WSBG

WSBG
City of license Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania
Broadcast area Stroudsburg area
Branding 935 SBG
Slogan "The Poconos' Best Variety"
Frequency 93.5 MHz
Format Hot AC
Language English
Audience share 2.3, #9 (Fa'07, R&R[1])
ERP 550 watts
HAAT 233.0 meters
Class A
Facility ID 47424
Callsign meaning StroudsBurG
Former callsigns WVPO-FM (1964-1983)
Owner Nassau Broadcasting Ii, LLC
Webcast Listen Live
Website Official Site

WSBG (93.5 FM) is a radio station broadcasting a hot adult contemporary format. For the last couple of years, the station offered a mainstream adult contemporary format moved from 107.1 FM. Licensed to Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, USA, the station serves the Stroudsburg area. The station is currently owned by Nassau Broadcasting, LLC.[2]

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History

93.5 FM began operation in 1964 as WVPO-FM. Initially the station employed an MOR format playing mostly pop standards and simulcast WVPO. Beginning in the late 1960s WVPO-FM would simulcast WVPO in the morning hours and in the afternoon employ a pop rock format. This continued until February 1984. Their local owners were known as Keystone Broadcasters.

In 1983 WVPO-FM separated totally from WVPO and began offering a Top 40 format playing current product mixed with big hits from the late 1970s and 1980s. The station added new jingles and liners and also added to its airstaff. The call letters were changed to WSBG. The station at one point became known as Power 93.5. The station continued to evolve and by the early 1990s the station played hits of the late 1980s, 1990s and plenty of new product.

In 1994, WSBG and WVPO were sold to Nassau Broadcasting Partners. The format remained Top 40 initially. In 1995, though, WSBG began to lean alternative rock. Early in 1996 the station had become almost entirely modern rock but evolved back to mainstream top 40 almost as quickly by the Summer. The station continued as a Top 40 station until October 1997. At that point the station quietly segued into a Hot Adult Contemporary format.

In 1998 the station, along with WVPO, were sold to Multicultural Broadcsters but continued to be managed by Nassau. In 1999, WSBG was a Hot A/C station.

On August 25, 2000, Nassau flipped then-sister station WHCY 106.3 (which is now a Clear Channel station) from Country to Top 40. Some of WSBG's staffers moved there. Others remained at WSBG. On that same day, WSBG adopted a new adult rock format modeled after a format known as "Alice" which was being employed by 104.5 in Philadelphia (that station has since changed formats).

In 2001, Nassau acquired Lehigh Valley stations WODE 99.9, 1230 WEEX, and a cash amount from Clear Channel Communications in exchange for New Jersey stations WNNJ, WNNJ-FM, WHCY, WSUS, and the LMA with WDLC and WTSX.

In 2002, Nassau re-acquired full ownership of WVPO and WSBG. WSBG had remained a gold-based Adult rock format focusing on 1970s to 1990s pop rock hits. The most prominent show on the station had been the "Gary In The Morning" show, featuring Gary Smith. On April 11, 2007 Smith was fired for airing a contest based around a racial slur said by Don Imus 2 days earlier on his nationally syndicated radio show.

On May 3, 2007, the "Rockin' Hits" format of WSBG was shut down. The "Lite 107" adult contemporary format of sister station 107.1 WWYY moved to 93.5. WWYY then became known as "The Bone", offering a Hard Rock based Classic rock format. Nassau veterans Chuck Seese and Joann George are currently the Morning team on WSBG. Harper handles the mid-day show. Station PD Rod Bauman mans the afternoon slot from 3-7pm.

On October 14, 2009, WSBG relaunched itself as "935 SBG, The Pocono's Best Variety" at 2PM. This format consists of newer hits from today along with hotter songs from the 1990s.

Gary Smith controversy

On April 11, 2007 Gary Smith, host of the "Gary In The Morning" show, was fired for a "joke" that he did on the previous Monday's show. Listeners were to call in with "The Phrase That Pays" to win a prize. That phrase was "I'm A Nappy Headed Ho" (in reference to the remarks made by Don Imus on his nationally syndicated radio show).

According to a press release issued by the station, Smith “used the phrase with full knowledge of the reaction to Don Imus’ use of exactly the same phrase just a day earlier, which is the reason he was terminated and not suspended.”

On April 17th 2007, Smith took part in a telephone interview with Howard Stern on "The Howard Stern Show". After Gary gave his account of the incident, Howard urged Nassau Broadcasting to reinstate Smith's job immediately. But Nassau was already planning a move of 107.1 WWYY's format to 93.5, and planned to sign-on a new format on 107.1.

References

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