WERC-AM: Difference between revisions

From Bhamwiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(big gap to fill...)
No edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
[[Image:WERC-AM.gif|right]]
[[Image:WERC-AM.gif|right]]
'''WERC-AM''' [[AM 960]] is a Clear Channel-owned news/talk format radion station licensed in [[Birmingham]] and broadcasting at 5,000 watts  
'''WERC-AM''' [[AM 960]] is a Clear Channel-owned news/talk format radion station licensed in [[Birmingham]] and broadcasting at 5,000 watts.


WBRC-AM, its call letters standing for the [[Bell Radio Corporation]]), began broadcasting in May [[1925]] at 50 watts on [[AM 1210]]. It increased power several times in the 1920s and affiliated with the NBC Radio Network in [[1935]]. Under the requirements of the new North American Radio Broadcasting Agreement (NARBA), the station moved to its current frequency.
==History==
The station was founded in May [[1925]] by physician [[J. C. Bell]], transmitting for four hours a day on [[AM 950]] from a 10-watt tower in his back yard in [[Fountain Heights]]. The original '''WBRC''' call letters stood for "Bell Radio Corporation". A boost to 50-watt broadcast on [[AM 1210]] preceded the [[1928]] purchase of the station by [[M. D. Smith, Jr]]. Smith, owner of the [[Birmingham Awning and Tent Works]]] at [[27th Street North|27th Street]] and [[12th Avenue North]], paid $2,000 for the station and equipped it with a new 500-watt transmitter and a studio in the [[Athletic Club]] downtown. He expanded the broadcast day to 12 hours and hired [[Les Connor]]<!--or Les Conners--> as the station's first professional announcer.


debuted in [[Birmingham]] in [[1972]] when Mooney Broadcasting bought [[WBRC-AM]] and the inactive [[WBRC-FM]] station from [[Taft Broadcasting]]. At the time, WBRC-AM was playing a "middle of the road" music format. The new owners of the radio stations changed the call letters, re-christening the AM station as '''96-ERC''', and launching an all-out assault on the market’s leading Top 40 station, [[WSGN-AM]].
In [[1931]] the power was increased again, to 5 kilowatts, and the studios moved to a glass-enclosed "Crystal Studio" on the mezzanine of the [[Temple Theater]]. The transmitter was re-erected in the community of [[Kilocycle]] in [[North Birmingham]]. A second announcer, [[John Connerly]] was brought on board and the station was incorporated. Smith and his wife held 50% of the stock while the remainder was split between J. C. Bell and [[Glenn Marshall]]. In [[1935]] WBRC became an affiliate of the NBC Radio Network. Under the requirements of the new North American Radio Broadcasting Agreement (NARBA), the station moved to its current frequency.
 
A year later the studio moved again, to the [[Bankhead Hotel]], and then soon later to a building at [[19th Street North|19th Street]] and [[2nd Avenue North]]. Smith died in [[1937]] and his widow, [[Eloise Hanna|Eloise Haney Smith]] took control of the station. She bought out Marshall and, when Bell died in [[1940]], purchased the remaining shares to take full ownership. The station moved one block to a newly-built air-conditioned studio at [[18th Street North|18th Street]] and [[2nd Avenue North]] in [[1942]].
 
After [[World War II], Eloise, now remarried to a Dr Hanna, switched the station over to the FM dial with a 500,000-watt transmitter, making WBRC-FM the most powerful station in the world. The new format was, however, unprofitable, and was switched over to television only in [[1948]]. Hanna borrowed $150,000 to build a new studio building and transmitter for the TV station atop [[Red Mountain]].
 
The station's long-time pop music format debuted in [[Birmingham]] in [[1972]] when Mooney Broadcasting bought [[WBRC-AM]] and the inactive [[WBRC-FM]] station from [[Taft Broadcasting]]. At the time, WBRC-AM was playing a "middle of the road" music format. The new owners of the radio stations changed the call letters, re-christening the AM station as '''96-ERC''', and launching an all-out assault on the market’s leading Top 40 station, [[WSGN-AM]].


For much of the 1970’s WERC and WSGN were the two most listened-to stations in Birmingham.  The beginning of WERC’s demise as a Top 40 powerhouse came in [[1977]], when its FM sister station was re-launched as Top 40 [[WKXX-FM|WKXX]] ("Kicks 106"). By [[1980]], WERC-AM modified its format to adult contemporary music and was known as '''News Plus 960'''. "[[Calling All Sports]]", an afternoon drive sports call-in show hosted by future [[University of Alabama]] football announcer [[Eli Gold]] was launched in [[1981]].
For much of the 1970’s WERC and WSGN were the two most listened-to stations in Birmingham.  The beginning of WERC’s demise as a Top 40 powerhouse came in [[1977]], when its FM sister station was re-launched as Top 40 [[WKXX-FM|WKXX]] ("Kicks 106"). By [[1980]], WERC-AM modified its format to adult contemporary music and was known as '''News Plus 960'''. "[[Calling All Sports]]", an afternoon drive sports call-in show hosted by future [[University of Alabama]] football announcer [[Eli Gold]] was launched in [[1981]].
Line 21: Line 28:


==References==
==References==
* Jordan, Turner (January 1942) "[http://www.birminghamrewound.com/features/WBRC-2%20(01-42).jpg WBRC Is On Parade in Impressive New Downtown Studios]". ''Birmingham News'' - via [[Birmingham Rewound]]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=WERC&oldid=102341562 WERC]. (January 22, 2007). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 19:01, February 27, 2007.
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=WERC&oldid=102341562 WERC]. (January 22, 2007). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 19:01, February 27, 2007.
*[http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2007/02/stabler_takes_over_finebaums_o.html Stabler takes over Finebaum's old slot on WERC], 2/27/07, ''The Birmingham News''
*[http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2007/02/stabler_takes_over_finebaums_o.html Stabler takes over Finebaum's old slot on WERC], 2/27/07, ''The Birmingham News''

Revision as of 19:14, 1 January 2012

WERC-AM.gif

WERC-AM AM 960 is a Clear Channel-owned news/talk format radion station licensed in Birmingham and broadcasting at 5,000 watts.

History

The station was founded in May 1925 by physician J. C. Bell, transmitting for four hours a day on AM 950 from a 10-watt tower in his back yard in Fountain Heights. The original WBRC call letters stood for "Bell Radio Corporation". A boost to 50-watt broadcast on AM 1210 preceded the 1928 purchase of the station by M. D. Smith, Jr. Smith, owner of the Birmingham Awning and Tent Works] at 27th Street and 12th Avenue North, paid $2,000 for the station and equipped it with a new 500-watt transmitter and a studio in the Athletic Club downtown. He expanded the broadcast day to 12 hours and hired Les Connor as the station's first professional announcer.

In 1931 the power was increased again, to 5 kilowatts, and the studios moved to a glass-enclosed "Crystal Studio" on the mezzanine of the Temple Theater. The transmitter was re-erected in the community of Kilocycle in North Birmingham. A second announcer, John Connerly was brought on board and the station was incorporated. Smith and his wife held 50% of the stock while the remainder was split between J. C. Bell and Glenn Marshall. In 1935 WBRC became an affiliate of the NBC Radio Network. Under the requirements of the new North American Radio Broadcasting Agreement (NARBA), the station moved to its current frequency.

A year later the studio moved again, to the Bankhead Hotel, and then soon later to a building at 19th Street and 2nd Avenue North. Smith died in 1937 and his widow, Eloise Haney Smith took control of the station. She bought out Marshall and, when Bell died in 1940, purchased the remaining shares to take full ownership. The station moved one block to a newly-built air-conditioned studio at 18th Street and 2nd Avenue North in 1942.

After [[World War II], Eloise, now remarried to a Dr Hanna, switched the station over to the FM dial with a 500,000-watt transmitter, making WBRC-FM the most powerful station in the world. The new format was, however, unprofitable, and was switched over to television only in 1948. Hanna borrowed $150,000 to build a new studio building and transmitter for the TV station atop Red Mountain.

The station's long-time pop music format debuted in Birmingham in 1972 when Mooney Broadcasting bought WBRC-AM and the inactive WBRC-FM station from Taft Broadcasting. At the time, WBRC-AM was playing a "middle of the road" music format. The new owners of the radio stations changed the call letters, re-christening the AM station as 96-ERC, and launching an all-out assault on the market’s leading Top 40 station, WSGN-AM.

For much of the 1970’s WERC and WSGN were the two most listened-to stations in Birmingham. The beginning of WERC’s demise as a Top 40 powerhouse came in 1977, when its FM sister station was re-launched as Top 40 WKXX ("Kicks 106"). By 1980, WERC-AM modified its format to adult contemporary music and was known as News Plus 960. "Calling All Sports", an afternoon drive sports call-in show hosted by future University of Alabama football announcer Eli Gold was launched in 1981.

Competing unsuccessfully against WSGN and WAPI-AM in the adult contemporary segment, WERC dropped music altogether in 1982 and adopted its present news-talk format. The departure of Gold left Paul Finebaum's sports call in show as the station's bell cow, until early 2007 when Finebaum signed a contract with WJOX-FM. On February 26 of that year Kenny Stabler and Chris Stewart launched their "Ultimate Sports Show" on WERC. The sports slot changed again in February 2008 with the hiring of Herb Winches who - after a short stint with the station - resigned after three months, on April 28, 2008.

Schedule

  • 5AM to 6AM - Birmingham's AM News with Neal Vickers.
  • 6AM to 11AM - Scott Fitzgerald
  • 11AM to 2PM - Rush Limbaugh (syndicated political talk)
  • 2PM to 6PM - The Glenn Beck Program (syndicated political talk)
  • 6PM to 9PM - The Clark Howard Show (syndicated consumer issues show)
  • 9PM to 12AM - Coast to Coast with George Noory (paranormal talk, repeat)
  • 12AM to 4AM - Coast to Coast with George Noory (live)
  • 4AM to 5AM - The Wall Street Journal This Morning.

References

External links

Retrieved from "http://bhamwiki.com/w/index.php?title=WERC-AM&oldid=83141"