Infobox Radio Station
name = WABB-FM
city = Mobile, Alabama
area = Mobile, AL Pensacola, FL
branding = "97.5 WABB"
slogan = "The Gulf Coast's Hit Music Station"
airdate = February 5, 1973
frequency = 97.5 MHz (FM)
format = Top 40 (CHR)
erp = 100,000 watts
haat = 473 meters (1552 feet)
class = C
sister_stations = WABB (AM)
facility_id = 70657
owner = Dittman Broadcasting
licensee = WABB-FM, Inc.
website = http://www.wabb.com/
callsign_meaning = "Alabama's Best Broadcasters"|
WABB (97.5 FM, "97.5 WABB") is a radio station broadcasting a Top 40 (CHR) format serving the Mobile, Alabama area, with coverage in the Pensacola, Florida area. It first began broadcasting in 1973. The station is currently owned by Dittman Broadcasting.
History
WABB began broadcasting at 1480 kHz on June 19, 1948, when it was owned by the "Mobile Register" under call letters meaning "Alabama's Best Broadcasters" and had a country music format.
WABB had an FM simulcast from the very beginning, starting with 107.9 MHz and later 102.1 MHz until it was discontinued in the 1950s.
Shortly after owner Bernie Dittman moved to Mobile from his native Ohio to join his father J.W. at the station, Top-40 music became the new format.[cite news |work=Media Life |url=http://www.medialifemagazine.com/ml/ac/pp103006.asp |title=People: Radio |quote=Dittman owned WABB-AM since 1959, adding WABB-FM in 1973.] ]WABB 97.5 FM signed on for the first time on February 5, 1973 with the song "Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again" by Bob Dylan.[cite news |url=http://www.allbusiness.com/services/motion-pictures/4484342-1.html |work=Radio Monitor |title=Bernie Dittman Passes Away |date=2006-10-26] WABB-FM was originally a simulcast of its sister station before moving toward the format of album oriented rock. ]Notable alumni of WABB include legendary radio personality Scott Shannon. [cite news |work=Radio & Records |title=Publisher's Profile: Scott Shannon |first=Erica |last=Farber |url=http://www.radioandrecords.com/Profiles/Pages/Shannon_S.asp |date=2003-04-11]
When WABB-FM made the move to its current contemporary hit radio format in 1984, the AM station continued to play Top-40 music. Eventually, the economics of AM radio in the United States meant a move away from music and the station adopted a talk radio format.
WABB's longtime owner, president, and general manager Bernie Dittman died on October 25, 2006 after suffering from a stroke the previous week. [cite news |work=Radio Ink |title=WABB's Dittman Dead At 79 |url=http://www.radioink.com/HeadlineEntry.asp?hid=135625&pt=archive] Dittman's daughter Betsey succeeded him after relocating to Mobile from Chicago, Illinois. [cite web |work=Lagniappe Mobile |url=http://www.lagniappemobile.com/article/562 |title=Media Frenzy |first=Rob |last=Holbert |date=2006-11-08]
References
External links
* [http://www.wabb.com 97.5 WABB official website]
*FMQ|WABB
*FML|WABB
*FMARB|WABB
