WRHT
Encyclopedia
WRHT is a radio station, broadcasting with 100,000 watts that cover the Greenville/New Bern area with a country music
format. WRHT is licensed to Morehead City
. WRHT is owned and operated by Inner Banks Media, owned by Henry Hinton.
format. In 1981 WMBL-FM changed their calls to WMBJ as "J-96" and later 'Sunny 95.9'. In the mid 1980's, WMBJ moved to 96.3 and became "Sunny 96.3". In the late 1980s 96.3 changed calls to WRHT and became a CHR
music station as '96.3 The Hot FM'.
In 2003, Archway Broadcasting Group, LLC, announced its acquisition of WRHT, WCBZ, and two other Greenville market stations--WNBR and WZBR--from Eastern North Carolina Broadcasting Company, Inc. for $6.5 million. Also that year, Archway bought WGPM
and WCZI
.
In January 2004, WCBZ changed callsign to WRHD. That same year while under ownership of Archway Broadcasting, the station's studios moved to New Bern.
In September 2005, both stations became "The HOT FM" again as part of their 15th Anniversary.
Inner Banks Media LLC bought WRHT and WRHD as part of a cluster of stations from Archway for $4.5 million in March 2007.
On April 25, 2007, HOT FM moved to the weaker frequencies of WWHA-FM 94.1 (formerly WNBR) in Oriental
and WWNK-FM 94.3 (formerly WGPM) in Farmville
. Both were the home of country "94 HANK-FM". The Country format moved to the stronger 96.3/103.7 frequencies and became now known as "Thunder Country".
On March 15, 2010, Thunder Country and WTIB
-FM traded frequencies.
On April 5, 2010, Thunder Country added Big D and Bubba
. The stations also air The Big Time with Whitney Allen.
On May 3, 2010 WRHD split from the "Thunder Country" simulcast and changed their format to hot adult contemporary, branded as "Star 94.3".
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
format. WRHT is licensed to Morehead City
Morehead City, North Carolina
Morehead City is a port city in Carteret County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 8,661 at the 2010 census. Morehead City celebrated the 150th anniversary of its founding on May 5, 2007...
. WRHT is owned and operated by Inner Banks Media, owned by Henry Hinton.
History
WRHT started in the 1970s as WMBL-FM on 95.9 FM. For a time the station used to simulcast on WMBL-AM 740 with a MOR/StandardsAdult standards
Adult standards is a North American radio format heard primarily on AM or class A FM stations.Adult standards is aimed at "mature" adults, meaning mainly those persons over 50 years of age, but it is mostly targeted for senior citizens...
format. In 1981 WMBL-FM changed their calls to WMBJ as "J-96" and later 'Sunny 95.9'. In the mid 1980's, WMBJ moved to 96.3 and became "Sunny 96.3". In the late 1980s 96.3 changed calls to WRHT and became a CHR
Contemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts...
music station as '96.3 The Hot FM'.
Simulcast
In the early 2000s WRHT/WCBZ were known as "Hot 96 and 103-7".In 2003, Archway Broadcasting Group, LLC, announced its acquisition of WRHT, WCBZ, and two other Greenville market stations--WNBR and WZBR--from Eastern North Carolina Broadcasting Company, Inc. for $6.5 million. Also that year, Archway bought WGPM
WTIB
WTIB is a radio station in Eastern North Carolina that airs a talk format. WTIB is licensed in Williamston, North Carolina.-History:...
and WCZI
WLGT
WLGT is an American radio station licensed to Washington, North Carolina, USA. It serves the Greenville-New Bern-Kinston area. The station is currently owned by New Lite Media. After several months off the air, WLGT returned to the air on April 1, 2011...
.
In January 2004, WCBZ changed callsign to WRHD. That same year while under ownership of Archway Broadcasting, the station's studios moved to New Bern.
In September 2005, both stations became "The HOT FM" again as part of their 15th Anniversary.
Inner Banks Media LLC bought WRHT and WRHD as part of a cluster of stations from Archway for $4.5 million in March 2007.
On April 25, 2007, HOT FM moved to the weaker frequencies of WWHA-FM 94.1 (formerly WNBR) in Oriental
Oriental, North Carolina
Oriental is known as 'The Sailing Capital of North Carolina'.This tiny harbor town is on the Neuse River, the widest river in the USA, leading to the vast sailing waters of Pamlico Sound and on to the Atlantic through North Carolina's barrier islands. The area is easily some of the finest boating...
and WWNK-FM 94.3 (formerly WGPM) in Farmville
Farmville, North Carolina
Farmville is a town in Pitt County, North Carolina, eight miles to the west of Greenville, North Carolina. According to a census taken in 2008 the estimated population is 4,615...
. Both were the home of country "94 HANK-FM". The Country format moved to the stronger 96.3/103.7 frequencies and became now known as "Thunder Country".
On March 15, 2010, Thunder Country and WTIB
WTIB
WTIB is a radio station in Eastern North Carolina that airs a talk format. WTIB is licensed in Williamston, North Carolina.-History:...
-FM traded frequencies.
On April 5, 2010, Thunder Country added Big D and Bubba
Big D and Bubba
The Big D and Bubba Show is a nationally syndicated radio show airing daily on over 50 FM radio stations. The show is syndicated by Premiere Radio Networks.-Early beginnings and self-syndication:...
. The stations also air The Big Time with Whitney Allen.
On May 3, 2010 WRHD split from the "Thunder Country" simulcast and changed their format to hot adult contemporary, branded as "Star 94.3".