmitter building and broadcast from the cars.[4]
On September 27, 2013, First Media Radio reached a deal to sell WCBT to Johnson Broadcast Ventures for $100.000.[5][6] The sale was consummated on December 19, 2013.[7] Upon the sale's completion, the station dropped ESPN Radio for a music format featuring classic rhythm and blues, gospel, and Southern soul formatted broadcasts.[8]
In 2016, WCBT returned to a sports radio format, changing their name to "SportsRadio 1230 WCBT The Ticket". WCBT airs programming from NBC Sports Radio and SB Nation Radio and features Sports USA Radio Network college football and NFL games as well as the Tar Heel Sports Radio Network football and men's basketball games.
Effective October 1, 2021, Johnson Broadcast Ventures sold WCBT and translator W274AZ to Shantae Broadcasting Inc. for $41,000.
Past personalities
- Jesse Helms, news director (late 1940s)[9]
- Wayne Harris (1951–52) nighttime deejay
- "Cousin Slick" (Roy Gray, Jr.), country DJ (1950s-1960s)[10]
- Wayne Harris (1961–62) morning drive/news director
- Russ Barrett (1970s-1990), morning drive
- Allen Garrett (1996-2004)Program Director
- Brian Lewis (1984-1990), afternoon drive
- Wayne Lewis (1978-1990)
- Greg Thompson (1986-1990), midday
- Robert Spragins (through the early-mid 80s), News and Sports Announcer
- Connie Beckleman (1981-1985), Afternoon Drive
- Sam Medlin (1986-1990), Evenings/Weekends
- Dan Tanner (1985-1989), News Announcer
- Rick O'Bryant (1988-1990)
References
- Broadcasting Yearbook 2010 (PDF). ProQuest, LLC/Reed Publishing (Nederland), B.V. 2010. p. D-409. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
- "Arbitron Station Information Profiles". Nielsen Audio/Nielsen Holdings. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
- "WCBT Facility Record". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
- Broadcasting Magazine (PDF). Broadcasting Publications. November 22, 1948. p. 60. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
- "Application for Consent to Assignment of Broadcast Station Construction Permit or License". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. September 27, 2013. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
- "Asset Purchase Agreement". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. August 22, 2013. p. 2. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
- "Consummation Notice". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. December 20, 2013. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
- Rose, Della (September 29, 2013). "WCBT 1230 AM of First Media Radio to be sold". The Daily Herald. Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina: Wick Communications. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
- "The History of Capitol Broadcasting Company - Jesse Helms". Capitol Broadcasting Company. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
- Sorenson, Peter (November 6, 2000). "Fifty years of country music with 'Cousin Slick'". The Daily Herald. Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina: Wick Communications. Retrieved February 29, 2016.