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WGIV

U

urban

Can anyone tell me what type of urban format WGIV had when they were on 1600 AM? Was it well listened to before being shutdown? How did they do against the other urbans at the time?

Thanks
 
The original WGIV/1600 was shut down by CBS 3 to 4 years ago. On the same day, they activated their WFNX/1660, which simucasts their sportstalk WFNZ. Bottom line, there is really no use for the 1660 station at all, since WFNZ, the former Big WAYS on 610, has a very similar coverage area. Before it was shut down, WGIV/1600 was a black gospel station. It usually had between a 1 and 2 in the total Arbitron ratings, about the same as WFNZ. The crazy thing is, CBS could have continued to operate WGIV for another 5 years, according to FCC regs.

You probably know WGIV was the heritage R&B/Urban station in Charlotte, in operation since the late 40s. When FM became popular, particularly WPEG, in the 1980s, their audience started drifting away. They shifted to all gospel in the early 90s. Now, there is another black gospel AM, on 1370, which has taken the WGIV calls. I think they have movedfrom Gastonia to Pineville, just south of Charlotte.
 
I think for the most part you are right 610/1660 have similar coverage. From what I understand they do a little separate programming but not much. 1660 might do a little better in some spots since they are not directional.

It would be interesting to see if anyone here has a radio that tunes into the expanded band (1610-1700). Out of those that do have radios that tune up there, how many of you ever listen to a station between 1610-1700?

WGIV 1370 has a really good signal from what I have observed. Much louder and stronger than 1600 was.
 
The radio in my 2002 Nissan Xterra has expanded band. I don't listen to WFNZ/WFNA a lot, but when I get in the mood for sports talk, I choose 1660 over 610. I prefer ESPN on 1660 over the local stuff on 610. Although both signals become unlistenable at night here in Kannapolis.
 
Lots of ole radio memories on "GIV". I remember as a 7 year old going on a tour through WGIV. Chatty Hattie was there. Very nice lady. This was around 1961, so they were very popular then. Ray Baker was also a legend there! Fast forward to 1980. I recall Boo Baron there at that time. Another good radio memory from the Queen City.
 
This has probably been discussed at some point, but where is the old 1600 tower site and is it used for anything now? Were the original WGIV studios at the tower site?

Eric
 
The WGIV/1600 tx was close to the Brookshire Fwy in NW Charlotte. You can find a nice picture of the 4 towers on fybush.com---click on "site of the week achives", then NC, then Charlotte. You'll find pictures of various other Charlotte broadcast sites from 2003. I'm not certain, but I believe the WGIV studios were at the tower site at one time. Where is the WFNA tower? I thought it was at the former WGIV site, but I'm not sure.
 
fortmill said:
The WGIV/1600 tx was close to the Brookshire Fwy in NW Charlotte. You can find a nice picture of the 4 towers on fybush.com---click on "site of the week achives", then NC, then Charlotte. You'll find pictures of various other Charlotte broadcast sites from 2003. I'm not certain, but I believe the WGIV studios were at the tower site at one time. Where is the WFNA tower? I thought it was at the former WGIV site, but I'm not sure.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure that WFNA uses one of the towers which was part of the four tower array for WGIV on 1600. If you go by to see the site, lock your car doors and don't slow down. There are people standing on every street corner and I don't think they are waiting on the bus!

As to WGIV's success, it must have been doing really well in 1967. I just read a copy of Broadcasting Magazine from 1967 and it was announced that WGIV had been sold for $710,000. That would be like $4 million in 2007 dollars. Not bad for a high dial position AM with a severe nighttime directional. Of course, it should be mentioned that the station probably covered the market's urban population very well since it was more concentrated at that time than it is today.
 
hello i was lucky and worked at wgiv..late 50's early 60's..
first on air job, learned a lot from gene potts, chatty fleming, j.b. sanders, pete tomey, jimmy witter, jerry threat, our engineer, s.k. lineberger, and one of my favorite staff members thadius boneaprt...

wgiv format..every jock played his on music..from elvis to jimmy reid, and live gospel on sunday mornings
we had very short shifts..maybe 2 to 3 hours..but the talent may well return on another shift..
j.b. (joy boy) sanders and wa did i think the first 2 man afro & white morning shows in this area, all of this occouring during intergration in the charlotte area..and we where active with on air patter in favor of intergration..and no stones where thrown...

wgiv was #1 in the surveys of the time...conley, pluse and hooper we where number one by major figures in all three surveys and only a day timer...
pete toomey the ole (hound dawg) and afternoon talent, also great engineer..this man headed our wgiv news department..needless to say wgiv pulled down award's in news coverage..wbt...news people where a bit miffed that we could pull off the scoops..answering that question..we used police radios..

ramble, ramble..just feel blessed to have worked with the greatest!
 
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