WHGB Radio Station History and Evolution
The story of WHGB is a reflection of the ever-changing landscape of American broadcasting. From its humble beginnings as a low-power network affiliate to its modern role in sports and music, the station has navigated numerous identity shifts, call sign changes, and format pivots to serve the Harrisburg community.
Key Facts
- First Sign-on: May 28, 1945.
- Original Call Sign: WHGB.
- Initial Power: 250 watts.
- Major Affiliations: ABC, ESPN Radio, and CBS Sports Radio.
- Current Owner: Cumulus Media.
Early Years and the Top 40 Era
WHGB first entered the airwaves on May 28, 1945, owned by the Harrisburg Broadcasting Company. Operating at 250 watts, it served as an affiliate for ABC. The station maintained this identity until 1963, when it was rebranded as WFEC under the ownership of Florida East Coast Broadcasting. During this period, the station adopted a Top 40 format, focusing on the most popular hits of the day.
The late 1970s proved to be a volatile time for the station. By 1977, WFEC experimented with several different formats, including country music, disco, and urban contemporary, though none achieved lasting success.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]The "Fire 14" Period
In 1982, under the ownership of Great Scott Broadcasting, the station returned to the Top 40 format. It adopted the "Hot Hits" format created by Mike Joseph, which was gaining national popularity. While the station utilized the high-energy jingles and production style of Hot Hits and branded itself as Fire 14, it did so without direct consultation from Joseph.
Transition and Diverse Formats
By the final quarter of 1984, the station reverted to its original call sign, WHGB. Throughout much of the 1980s, it pivoted toward adult standards via Al Ham's "The Music of Your Life" format, while also providing significant local sports play-by-play coverage.
The 1990s brought further changes. On October 31, 1990, the station became WNNK ("Wink 1400"), acting as a sister station to 104.1 WNNK-FM. This lasted until August 27, 1993, when the call sign changed to WTCY. The station then adopted an Urban Adult Contemporary format branded as "1400 The Touch," utilizing a syndicated satellite service.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]The Return to WHGB and Sports Radio
On July 24, 2008, WTCY expanded its reach by simulcasting "The Touch" on the FM translator 95.3 W237DE. However, this was short-lived. On August 20, 2008, the station reclaimed the WHGB call letters and transitioned to sports radio as an ESPN Radio affiliate.
To maintain the Urban AC format, "The Touch" was moved to the HD2 subchannel of WNNK-FM, allowing the FM translator to continue the broadcast. By September 1, 2011, the translator switched back to simulcasting WHGB, effectively bringing ESPN Radio to the FM dial in Harrisburg and ending "The Touch" on that frequency.
Network Shifts and Nash Icon
The station's network affiliations continued to shift. On January 2, 2013, WHGB switched to CBS Sports Radio. A brief departure from sports occurred on March 2, 2015, when the station became "95.3 Nash Icon," a country format featuring artists from the 1980s, 90s, and early 2000s. This format lasted approximately one year before the station returned to CBS Sports Radio.
In August 2024, WHGB returned to its roots as an ESPN Radio affiliate, moving away from the Infinity Sports Network. Most recently, on July 23, 2026, Cumulus Media ended the simulcast of WHGB on 96.5 FM (W243BR) to introduce the HOT branding and format previously found on WWKL-FM.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Station Evolution Summary
| Period | Call Sign | Primary Format/Branding |
|---|---|---|
| 1945–1963 | WHGB | ABC Network Affiliate |
| 1963–1984 | WFEC | Top 40 / Various (Country, Disco) |
| 1982 (Era) | WFEC | Fire 14 (Hot Hits) |
| 1984–1990 | WHGB | Adult Standards / Local Sports |
| 1990–1993 | WNNK | Wink 1400 |
| 1993–2008 | WTCY | Urban Adult Contemporary (The Touch) |
| 2008–Present | WHGB | Sports Radio (ESPN/CBS) / Country (Nash Icon) |
Frequently Asked Questions
When did WHGB first start broadcasting?
WHGB first signed on the air on May 28, 1945, owned by the Harrisburg Broadcasting Company.
What was the "Fire 14" format?
Fire 14 was a Top 40 format adopted in 1982 that utilized Mike Joseph's "Hot Hits" style, characterized by high-energy jingles and production.
Has the station always been a sports station?
No. Over the decades, it has featured ABC network programming, Top 40, adult standards, Urban Adult Contemporary, and a brief stint as a country music station called Nash Icon.
Which sports networks has WHGB been affiliated with?
The station has been an affiliate of both ESPN Radio and CBS Sports Radio (and more recently the Infinity Sports Network).
What happened to the simulcast on 96.5 FM?
On July 23, 2026, Cumulus Media ended the WHGB simulcast on W243BR (96.5 FM) to air the HOT branding and format previously carried by WWKL-FM.