WLBC-FM
WLBC-FM is a commercial FM radio station in Muncie, Indiana. It is owned by Woof Boom Radio
and airs a hot adult contemporary radio format. The radio studios and transmitter are on East 29th Street in the Southside of Muncie.
WLBC-FM has an effective radiated power of 41,000 watts. It broadcasts using HD Radio technology. The HD2 digital subchannel carries a simulcast of country music sister station WBKQ 96.7 FM. The HD3 signal carries a simulcast of The Life FM, a Christian radio service. The HD4 signal carries a simulcast of 89.1 WSPM, known as "Catholic Radio Indy". Those subchannels feed three FM translators.
History
In October 1947, WLBC-FM signed on the air. It was the FM counterpart to WLBC. WLBC was established in 1926 in the home of broadcasting pioneer Don Burton on South Jefferson Street in Muncie. Until the 1970s, the two stations mostly simulcast their programming. In 1953, a television station was added on Channel 49, WLBC-TV.In the 1970s WLBC-FM was one of the first Indiana FM stations with a Top 40 format competing with crosstown AM daytimer WERK. At first, WLBC-FM used an automated hit music package produced by Drake-Chenault Enterprises while WLBC aired traditional middle of [the road (music)|middle of the road] programming. Over time, live disc jockeys were added to WLBC-FM.
An early employee was Chris Schenkel, who later became a top ABC-TV sports broadcaster. Schenkel came to WLBC after working at WBAA as a premedical student at Purdue University. Morry Mannies was a sportscaster on WLBC-FM and sister station WXFN. He retired several years ago after calling Ball State University sports for many years.
On June 1, 2013, WLBC-FM was acquired by Woof Boom Radio, whose Eastern Indiana cluster included WERK 104.9 FM classic hits), WHBU 1240 AM, WXFN 1340 AM, WMXQ 93.5 FM and WBKQ 96.7 FM. Woof Boom Radio purchased the stations from Backyard Broadcasting for $4.45 million.