WSBG

Infobox Radio station
name = WSBG


city = Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
area =
branding =
slogan =
frequency = 93.5 MHz
airdate =
share = 2.3, #9
share as of = Fa'07
share source = R&R [cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= | title=Wilkes Barre-Scranton Market Ratings | date= Fall 2007| url=http://www.radioandrecords.com/RRRatings/DetailsPage.aspx?MID=281&RY=2007&RQ=4&MP=0&OTHER=2&MN=Wilkes%20Barre-Scranton&MS=PA&MR=70&12P=687100&UP=1/8/2008%2012:00:00%20AM&SU=CM&BPER=&HPER=&OPER=&NSD=&CE=0
work =Radio and Records | pages = | date = | language = ]
format = Lite Rock
power =
erp = 550 watts
haat = 233.0 meters
class = A
facility_id = 47424
coordinates = coord|40|56|56.00|N| 75|9|29.00|W|region:US_type:city
callsign_meaning =
former_callsigns = WVPO-FM (1981-1983)
owner = Nassau Broadcasting Ii, LLC
licensee =
sister_stations =
webcast =
website =
affiliations =

WSBG (93.5 FM) is a radio station broadcasting a format. Licensed to Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, USA, the station serves the Stroudsburg area. The station is currently owned by Nassau Broadcasting Ii, LLC. [ cite web|url=http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?call=WSBG |title=WSBG Facility Record |work=United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division ]

History

93.5 FM began operation in 1964 as WVPO FM. Initially the station employed an MOR format playing mostly pop standards and simulcast WVPO. Beginning in the late 1960s WVPO FM would simulcast WVPO in the morning hours and in the afternoon employ a pop rock format. This continued until February 1984. Their local owners were known as Keystone Broadcasters.

In 1983 WVPO FM separated totally from WVPO and began offering a Top 40 format playing current product mixed with big hits from the late 70's and 80's. The station added new jingles and liners and also added to its airstaff. The call letters were changed to WSBG. The station at one point became known as Power 93.5. The station continued to evolve and by the early 1990s the station played hits of the late 80's, 90's and plenty of new product.

In 1994 WSBG and WVPO were sold to Nassau Broadcasting Partners. The format remained Top 40 initially. In 1995 though WSBG began to lean alternative rock. Early in 1996 the station had become almost entirely modern rock but evolved back to mainstream top 40 almost as quickly by the Summer. The station continued as a Top 40 station until October 1997. At that point the station quietly segued into a Hot Adult Contemporary format.

In 1998 the station along with WVPO were sold to Multicultural Broadcsters but continued to be managed by Nassau. In 1999 WSBG sounded like a Top 40 station without any rap or hip hop.

On August 25, 2000, Nassau flipped station then sister station WHCY 106.3 (WHCY is now a Clear Channel station) from Country to Top 40. Some of WSBG's staffers moved there. Others remained at WSBG. On the same day WSBG adopted a new adult rock format modeled after a format known as "Alice" which was being employed by 104.5 in Philadelphia (that station has since changed formats).

In 2001 Nassau acquired Lehigh Valley stations WODE 99.9, 1230 WEEX, and a cash amount from Clear Channel Communications in exchange for New Jersey stations WNNJ, WNNJ FM, WHCY, WSUS, and the LMA with WDLC and WTSX.

In 2002 Nassau had acquired full ownership of WVPO and WSBG. WSBG had remained a gold based Adult rock format focusing on 70's to 90's pop rock hits. The most prominent show on the station had been the "Gary In The Morning" show featuring Gary Smith. On April 11, 2007 Smith was fired for airing a contest based around a racial slur said by Don Imus 2 days earlier on his nationally syndicated radio show.

On May 3, 2007, the "Rockin' Hits" format of WSBG was shut down. The "Lite 107" format, which is an adult contemporary format moved from sister station 107.1 WWYY to 93.5 WSBG. WWYY at the same time began a new station known as "The Bone" and now 107.1 offers a Hard Rock based Classic rock format. Nassau veterans Chuck Seese and Joann George are currently the Morning team on Lite 93.5. Amy Navarro handles the mid-day show. Station PD Rod Bauman mans the afternoon slot from 3-7pm.

Gary Smith controversy

On April 11, 2007 Gary Smith, host of the "Gary In The Morning" show was fired for a "joke" that he did on the previous Monday's show. Listeners were call in with "The Phrase that Pays" to win a prize. That phrase was "I'm A Nappy Headed Ho" (in reference to the remarks made by Don Imus on his nationally syndicated radio show).

According to a press release issued by the station, Smith “used the phrase with full knowledge of the reaction to Don Imus’ use of the exact same phrase just a day earlier, which is the reason he was terminated and not suspended.”

On April 17th 2007, Smith took part in a telephone interview with Howard Stern on "The Howard Stern Show". After Gary Smith gave his account of the incident, Howard Stern urged Nassau Broadcasting to reinstate Smith's job immediately. But Nassau was planning a move of 107.1 WWYY's format to 93.5, and planned to begin another format for 107.1.

Smith has since moved his local morning program to the Internet, with a weekday live show streaming from [http://www.garyinthemorning.com] .

References

External links

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* [http://www.garyinthemorning.com/ Gary Smith website]
* [http://www.lite935.com/ WSBG-FM website]