WCPS

WCPS (760 AM) is a radio station broadcasting an Urban Gospel, Urban Oldies, Blues format. Licensed to Tarboro, North Carolina, United States, it serves the Tarboro and Rocky Mount area. The station is currently licensed to Trey and Associates, LLC.

For American school districts with that acronym, see Warren County Public Schools and Washington County Public Schools.
WCPS
Broadcast areaRocky Mount-Wilson
Frequency760 kHz
Programming
FormatUrban Gospel, Urban Oldies, Blues
Ownership
Owner
  • Reverend Thomas L. Walker
  • (Trey and Associates, LLC)
History
First air date
January 1947[1]
Call sign meaning
W Coastal Plains Station
Technical information
Facility ID14004
ClassD
Power1,000 watts day
Transmitter coordinates
35°55′40″N 77°34′15″W
Translator(s)(see below)
Links
Websitewww.wcpsradio.com

WCPS broadcasts only during the daytime, to avoid conflicting with WJR from Detroit, an AM clear channel station that broadcasts on the same frequency.

History

In 1946, Tarboro Broadcasting Company applied for station WTNC in Tarboro on 760 kHz. However, the FCC pulled back the application due to transmitter issues and WCPS was finally licensed on October 30, 1947 to Coastal Plains Broadcasting Company, Inc.[2]

In 1951, WCPS signed an affiliation agreement with the World Broadcasting System, which distributed music to radio stations on phonograph records.[3]

In 1968, WJR in Detroit complained that WCPS was interfering with its clear channel signal. Making this politically sensitive was that a sitting Congressman L.H. Fountain was a co-owner of the station. At the time, concerns were being raised if the FCC could properly regulate the media properties of then-President Lyndon Johnson.[4]

In July 1971 the FCC was informed of a change of control of the Corporation removing R. M. "Runt" Fountain, Sr.

In 1974, ownership of 50% of the corporation transferred to Robert L. Harper, the station's general manager.[5]

On July 4, 1975, the station (along with the FM station) burned to the ground.[5][6]

In 1985, then President and CEO Robert Harper received the Earl Gluck distinguished service award from the North Carolina association of broadcasters. In addition to his work at the radio station, he served as president of the local chamber of commerce, president of the local Little league, president of the United fund, president of the local People's Bank branch, and president of the local country club.[7]

FCC records in 1987-1988 were on paper. They show a transfer to Great American East, Inc in 1987 and another transfer to Coastal Plains Media, Inc. in 1988. The transfer in 1987 coincided with the retirement of Mr Harper.[5] In 1988, transfer was made to a similarly named Coastal Plains Media, Inc.

By 1999, when ownership reporting was computerized at the FCC, Coastal Plains Media was owned by Donald and Barbara Curtis. Mr. Curtis continues to very active in radio ownership is Eastern North Carolina through Curtis Media Group.

From April 2000 until 2019, the station was owned by Jimmy "JJ" Johnson as Johnson Broadcast Ventures, LTD.

On July 1, 2019, the FCC consented to the sale of the station for $250,000 to Reverend Thomas L. Walker, operating as Trey and Associates, LLC. $150,000 of the purchase price was covered by a promissory note.

Translator

In addition to the main station, WCPS is relayed by a translator to permit programming to continue after sunset.

Broadcast translator for WCPS
Call signFrequencyCity of licenseFIDERP (W)HAATClassTransmitter coordinatesFCC info
W242DG 96.3 FMTarboro, North Carolina20241512590 m (295 ft)D35º54'11"N, 77º46'56"WLMS

References
  1. "2010 Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook" (PDF). Americanradiohistory.com. p. D-412. Retrieved 2017-07-15.
  2. "WCPS History Card". FCC Media Bureau CDBS Public Access Database.
  3. "30 Years Ago". Rocky Mount Telegram. 16 August 1971.
  4. Meyer, Philip (27 September 1964). "Congressman Get No Special FCC Favors". Akron Beacon Journal. p. D-16.
  5. "WCPS carries on broadcasting tradition". Rocky Mount Telegram. 25 March 1988. p. 5B.
  6. "Fire Damages Radio Station". Danville (VA) Register. Associated Press. 6 July 1975. p. 10-B.
  7. "Harper Wins Award". Rocky Mount Telegram. 22 October 1985. p. 2.
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