- WIBT
Infobox Radio Station
name = WIBT
city =Shelby, North Carolina
area = Charlotte/Metrolina
branding = "96.1 The Beat"
slogan = Charlotte's Beat Charlotte's Party Station
airdate = 1970s
frequency = 96.1 (MHz)
format =Hip hop
erp = 100,000watt s
sister_stations =WEND ,WIBT ,WKKT ,WLYT ,WRFX
class =
owner =Clear Channel
website = [http://www.charlottesbeat.com/ http://www.charlottesbeat.com/]
callsign_meaning = We're North CarolIna's BeaT"'WIBT (96.1 The Beat) is a
Hip hop station licensed toShelby, North Carolina , USA and serves the Charlotte area. TheClear Channel Communications outlet broadcasts at 96.1 MHz with aneffective radiated power of 100 kW. Its transmitter is located inDallas, North Carolina .History
The station was originally known as WOHS-FM, which complimented its AM counterpart
WOHS out ofShelby, North Carolina . In the late 1970s, the station increased its signal power to cover the far western portion of Charlotte and expanded its coverage as WXIK-FM, adopting aTop 40 format that was heavy on "deep cut" rock hits. In 1987, the station boosted its signal again to cover the entire Charlotte area, and adopted a goldAdult Contemporary for a time. A new set of call letters, WWMG-FM, were adopted at that time as well, along with the name "Magic 96". Later in the 1980s, the station went with anOldies format.Even though the Oldies format remained successful for nearly two decades, its later years deemed less successful. In 2004, the station made headlines when the Oldies format was dropped for its current format. The WIBT calls were chosen shortly afterwards, even though it initially created confusion between it and legendary Charlotte station WBT, which also has a spot on the FM dial as well.
Despite the controversy that ensued, WIBT would become a success story when it went to #1 in the Fall 2004 Arbitrons. As a Rhythmic Top 40 formatted station, WIBT is in competition with long-time Urban heritage station
WPEG "Power 98" and Pop stationWNKS "Kiss 95.1".As WWMG, the station was Charlotte's radio home of the
North Carolina Tar Heels from1991 to1995 .Trivia
By mere coincidence, WIBT is the eastern reflection of
KIBT inColorado Springs , which also calls itself "96.1 The Beat" with a Rhythmic format.External links
* [http://www.charlottesbeat.com Charlotte's Beat Online]
* [http://www.tragic96.com Tragic96.com] - WWMG memorial site
*fmq|WIBT
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