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WXBQ-FM

Bristol, Virginia United States
Broadcast area	Tri-Cities
Frequency	96.9 FM MHz
Branding	96.9 WXBQ
Programming
Format	Country
Affiliations	Fox News Radio Motor Racing Network
Ownership
Owner	Bristol Broadcasting Company, Inc.
Sister stations	WAEZ, WEXX, WWTB, WFHG-FM, WLNQ, WNPC
History
First air date	December 25, 1946
Former call signs	WOPI-FM (1946–1972) WKYE-FM (1972–1975) WFHG-FM (1975–1978)
Technical information
Licensing authority	FCC
Facility ID	6876
Class	C
ERP	75,000 watts
HAAT	683 meters (2,241 ft)
Transmitter coordinates	36°25′59.3″N 82°8′10.4″W / 36.433139°N 82.136222°W / 36.433139; -82.136222
Links
Public license information	Public file LMS
Webcast	Listen live
Website	www.wxbq.com

WXBQ-FM is a Country formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Bristol, Virginia, serving the Tri-Cities. WXBQ-FM is owned and operated by Bristol Broadcasting Company, Inc.

History

WOPI-FM, sister to 1490 WOPI, signed on Christmas Day 1946 from atop Whitetop Mountain, a facility described at the time as "the largest frequency modulation station in the South". After 10 days using a temporary antenna, the station went on air with its regular 10 kW power on January 4, 1947. Building on Whitetop, Virginia's second-tallest mountain, meant bringing power lines six miles to the site and constructing a tower in high winds. When winter weather set in, as it did that February, staff were marooned atop the mountain. WOPI-FM simulcast most of WOPI's NBC and local output and had exclusive coverage of many sporting events.

In 1951, WOPI-FM moved off the mountain and to the AM transmitter tower off Old Abingdon Road in Bristol, Virginia. The temporary facility was replaced by a new site in 1954 on the edge of town. Along with WOPI AM, WOPI-FM was sold to W. A. Wilson in 1954, the Pioneer Broadcasting Company in 1959, and the Tri-Cities Broadcasting Company in 1965.

The station was sold twice to different radio partners. In 1972, the Highland Development Corporation of Bristol, owners of 1550 WKYE, acquired 96.9 and renamed it WKYE-FM. The station became WFHG-FM in 1975 upon acquisition by the Bristol Broadcasting Company and adopted its present WXBQ-FM call letters in 1978. The call letters were chosen randomly but to avoid confusion with the AM outlet; by this time, WXBQ-FM had already gone country.

Kenny Chesney credits WXBQ and its longtime program director Bill Hagy for helping start his career; Chesney attended nearby East Tennessee State University in Johnson City.

References

1. "Facility Technical Data for WXBQ-FM". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
2. "Arbitron Station Information Profiles". Nielsen Audio/Nielsen Holdings. Retrieved January 23, 2014.
3. "WXBQ Facility Record". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. Retrieved January 23, 2014.
4. "Bristol FM Station On Air From White Top Mountain". Kingsport Times. January 6, 1947. p. 3. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
5. ^ Cady, Mike (April 27, 1947). "Here & There". Bristol Herald-Courier. pp. 1B, 3B. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
6. "Plane Attempts To Drop Food To Trio". Bristol Herald-Courier. February 27, 1947. pp. 1, 2. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
7. "FM Station Has 100-Mile Hearing Area". Bristol Herald-Courier. December 24, 1950. p. 2-A. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
8. ^ ‹ The template below (FCC letter) is being considered for deletion. See templates for discussion to help reach a consensus. ›

   FCC History Cards for WXBQ-FM

9. "WOPI's FM Station To Be Moved Here". Bristol Herald Courier. May 30, 1951. p. 18. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
10. "FM". Kingsport Times-News. March 10, 1979. p. 14. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
11. Tennis, Joe (April 23, 2015). "Midas Touch: WXBQ's Bill Hagy takes a look back at a 50-year-career". Bristol Herald Courier. Retrieved October 16, 2019.

External links

• 96.9 WXBQ Online
• Facility details for Facility ID 6876 (WXBQ-FM) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
• WXBQ-FM in Nielsen Audio's FM station database

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• Country radio stations in the United States
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• 1946 establishments in Virginia
• Bristol, Virginia
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