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WIBT (96.1 The Beat) is a rhythmic top 40 station licensed to Shelby, North Carolina, USA and serves the Charlotte area. The Clear Channel Communications outlet broadcasts at 96.1 MHz with an effective radiated power of 100 kW. Its transmitter is located in Dallas, North Carolina.
[edit] History
The station was originally known as WOHS-FM, which complimented its AM counterpart WOHS out of Shelby, North Carolina. In the late 1970s, the station increased its signal power to cover the far western portion of Charlotte and expanded its coverage as WXIK-FM, adopting a Top 40 format that was heavy on "deep cut" rock hits. In 1987, the station boosted its signal again to cover the entire Charlotte area, and adopted a gold Adult Contemporary for a time. A new set of call letters, WWMG-FM, were adopted at that time as well, along with the name "Magic 96". Later in the 1980s, the station went with an Oldies format.
Even though the Oldies format remained successful for nearly two decades, its later years deemed less successful. In 2004, the station made headlines when the Oldies format was dropped for its current format. The WIBT calls were chosen shortly afterwards, even though it initially created confusion between it and legendary Charlotte station WBT, which also has a spot on the FM dial as well.
Despite the controversy that ensued, WIBT would become a success story when it went to #1 in the Fall 2004 Arbitrons. As a Rhythmic Top 40 formatted station, WIBT is in competition with long-time Urban heritage station WPEG Power 98 and Pop station WNKS Kiss 95.1.
As WWMG, the station was Charlotte's radio home of the North Carolina Tar Heels from 1991 to 1995.
[edit] Trivia
By mere coincidence, WIBT is the eastern reflection of KIBT in Colorado Springs, which also calls itself 96.1 The Beat with a Rhythmic format.
[edit] External links
