WXBQ-FM

WXBQ-FM is a Country formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Bristol, Virginia, serving the Tri-Cities.^[2] WXBQ-FM is owned and operated by Bristol Broadcasting Company, Inc.^[3]

WXBQ-FM

Bristol, Virginia United States
Broadcast area	Tri-Cities
Frequency	96.9 FM MHz
Branding	96.9 WXBQ
Programming
Format	Country
Affiliations	Fox News Radio Motor Racing Network
Ownership
Owner	Bristol Broadcasting Company, Inc.
Sister stations	WAEZ, WEXX, WWTB, WFHG-FM, WLNQ, WNPC
History
First air date	December 25, 1946
Former call signs	WOPI-FM (1946–1972) WKYE-FM (1972–1975) WFHG-FM (1975–1978)
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority	FCC
Facility ID	6876
Class	C
ERP	75,000 watts
HAAT	683 meters (2,241 ft)
Transmitter coordinates	36°25′59.3″N 82°8′10.4″W
Links
Public license information	Public file LMS
Webcast	Listen live
Website	www.wxbq.com

History

WOPI-FM, sister to 1490 WOPI, signed on Christmas Day 1946 from atop Whitetop Mountain, a facility described at the time as "the largest frequency modulation station in the South".^[4] After 10 days using a temporary antenna, the station went on air with its regular 10 kW power on January 4, 1947.^[5] Building on Whitetop, Virginia's second-tallest mountain, meant bringing power lines six miles to the site and constructing a tower in high winds.^[5] When winter weather set in, as it did that February, staff were marooned atop the mountain.^[6] WOPI-FM simulcast most of WOPI's NBC and local output and had exclusive coverage of many sporting events.^[7]

In 1951, WOPI-FM moved off the mountain and to the AM transmitter tower off Old Abingdon Road in Bristol, Virginia.^[8][9] The temporary facility was replaced by a new site in 1954 on the edge of town.^[8] Along with WOPI AM, WOPI-FM was sold to W. A. Wilson in 1954, the Pioneer Broadcasting Company in 1959, and the Tri-Cities Broadcasting Company in 1965.^[8]

The station was sold twice to different radio partners. In 1972, the Highland Development Corporation of Bristol, owners of 1550 WKYE, acquired 96.9 and renamed it WKYE-FM. The station became WFHG-FM in 1975 upon acquisition by the Bristol Broadcasting Company and adopted its present WXBQ-FM call letters in 1978.^[8] The call letters were chosen randomly but to avoid confusion with the AM outlet; by this time, WXBQ-FM had already gone country.^[10]

Kenny Chesney credits WXBQ and its longtime program director Bill Hagy for helping start his career; Chesney attended nearby East Tennessee State University in Johnson City.^[11]