The Big JAB

Last updated

WRED/WJJB-FM
WJJB963.png
  • see table in article
Broadcast areaWestern Maine
Frequency WRED: 1440 kHz
WJJB-FM: 96.3 MHz
Branding96.3 The Big JAB
SportsRadio WJAB
Programming
Format Sports
Affiliations Fox Sports Radio
SportsMap (updates)
CBS Sports Radio (Jim Rome)
Premiere Networks (Dan Patrick)
Boston Celtics
Boston Red Sox
Maine Celtics
Ownership
Owner Atlantic Coast Radio
WLOB, WPEI, WPPI
History
First air date
WRED: November 8, 1959
WJJB: November 15, 1975 [1]
Former call signs
see table in article
Call sign meaning
WRED: The color red (call letters previously assigned to WPEI when it aired a rhythmic top 40 format)
WJJB: similar to WJAB
Technical information
Facility ID see table in article
Class see table in article
Power see table in article
ERP see table in article
HAAT see table in article
Transmitter coordinates
see table in article
Translator(s) 92.5 W223BH (Portland, relays WRED)
Links
Webcast Listen Live
Website thebigjab.com

The Big JAB is the name of two sports radio stations in western and southern Maine, owned by Atlantic Coast Radio. It is heard on WRED (1440 AM, licensed to Westbrook) and WJJB-FM (96.3 FM, licensed to Gray). The stations air local sports talk hosts Monday through Friday. Fox Sports Radio provides programming nights and weekends. In July 2017 Atlantic Coast Radio purchased a 250-watt translator at 92.5 MHz from Augusta, Maine-based Light of Life Ministries to further augment its Portland-area FM signal. [2]

Contents

Studios and offices are located on 779 Warren Avenue in Portland, Maine. The AM transmitter is off Juniper Lane in Westbrook. [3] The FM transmitter is near King Hill Road in South Paris, Maine. [4]

History

1440 history

The 1440 frequency first went on the air November 8, 1959, as WJAB. [5] At first it was a daytime only station playing top 40 music, giving major competition to cross-town top 40 leader WLOB. WJAB quickly became the top rated top 40 station in Portland, a position it held until 1965, when a resurgent WLOB, after having obtained night power, retook the top spot. [6] In 1974, WJAB launched an FM simulcast on 106.3 WJBQ-FM, to allow listeners with FM radios to hear the station around the clock. [6] The WJBQ call sign was eventually added to the AM station as well. [7] In 1980, WJBQ-FM relocated to 97.9 in a frequency swap with classical music station WDCS, a predecessor to WBACH. (106.3 is now occupied by WHXR.)

In the intervening years, the AM station would attempt several formats, including all-news (as WMER), a simulcast of what had become WWGT-FM (as WWGT), and an affiliation with the hard rock/heavy metal Z Rock Network (as WLPZ). [7] In the mid-1990s, the station settled on its current sports format; initially retaining the WLPZ call letters. [7] It became WJAE in 1997 in an attempt to restore the WJAB identity to the station. (The station could not reclaim the original call sign because it was now being used by a station in Alabama.) [8] [9] Then-owners Bob Fuller and J. J. Jeffrey had previously worked at WJAB during the 1960s. [6] Jeffrey retained WJAE by way of Atlantic Coast Radio upon the sale of Fuller-Jeffrey's FM stations to Citadel Broadcasting in 1999. [10]

96.3 history

The 96.3 frequency debuted in 1975 as WRUM-FM, call letters derived from its former city of license, Rumford. In 1981, the call letters were changed to WWMR, and by 1983 the format was a high-energy top 40/AOR hybrid with live DJs and the branding "96 WMR". Additionally, the station's power was boosted significantly, giving it wider coverage in Central Maine. In 1987, WWMR-FM was sold to Carter Broadcasting, [11] and the station adopted a religious format. [7] Carter eventually consolidated the operations of WWMR with that of sister station 1310 WLOB, and in 1997 the call sign was changed to WLOB-FM. [12] After WLOB and WLOB-FM were sold to Atlantic Coast Radio in 2000, the religious programming was discontinued in favor of a news-talk format. In 2006, WLOB-FM relocated its transmitter from western Maine to South Paris to provide a clearer signal to the Portland media market. Following the transmitter move, in 2008 WLOB-FM changed its city of license from Rumford to Gray. On August 25, 2008, WLOB-FM converted from the WLOB simulcast to an all-sports simulcast of The Big JAB.

From 1999 [13] to 2008, the Big JAB's programming was also heard on WJJB (900 AM), licensed to Brunswick. In 2008, that frequency became WWBK and the WJJB call sign subsequently moved to 1440. [14] AM 900 was sold to Bob Bittner (owner of WJIB and WJTO) for $27,000. [15]

Additionally, from 2000 [16] to 2008, The Big JAB's FM frequency was on 95.5. Initially, the station continued to broadcast under its previous WCLZ call letters. [17] On September 1, 2008, 95.5 began airing programming from Boston sports station WEEI in a simulcast with 95.9 WPEI; [18] it eventually changed its call sign from WJJB-FM to WGEI, and is now WPPI. [19]

Stations

Callsign Frequency City of license Power/ERP Class HAAT Facility ID Former Callsigns Transmitter Coordinates
WRED1440 kHz Westbrook, Maine 5,000 watts B 3140
  • WJAB (1959-1974)
  • WJBQ (1974-1981)
  • WMER (1981-1986)
  • WWGT (1986-1990)
  • WLPZ (1990-1997)
  • WJAE (1997-2008)
  • WJJB (2008)
 43°40′50.29″N70°22′45.18″W / 43.6806361°N 70.3792167°W / 43.6806361; -70.3792167 (WRED)
WJJB-FM96.3 MHz Gray, Maine 40,000 watts C1430 meters (1,410 ft) 9180
  • WRUM-FM (1975-1981)
  • WWMR (1981-1983)
  • WWMR-FM (1983-1997)
  • WLOB-FM (1997-2008)
 44°15′3.3″N70°25′14.2″W / 44.250917°N 70.420611°W / 44.250917; -70.420611 (WJJB-FM)
Broadcast translator for WRED
Call sign Frequency City of license FID ERP (W) HAAT Class Transmitter coordinatesFCC info
W223BH92.5 FM Portland, Maine 14540717557  m (187  ft)D 43°39′17.2″N70°15′49.1″W / 43.654778°N 70.263639°W / 43.654778; -70.263639 (W223BH) LMS

Programming

Former hosts/shows

Co-owned stations

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WPEI</span> Radio station in Saco, Maine

WPEI is a WEEI Sports Radio Network station serving the Portland, Maine, area. The station is owned by Atlantic Coast Radio.

WLOB is a commercial radio station licensed to Portland, Maine. The station is owned by Atlantic Coast Radio and airs a Talk radio format. The studios and transmitter are on Warren Avenue in Portland. WLOB transmits with 5,000 watts using a directional antenna to protect other stations on its frequency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WCLZ</span> Radio station in North Yarmouth, Maine

WCLZ is a radio station licensed to North Yarmouth, Maine with studios located in Portland, Maine. Since 2001 WCLZ has been broadcasting an adult album alternative format. It is under ownership of Saga Communications.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WHTP-FM</span> Radio station in Kennebunkport, Maine

WHTP-FM is an American radio station licensed to serve the community of Kennebunkport, Maine, serving York County and southern Cumberland County, Maine. Its signal is broadcast from the same location. Established in 1994, WHTP-FM is owned by Mainestream Media. The station broadcasts a rhythmic top 40 format.

WXTP is a Catholic talk radio station licensed to North Windham, Maine, serving the Portland area from studios in Freeport. The station is an affiliate of Relevant Radio and is owned by Relevant Radio, Inc.

WJBQ is a commercial radio station in Portland, Maine. It is owned by Townsquare Media and it airs a Top 40 (CHR) format. The studios and offices are at One City Center in Downtown Portland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WBFB</span> Radio station in Bangor, Maine

WBFB is a commercial FM radio station in Bangor, Maine. The station is owned by Blueberry Broadcasting and airs a country music radio format, simulcast on sister stations WBFE in Bar Harbor and WMCM in Rockland.

Atlantic Coast Radio, LLC is a radio company located in the state of Maine, owned by longtime broadcaster J. J. Jeffrey. It was incorporated in 1982 and has a staff count of approximately twenty. Prior to the current radio group, Jeffrey was a partner in Fuller-Jeffrey Broadcasting with Bob Fuller. Fuller-Jeffery's portfolio included WBLM and WOKQ but the company was dissolved in 1997 when Citadel Broadcasting bought the group. Its studios are located at 779 Warren Ave. in Portland, Maine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WPKQ</span> Radio station in North Conway, New Hampshire

WPKQ is a commercial radio station licensed to North Conway, New Hampshire. It is owned by Townsquare Media and simulcasts the alternative rock format of 94.3 WCYY from the Portland, Maine, area. It is an affiliate of the New England Patriots Radio Network. WPKQ shares its main studio with WCYY at One City Center in Portland, Maine, with its sales office and auxiliary studio located in North Conway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WPKX</span> Radio station in New Hampshire, United States

WPKX is a commercial AM radio station licensed to Rochester, New Hampshire, that broadcasts a sports radio format, largely supplied from Fox Sports Radio. The station is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. and serves the Portsmouth-Dover-Rochester media market, also heard in Southern Maine. WPKX broadcasts at 5000 watts around the clock from a transmitter off Route 108 in Rochester. To protect other stations on 930 kHz, WPKX uses a directional antenna at night.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WBAK</span> Radio station in Belfast, Maine

WBAK is a commercial FM radio station licensed to Belfast, Maine. It is owned by Blueberry Broadcasting, and broadcasts a classic hits radio format. Its programming is also simulcast on WBKA in Bar Harbor, as well as WABK-FM in Gardiner.

J.J. Jeffrey is an American radio executive and a former prominent Top 40 disc jockey. His work aired on United States' rock-and-roll stations during the 1960s and 1970s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WVEI-FM</span> Radio station in Westerly, Rhode Island

WVEI-FM is a radio station broadcasting a sports radio format, largely simulcasting Boston-based WEEI-FM. The station is licensed to Westerly, Rhode Island, United States, and is owned by Audacy, Inc. In addition to WEEI programming, WVEI-FM carries Providence Friars men's basketball, Boston Bruins hockey, and ESPN Radio. Its transmitter is in Exeter, Rhode Island; due to it being mostly a simulcast, its operations are run out of WEEI-FM's studios in Boston's Brighton neighborhood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WTOS (AM)</span> Radio station in Bangor, Maine

WTOS is a commercial AM radio station licensed to Bangor, Maine, United States. The station is owned by Blueberry Broadcasting. WTOS broadcasts a mainstream rock format, simulcast with WTOS-FM in Skowhegan and WTUX in Gouldsboro.

WLVP is a radio station broadcasting an adult standards and oldies format. Licensed to Gorham, Maine, United States, it serves southern Maine, including Portland. Established in 1980 as WDCI, the station is owned by Robert Bittner through licensee Blue Jey Broadcasting Co..

WLAM is a radio station broadcasting an adult standards and oldies format. Licensed to Lewiston, Maine, United States, the station serves the Lewiston-Auburn area. Established in 1947, the station is owned by Robert Bittner through licensee Blue Jey Broadcasting Co. Its 5,000-watt signal can be heard at day throughout most of Southern Maine and portions of New Hampshire and Massachusetts, and at night throughout most of New England and portions of New York and Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WPPI</span> Radio station in Topsham, Maine

WPPI is a sports radio station in the Portland, Maine, area. The station is owned by Atlantic Coast Radio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WEEY</span> Radio station in Swanzey, New Hampshire

WEEY is a radio station licensed to serve Swanzey, New Hampshire. The station is owned by Great Eastern Radio, LLC and serves as the Keene affiliate for WEEI-FM.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WCME</span> Radio station in Brunswick, Maine

WCME is a commercial AM radio station licensed to Brunswick, Maine, and serving Maine's Mid Coast; on-air, the station is currently known as "Radio Midcoast WCME 99-5 FM & 900 AM". Established in 1955, the station is owned by veteran radio news anchor and talk host Jim Bleikamp, and programs a locally-oriented, full-service oldies/soft rock radio format emphasizing news and local events. WCME's studios are in the Fort Andross complex in Brunswick. WCME's transmitter is located along U.S. Route 1 near Durham Road in Brunswick.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WNNW</span> Radio station in Massachusetts, United States

WNNW is a commercial radio station licensed to Lawrence, Massachusetts, United States. Established in 1947 as WCCM, the station is owned by Costa-Eagle Radio Ventures, LP, a partnership between Pat Costa and the Lawrence Eagle-Tribune newspaper. WNNW airs a Spanish-language tropical music format.

References

  1. ↑ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1999 (PDF). 1999. p. D-201. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  2. ↑ Deal Digest - July 6, 2017 Inside Radio, July 6, 2017
  3. ↑ "WRED-AM Radio Station Coverage Map".
  4. ↑ "WJJB-FM Radio Station Coverage Map".
  5. ↑ Broadcasting Yearbook 1977 page C-94
  6. 1 2 3 Gilley, Chad (October 27, 2003). "In the Late 1960s WLOB Ruled Portland's Air". GilleyMedia. Retrieved January 3, 2010.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Fybush, Scott. "Maine Radio History, 1971–1996". Archives @ BostonRadio.org. Retrieved January 3, 2010.
  8. ↑ Fybush, Scott (February 28, 1997). "The Big Get Bigger". North East RadioWatch. Retrieved January 3, 2010.
  9. ↑ Fybush, Scott (March 5, 1997). "Praise, Pirates, and More". North East RadioWatch. Retrieved January 3, 2010.
  10. ↑ Fybush, Scott (June 4, 1999). "The End of CBL Is Near". North East RadioWatch. Retrieved January 3, 2010.
  11. ↑ "Application Search Details". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission . Retrieved January 3, 2010.
  12. ↑ Fybush, Scott (November 26, 1997). "WILD -- Still Waiting". North East RadioWatch. Retrieved January 3, 2010.
  13. ↑ Fybush, Scott (February 6, 1999). "WKOX, WLLH Sold". North East RadioWatch. Retrieved August 28, 2008.
  14. ↑ "Call Sign History (WRED)". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved January 23, 2008.
  15. ↑ Fybush, Scott (April 28, 2008). "Philly Loses "Big Ron"". NorthEast Radio Watch. Retrieved August 28, 2008.
  16. ↑ Fybush, Scott (October 2, 2000). "Spinning the Dial in Connecticut". North East RadioWatch. Retrieved September 11, 2008.
  17. ↑ Fybush, Scott (September 3, 2001). "Labor Day Update". North East RadioWatch. Retrieved September 11, 2008.
  18. ↑ Routhier, Ray (August 19, 2008). "WEEI to air in Maine Sept. 1". Portland Press Herald . Archived from the original on August 26, 2008. Retrieved August 19, 2008.
  19. ↑ "Call Sign History (WLOB-FM)". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved September 13, 2008.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.