WBPT
Encyclopedia
WBPT is a classic hits
music-formatted radio station
licensed to Homewood, Alabama
, that serves the Birmingham
and central Alabama
area. The station was assigned the WBPT call letters by the Federal Communications Commission
on October 17, 2001
. Since October 2005, it has used the branding "106.9 the Eagle". The station is owned by Cox Radio
, along with six other stations in the cluster. Its transmitter is located atop Red Mountain in Birmingham.
or WVOK. In 1972, both the AM and FM radio stations were sold by Taft Broadcasting to Mooney Broadcasting; as a result, the callsigns of the radio stations were changed to WERC-AM and FM, respectively. The AM station dropped "middle of the road" music (a precursor to today's adult contemporary format) in favor of Top 40. The FM station repeated the AM station's daytime programming, while at night it featured separate album-oriented rock shows.
In 1977, the broadcast facilities of WERC-FM were upgraded, and the callsign was changed to WKXX. In August of that year, WKXX became the only Top 40 station on the FM dial in Birmingham, with the branding "Kicks 106". By the next year, "Kicks 106" had become the top-rated radio station in Birmingham, dethroning the longstanding ratings leader, WSGN-AM, "the Big 610" (now WAGG
). The success of "Kicks 106" eventually forced both WSGN and WKXX's own AM sister station, branded "96-ERC", to abandon their Top 40 formats.
Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, WKXX was the dominant FM Top 40 station in Birmingham. As late as 1984, Kicks 106 held the top spot in ratings among Birmingham stations. This success continued until 1985, when WAPI-FM
(branded "I-95") became the second station in the market to employ the format. In addition, Top 40 stations from Tuscaloosa
and Gadsden
could be picked up in most of the Birmingham area. By 1987, Kicks 106 modified its format, playing a hybrid of Top 40 and urban crossover music, positioning itself somewhat between I-95 and urban station WENN
. Initially, the altered format was successful. However, in 1989, the station returned to a straight Top 40 format, with a new branding, "X-106". The X-106 format and nickname were not well-received, however, and in 1990, the station changed its on-air name to "The Power Cow, Kicks 106", returning to the Top 40/urban hybrid.
In June 1991, WKXX finally abandoned its Top 40 format and became "Real Country 106.9", WBMH. Some six months later, the callsign was changed to WIKX and the Kicks 106 name reappeared (in fact, many of the old Top 40-era Kicks jingles were used), but the station retained its country format. The station was less successful playing country music than they had been in their last days as a Top 40 station.
In October 1992, 106.9 took on its next callsign, becoming WODL, "Oldies 106.9". The station continued in this format until October 2001, when the oldies format moved from 106.9 to 97.3, which was (and still is) co-owned by Cox Radio
. At this time, WBPT debuted on 106.9, calling itself "106-9 the Point", playing an all-1980s music format. The Point was never a very successful station, and in October 2005 the strictly 1980s format was dropped.
and adopted new branding as "106-9 the Eagle". The station plays hits of the 1970s through the 1990s from artists such as Phil Collins
, Styx
, Boston
, the Doobie Brothers, Fleetwood Mac
and Red Hot Chili Peppers
.
Classic hits
Classic hits is a radio format which generally includes rock and pop music from 1964 to 1989. The term is sometimes erroneously used as a synonym for the adult hits format, but is more accurately characterized as a contemporary style of the oldies format...
music-formatted radio station
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
licensed to Homewood, Alabama
Homewood, Alabama
Homewood is a city in southeastern Jefferson County, Alabama, United States. It is a suburb of Birmingham, located on the other side of Red Mountain due south of the city center. It has one of the highest population densities in Alabama. As of 2009 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the...
, that serves the Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
and central Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
area. The station was assigned the WBPT call letters by the Federal Communications Commission
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
on October 17, 2001
2001 in radio
The year 2001 in radio involved some significant events.-Events:*12 January: Jammin 103.5 becomes Kiss 103.5 in Chicago.*29 January: The 80s Channel WXXY and WWYX becomes Viva! 103.1...
. Since October 2005, it has used the branding "106.9 the Eagle". The station is owned by Cox Radio
Cox Radio
Cox Radio, Inc. is a division of Cox Enterprises that holds a number of radio stations. Cox Radio is headquartered at 6205 Peachtree Dunwoody Road in Sandy Springs, Georgia....
, along with six other stations in the cluster. Its transmitter is located atop Red Mountain in Birmingham.
History
The 106.9 frequency has been the home of several formats and callsigns throughout its history. It began in the 1950s as WTNB-FM then switched to WBRC-FM and was co-owned with WBRC-TV Channel 6 and WBRC-AM (960). Throughout the 1960s, the FM station simulcasted the AM station, a typical practice for its day. By 1971, WBRC-FM was playing Top 40 music, but it was not successful in competing against the AM Top 40 powerhouses WSGNWAGG
WAGG is a radio station licensed to Birmingham, Alabama. It broadcasts at a daytime power 5,000 watts, and at nighttime, it broadcasts at 1,000 watts. WAGG is a gospel music station that targets Birmingham's African-American population. It is owned by Cox Radio, which also owns six other...
or WVOK. In 1972, both the AM and FM radio stations were sold by Taft Broadcasting to Mooney Broadcasting; as a result, the callsigns of the radio stations were changed to WERC-AM and FM, respectively. The AM station dropped "middle of the road" music (a precursor to today's adult contemporary format) in favor of Top 40. The FM station repeated the AM station's daytime programming, while at night it featured separate album-oriented rock shows.
In 1977, the broadcast facilities of WERC-FM were upgraded, and the callsign was changed to WKXX. In August of that year, WKXX became the only Top 40 station on the FM dial in Birmingham, with the branding "Kicks 106". By the next year, "Kicks 106" had become the top-rated radio station in Birmingham, dethroning the longstanding ratings leader, WSGN-AM, "the Big 610" (now WAGG
WAGG
WAGG is a radio station licensed to Birmingham, Alabama. It broadcasts at a daytime power 5,000 watts, and at nighttime, it broadcasts at 1,000 watts. WAGG is a gospel music station that targets Birmingham's African-American population. It is owned by Cox Radio, which also owns six other...
). The success of "Kicks 106" eventually forced both WSGN and WKXX's own AM sister station, branded "96-ERC", to abandon their Top 40 formats.
Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, WKXX was the dominant FM Top 40 station in Birmingham. As late as 1984, Kicks 106 held the top spot in ratings among Birmingham stations. This success continued until 1985, when WAPI-FM
WJOX
WJOX WJOX WJOX (690 AM, "Jox 94.5" (simulcasting WJOX-FM) is an all-sports radio station licensed to Birmingham, Alabama, with daytime licensed power of 50,000 Watts and 500 Watts at night. WJOX is the Birmingham affiliate of the University of Alabama Crimson Tide Sports Network (football only),...
(branded "I-95") became the second station in the market to employ the format. In addition, Top 40 stations from Tuscaloosa
WDXB
WDXB is a Clear Channel Communications-owned country music formatted radio station licensed to Pelham, Alabama, that serves Birmingham and north-central Alabama.-Programming:...
and Gadsden
WQEN
WQEN is a radio station licensed to serve Trussville, Alabama, USA. The station is owned by Clear Channel Communications...
could be picked up in most of the Birmingham area. By 1987, Kicks 106 modified its format, playing a hybrid of Top 40 and urban crossover music, positioning itself somewhat between I-95 and urban station WENN
WUHT
-External links:*...
. Initially, the altered format was successful. However, in 1989, the station returned to a straight Top 40 format, with a new branding, "X-106". The X-106 format and nickname were not well-received, however, and in 1990, the station changed its on-air name to "The Power Cow, Kicks 106", returning to the Top 40/urban hybrid.
In June 1991, WKXX finally abandoned its Top 40 format and became "Real Country 106.9", WBMH. Some six months later, the callsign was changed to WIKX and the Kicks 106 name reappeared (in fact, many of the old Top 40-era Kicks jingles were used), but the station retained its country format. The station was less successful playing country music than they had been in their last days as a Top 40 station.
In October 1992, 106.9 took on its next callsign, becoming WODL, "Oldies 106.9". The station continued in this format until October 2001, when the oldies format moved from 106.9 to 97.3, which was (and still is) co-owned by Cox Radio
Cox Radio
Cox Radio, Inc. is a division of Cox Enterprises that holds a number of radio stations. Cox Radio is headquartered at 6205 Peachtree Dunwoody Road in Sandy Springs, Georgia....
. At this time, WBPT debuted on 106.9, calling itself "106-9 the Point", playing an all-1980s music format. The Point was never a very successful station, and in October 2005 the strictly 1980s format was dropped.
Programming
In October 2005, the station added a broader rotation of classic hitsClassic hits
Classic hits is a radio format which generally includes rock and pop music from 1964 to 1989. The term is sometimes erroneously used as a synonym for the adult hits format, but is more accurately characterized as a contemporary style of the oldies format...
and adopted new branding as "106-9 the Eagle". The station plays hits of the 1970s through the 1990s from artists such as Phil Collins
Phil Collins
Philip David Charles "Phil" Collins, LVO is an English singer-songwriter, drummer, pianist and actor best known as a drummer and vocalist for British progressive rock group Genesis and as a solo artist....
, Styx
Styx (band)
Styx is an American rock band that became famous for its albums from the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Chicago band is known for melding the style of prog-rock with the power of hard rock guitar, strong ballads, and elements of American musical theater....
, Boston
Boston (band)
Boston is an American rock band from Boston, Massachusetts that achieved its most notable successes during the 1970s and 1980s. Centered on guitarist, keyboardist, songwriter, and producer Tom Scholz, the band is a staple of classic rock radio playlists...
, the Doobie Brothers, Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac are a British–American rock band formed in 1967 in London.The only original member present in the band is its eponymous drummer, Mick Fleetwood...
and Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The group's musical style primarily consists of rock with an emphasis on funk, as well as elements from other genres such as punk, hip hop and psychedelic rock...
.