WNBF-FM

WNBF-FM was an FM radio station in Binghamton, New York, that began broadcasting, as W49BN, in 1942. It was the first commercial FM station authorized in the Southern Tier region.[1] WNBF-FM suspended operations and was deleted in 1952.

For the station that used this call sign from 1956 to 1972, see WHWK.

History
1945 advertisement showcasing the WNBF-FM transmitter site.[2]
By 1950 WNBF-FM was generally a secondary outlet, primarily simulcasting WNBF (AM).[3]

On October 31, 1940, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) awarded the first fifteen commercial FM station construction permits, including an assignment on 44.9 MHz in Binghamton to the Howitt-Wood Radio Company,[4] which was issued the call sign W49BN.[5] In early 1941 ownership was transferred to the Wylie B. Jones Advertising Agency. W49BN began broadcasting in 1942.[6] Effective November 1, 1943, the FCC modified its policy for FM call signs,[7] and the call letters were changed to WNBF-FM.

On June 27, 1945 the FCC announced the reassignment of the FM band to 80 channels from 88–106 MHz, which was soon expanded to 100 channels from 88–108 MHz.[8][9] WNBF-FM was originally assigned to 96.3 MHz on the new band,[10] which was later changed to 100.5 MHz.[11] The FCC provided that, during a transitional period, stations could simultaneously broadcast on both their old and new frequencies.

WNBF-FM was the companion to AM station WNBF. WNBF-FM initially maintained a schedule separate from WNBF, including programming from the recently formed Continental Network.[12] However, to reduce expenses, in the mid-1940s it switched to primarily simulcasting the AM station. In 1950, Cecil D. Mastin, general manager of WNBF, WNBF-FM, and WNBF-TV, conducted a survey, soliciting listener letters to determine whether the money-losing operation of WNBF-FM should continue. The review found sufficient support, especially among listeners 25 to 50 miles (40 to 80 km) away, who had difficulty, especially at night, picking up the AM station. Mastin concluded that currently "Neither the number of sets nor the number of listeners is economically sufficient, but they are nevertheless substantial." Moreover, "The response to the survey shows me that we are not operating on barren ground but that FM is a young sapling worth cultivating", and "we realize that as more and better FM sets are made, our service is increased... So, perhaps the FM nag is getting out of the starting gate. Will she overcome her handicaps? Who knows! Anyway, we will continue to ride not one, not two, but all three-AM, FM, TV."[13]

However, the reprieve was short-lived, and the license for WNBF-FM was cancelled on August 11, 1952.[14] In 1955, Triangle Publications purchased WNBF, WNBF-TV, and the construction permit for a new WNBF-FM on 98.1 MHz, which began broadcasting in 1956.

References
  1. "Frequency Modulation (FM) Broadcasting Stations Authorized by the FCC" (Log completed to January 15, 1941), Broadcasting Yearbook (1941 edition), page 386.
  2. Radio Engineering Labs., Inc. advertisement (featuring WNBF-FM), Broadcasting, May 21, 1945, page 45.
  3. WNBF (advertisement), Binghamton Press, March 18, 1950, page 7.
  4. "New FM Call Letters Proposed", Broadcasting, November 15, 1940, page 77.
  5. The initial call sign policy for commercial FM stations included an initial "W" for stations east of the Mississippi River, followed by the last two digits of a station's assigned frequency, "49" in the case of 44.9 MHz, and closing with a one or two letter city identifier, which for Binghamton was "BN".
  6. "New York: Binghamton", Broadcasting Yearbook (1952 edition), page 198.
  7. "Standard Broadcast Station Call Letters for All Outlets Starting Nov. 1, FCC Rule", The Billboard, September 4, 1943, page 7.
  8. "FCC Allocates 88-106 mc Band to FM" by Bill Bailey, Broadcasting, July 2, 1945, pages 13-14.
  9. "FCC Allocations Order Text", Broadcasting, July 2, 1945, pages 64-68.
  10. "FCC Grants 456 FM Outlets Since War End", Broadcasting, July 22, 1946, page 67.
  11. "FM Broadcast Stations: Frequency Assignments" (June 12, 1947), Federal Register, Volume 12, Number 108, June 3, 1947, page 4040.
  12. "Station Arrangement in the Continental Network as of broadcasts for June 19, 1947", FM, July 1947, page 33.
  13. "WNBF Tests: Listeners Favor Continuance", Broadcasting, May 15, 1950, page 82.
  14. "FCC Actions: August 11 Decisions", Broadcasting, August 18, 1952, page 98.
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