WCBM

Infobox Radio station
name = WCBM


city = Baltimore, MD
area =
branding = "Talkradio 680"
slogan =
airdate =
frequency = 680 kHz
format = News/Talk
erp = 50,000 watts (day)
20,000 watts (night)
class = B
facility_id = 4759
owner = WCBM Maryland, Inc.
webcast = [http://main.str3am.com/wcbm Listen Live]
website = http://www.wcbm.com/
sister_stations = WVIE
callsign_meaning = |

WCBM (680 AM, "Talkradio 680") is a Talk formatted broadcast radio station in Baltimore, Maryland. The station is owned by WCBM Maryland, Inc., which also owns WVIE, 1370 AM. The station was previously owned by Metromedia and co-owned with WCBM-FM 106.5, now WWMX.

History

Programming

WCBM originally had Rush Limbaugh as part of their lineup, but lost him to competitor WBAL in 1994 due to the lack of transmitter power. At the time, WCBM was broadcasting at 10,000 watts, which was dramatically reduced after 6p.m. each night. So WCBM had to scramble to put a lineup together to compete with WBAL. Despite having a following, Zoh Heironimus didn't capture the listenership as well as Limbaugh. So WCBM added Dr. Laura Schlessinger to the 12-3 spot; this actually had negative results. After WJFK AM 1300 dropped his show, WCBM added the G. Gordon Liddy show. Liddy revived numbers for WCBM, although not as successful as Limbaugh.

By the end of 2001, Sean Hannity was added to the 3-6 p.m. lineup, replacing Bob Scherr. By this time rumors were abound of the new omnidirectional transmitter being built in Carroll County, Maryland. WCBM went to 50,000 watts in 2004. By the end of his contract with WBAL, Limbaugh returned to WCBM, replacing G. Gordon Liddy in the noon slot in 2006. Mark Levin debuted his show the same day as Limbaugh's return in the 7-9 p.m. slot.

On July 1, 2006, WCBM began airing The Rush Limbaugh Show after WBAL dropped it in favour of more local programming.

Ownership

WCBM and WVIE are owned by Nick Mangione, Sr. Mangione, a World War II veteran aboard the U.S.S Caperton, was affiliated with the former WFBR am 1300. After years of struggling with other investors, Mangione bought WCBM in the late 1980s. He brought over many talents from the old WFBR such as Tom Marr, who was a Baltimore Orioles play by play announcer, and Les Kinsolving.

Sean Casey is currently the Program Director. He hosts the Morning Show with Frank Luber, a former reporter with WJZ-TV. Joe "Hosni" Armacost is their co-broadcaster and call screener.

References

External links

* [http://www.wcbm.com WCBM website]
*AMQ|WCBM
*AML|WCBM
*AMARB|WCBM