1110 New Format

LamptimerFan · 2026-06-07T15:22:58-0400

Mediafrog+ said:
It could be an “All disasters all the time” format.

With the way things are these days I don't think they'd have any trouble filling programming blocks for that...

Josh Owens · 2026-06-07T17:32:10-0400

caudleweather said:
It's been almost five months now that 1110 AM has been stuck in a loop of instrumental music and announcements sending listeners over to 107.9 FM. A historic, 104-year-old, 50,000-watt signal just discarded like trash. Even the land under its three iconic Blaw-Knox towers is up for sale.

I don’t blame local management. It’s sad, but they honestly don’t know what’s going to happen with 1110 AM, or at least that’s what they tell me, and they’ve done the best they could with the hand they were dealt.

I’ve been trying to get the ball rolling on having the transmitter site designated as a historic landmark so it can’t be redeveloped. Someone may have already beaten me to the punch. I’ve been told a ruling is pending, but I haven’t been able to confirm that. If anyone wants to help with that effort, please reach out. We need to do what we can to save this piece of broadcasting history before it’s gone.

Just saw this and I totally agree. It's a sad day/time in radio, for sure.

Josh Owens · 2026-06-07T17:34:03-0400

IM42A said:
So what happened to that new format they were promising?

They broke them, the format and promise.

Josh Owens · 2026-06-07T17:35:34-0400

ncradioeng said:
WBT is an EAS PEP station. That may have something to do with it staying on.

Possible, but still an EAS station? Makes sense that they'd be one, but...

IM42A · 2026-06-07T18:25:00-0400

Josh Owens said:
They broke them, the format and promise.

In all fairness, it had to have been something outside their control. I'm guessing that they had a format all lined up, but then something fell through.

caudleweather · 2026-06-07T20:10:47-0400

Just to clarify, when I said "so it can't be redeveloped," that probably wasn't the best choice of words. I'm not trying to stop anyone from selling the property or doing what they want with it. I'd just like to see if there's a way to preserve or recognize at least part of the site's history, whether that's the transmitter building, the Blaw-Knox towers, or even a historical marker. I think a site that's been part of North Carolina broadcasting since 1927 is worth making an effort to remember.

Josh Owens · 2026-06-07T20:59:31-0400

IM42A said:
In all fairness, it had to have been something outside their control. I'm guessing that they had a format all lined up, but then something fell through.

Roger on that, we can hope so.

KilowattKat · 2026-06-07T22:12:50-0400

caudleweather said:
I’ve been trying to get the ball rolling on having the transmitter site designated as a historic landmark so it can’t be redeveloped. Someone may have already beaten me to the punch. I’ve been told a ruling is pending, but I haven’t been able to confirm that. If anyone wants to help with that effort, please reach out. We need to do what we can to save this piece of broadcasting history before it’s gone.

I know of at least two transmitter sites that have a historical designation. WSM in Nashville, and the KPH marine radio station.

KPH (radio station) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

To point out the differences between these two and WBT:

WSM still has on air value as the radio voice of the Grand Ole Opry,

KPH is already located on a national seashore reserve. It's preservation was made possible through a non profit organization.