Format/call-letter change in Indianola?

the golden boy · Jan 20, 2012

100000watts.com shows that there was a call-letter change in Indianola. Since I don't subscribe to the site, I went over to Radio-Locator.com and it shows that WNLA-FM changed calls to WIBT and adopted a CHR format. However, the info Radio-Locator has links it to a CHR station in Charlotte, which formerly had the WIBT calls. The FCC's website show that the new calls went into effect on 1/16. What's the real story?

Kent · Jan 21, 2012

It likely switched to the WIBT calls, but Radio-Locator probably still has the Charlotte station's format info. It may or may not be the same as what you're seeing, though some version of CHR or urban would be a logical assumption with calls like WIBT. Then again, I always thought those would be good calls on a "Froggy" country station!

tomservo · Jan 21, 2012

Beyond what is automatically updated from FCC info, you can't trust what is on Radio-Dislocator. It has fallen by the wayside and hasn't been updated in years.

the golden boy · Jan 21, 2012

Can't disagree about Radio Locator. I once emailed them about WYMX changing formats and they went months before changing it.

Calls for WIBT could suggest it being an urban, rhythmic or CHR format called the Beat. That's what the Charlotte station was known as before changing to Channel 96.1.

lfuss · Jan 23, 2012

The new format will be all-polka.

LF

tomservo · Jan 24, 2012

lfuss said:
The new format will be all-polka.

LF

Hey, you stole my gag!

In all seriousness, I've always thought that, given the opportunity, I would totally do all polka as a stunt. But then I recall my entire polka collection (what, you didn't think I had a collection?) and quickly realize the entire genre can be crossed from A to Z in under two hours.

mikl73 · Jan 25, 2012

He teases but the call letters sure would make a good pair up with a name like "The Beat"

the golden boy · Jan 28, 2012

According to another rather unreliable but still useful website (Wikipedia), WIBT still has its urban AC format under the moniker "The Best 105.5".

lfuss · Feb 4, 2012

the golden boy said:
According to another rather unreliable but still useful website (Wikipedia), WIBT still has its urban AC format under the moniker "The Best 105.5".

It never was "The Best", it's "The Beat".
The new format was officially launced at 12:01 am on February 4. It's straight-ahead urban. Still lots of stuff to be done, but Rome wasn't built in a day.

LF

mikl73 · Feb 6, 2012

There's competition in the Delta.

WIBT will be going head to head with WBAD and WCLD nice.

the golden boy · Feb 6, 2012

And 106.3 Greenwood too.

mikl73 · Feb 7, 2012

I forget about WGNG. Do they ever air ads? I am rarely in range of 106.3 but have to this date I never heard a commercial when I have been.

the golden boy · Feb 7, 2012

I might've heard a couple. I'm guessing that WGNL is subsidizing them. Otherwise, they couldn't survive being on the air.

nuffsaid · Feb 10, 2012

Head to head with these two stations is not a huge problem to over come. WBAD has not made any changes in years and honest feel that a well programmed station will wipe the clock. This station has a HUGE coverage area in a market (s) that are very heavily urban.