WCBM
Encyclopedia
WCBM 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.
- Chateau Baltimore Maryland. The Chateau was also home to the drugstore
where Dr. George Bunting first produced and marketed Noxzema
.
WCBM gradually became a full service free-flowing Middle of The Road music and personality station by the early 1960s. The station was sold in 1963 to Metromedia
radio. By the 1970s, WCBM evolved into more of an Adult Contemporary music format and in 1981 began running talk programming in the evening and evolved to all talk by 1983. The station would be sold in 1986 to local owners known as WCBM Inc. They then returned to an adult contemporary format, dropping talk abruptly. Then in March 1988, WCBM became an oldies music station playing the hits of 1955 to 1969. In May, after financial difficulties, the station filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy and went silent soon after. Later in the summer, WCBM returned to the air with its current format, running only syndicated talk shows.
as part of their lineup, but lost it to competitor WBAL
in 1994 due to the lack of transmitter power. At the time, WCBM was broadcasting at 10,000 watt
s, 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 WJZ-AM AM 1300 (then WJFK-AM) 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, The Sean Hannity Show
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
, on July 1, 2006, Limbaugh returned to WCBM after WBAL moved towards offering more local programming.
Limbaugh replaced G. Gordon Liddy in the noon slot, and The Mark Levin Show
debuted on the same day as Limbaugh's return, taking the 7-9 p.m. slot.
network news and now airs Fox News Radio
at the top and bottom of the hour. This change coincided with rival competitor station WBAL
's morning show's switch to all news. For both stations, new station sweepers, imaging, station ID's and music accompanied the changes in programming, with WBAL adopting an all news imaging package and WCBM adopting a new imaging sound to accompany the switch to Fox news.
However, WCBM still airs their classic "WCBM" jingle
before and after breaks in programming and more recently WBAL's station ID's were redone with a lighter announcing style.
, 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. Bob Pettit has been General Manager of WCBM and sister station Fox 1370 Sports Radio since January 2000.
Talk radio
Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues. Most shows are regularly hosted by a single individual, and often feature interviews with a number of different guests. Talk radio typically includes an element of listener participation, usually by broadcasting live...
formatted broadcast 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...
in Baltimore, Maryland
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
. The station is owned by WCBM Maryland, Inc., which also owns WVIE, 1370 AM. The station was previously owned by Metromedia
Metromedia
Metromedia was a media company that owned radio and television stations in the United States from 1956 to 1986 and owned Orion Pictures from 1986-1997.- Overview :...
and co-owned with WCBM-FM 106.5, now WWMX.
History
WCBM first went on the air in the 1920s when it was based in the Hotel Chateau, located at the northwest corner of Charles Street and North Avenue. The building's name inspired the call lettersCall sign
In broadcasting and radio communications, a call sign is a unique designation for a transmitting station. In North America they are used as names for broadcasting stations...
- Chateau Baltimore Maryland. The Chateau was also home to the drugstore
Pharmacy
Pharmacy is the health profession that links the health sciences with the chemical sciences and it is charged with ensuring the safe and effective use of pharmaceutical drugs...
where Dr. George Bunting first produced and marketed Noxzema
Noxzema
Noxzema is a skin cleanser marketed by Alberto-Culver. Alberto-Culver bought the rights to the brand in 2008 from Procter & Gamble and now owns and operates the line of skin-care products...
.
WCBM gradually became a full service free-flowing Middle of The Road music and personality station by the early 1960s. The station was sold in 1963 to Metromedia
Metromedia
Metromedia was a media company that owned radio and television stations in the United States from 1956 to 1986 and owned Orion Pictures from 1986-1997.- Overview :...
radio. By the 1970s, WCBM evolved into more of an Adult Contemporary music format and in 1981 began running talk programming in the evening and evolved to all talk by 1983. The station would be sold in 1986 to local owners known as WCBM Inc. They then returned to an adult contemporary format, dropping talk abruptly. Then in March 1988, WCBM became an oldies music station playing the hits of 1955 to 1969. In May, after financial difficulties, the station filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy and went silent soon after. Later in the summer, WCBM returned to the air with its current format, running only syndicated talk shows.
Programming
WCBM originally had The Rush Limbaugh ShowThe Rush Limbaugh Show
The Rush Limbaugh Show is an American talk radio show hosted by Rush Limbaugh on Premiere Radio Networks...
as part of their lineup, but lost it to competitor WBAL
WBAL (AM)
WBAL is a news-talk radio station located in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. WBAL broadcasts on a clear channel frequency with 50 kilowatts of power. Owned by the Hearst Corporation, WBAL's tri-mast transmitters are located in Randallstown, Maryland...
in 1994 due to the lack of transmitter power. At the time, WCBM was broadcasting at 10,000 watt
Watt
The watt is a derived unit of power in the International System of Units , named after the Scottish engineer James Watt . The unit, defined as one joule per second, measures the rate of energy conversion.-Definition:...
s, 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 WJZ-AM AM 1300 (then WJFK-AM) dropped his show, WCBM added The G. Gordon Liddy Show
G. Gordon Liddy
George Gordon Liddy was the chief operative for the White House Plumbers unit that existed from July–September 1971, during Richard Nixon's presidency. Separately, along with E. Howard Hunt, Liddy organized and directed the Watergate burglaries of the Democratic National Committee headquarters in...
. Liddy revived numbers for WCBM, although not as successful as Limbaugh.
By the end of 2001, The Sean Hannity Show
The Sean Hannity Show
The Sean Hannity Show is a talk radio show hosted by Sean Hannity on Citadel Media and Premiere Radio Networks. The program is broadcast live every weekday, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m...
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
WBAL (AM)
WBAL is a news-talk radio station located in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. WBAL broadcasts on a clear channel frequency with 50 kilowatts of power. Owned by the Hearst Corporation, WBAL's tri-mast transmitters are located in Randallstown, Maryland...
, on July 1, 2006, Limbaugh returned to WCBM after WBAL moved towards offering more local programming.
Limbaugh replaced G. Gordon Liddy in the noon slot, and The Mark Levin Show
The Mark Levin Show
The Mark Levin Show is a conservative talk radio show hosted by Mark Levin. It is currently the fourth most listened talk radio show. The radio show is a nationally broadcast program with over 8.5 million listeners.- Syndication :...
debuted on the same day as Limbaugh's return, taking the 7-9 p.m. slot.
Recent changes in programming and station sound
As of the fall of 2009, WCBM dropped ABC News RadioABC News Radio
ABC News Radio is the radio service of ABC News, a division of the ABC Television Network. Formerly known as ABC Radio News, ABC News Radio feeds, through Cumulus Media Networks, newscasts on the hour to its more than 2,000 affiliates...
network news and now airs Fox News Radio
Fox News Radio
Fox News Radio is an American radio network programmed by Fox News Channel.- History :In 2003, Fox News began syndicating one minute radio updates to radio stations via syndication service Westwood One. On June 1, 2005, Fox News Radio employed 60 people and provided five minute newscasts at the top...
at the top and bottom of the hour. This change coincided with rival competitor station WBAL
WBAL (AM)
WBAL is a news-talk radio station located in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. WBAL broadcasts on a clear channel frequency with 50 kilowatts of power. Owned by the Hearst Corporation, WBAL's tri-mast transmitters are located in Randallstown, Maryland...
's morning show's switch to all news. For both stations, new station sweepers, imaging, station ID's and music accompanied the changes in programming, with WBAL adopting an all news imaging package and WCBM adopting a new imaging sound to accompany the switch to Fox news.
However, WCBM still airs their classic "WCBM" jingle
Jingle
A jingle is a short tune used in advertising and for other commercial uses. The jingle contains one or more hooks and lyrics that explicitly promote the product being advertised, usually through the use of one or more advertising slogans. Ad buyers use jingles in radio and television...
before and after breaks in programming and more recently WBAL's station ID's were redone with a lighter announcing style.
Ownership
WCBM and WVIE are owned by M-10 Broadcasting and the Mangione Family. The former Nick Mangione Sr., a World War II veteran aboard the U.S.S Caperton, purchased the station in 1988. He brought over many talents from the old WFBR such as Tom MarrTom Marr
Tom Marr is an American talk radio host on WCBM in Baltimore, Maryland known for his conservative political views. His radio career spans close to 45 years, mostly in Baltimore, although he has worked in other major markets during that same period of time.In the Talkers Magazine list for 2010 he...
, who was a Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
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. Bob Pettit has been General Manager of WCBM and sister station Fox 1370 Sports Radio since January 2000.