programming Information

STATION PROFILE

General Description:

1460 WBCU is Union County’s Radio Station. Being the only radio station in this Upstate South Carolina county of 30,000 residents is a responsibility WBCU takes seriously. WBCU provides a full-service community focused format that is heavy on local news, sports, weather, community events and local involvement. It’s a highly successful relationship that dates back 60 years to 1949 when WBCU went on the air. Broadcasting 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on 1460 AM and 103.5 FM, WBCU is Union County’s Radio Station.

Programming:

1460 WBCU’s format consists of heavy local news and information that is entirely focused on the residents of Union County. The emphasis is LOCAL. ABC News is heard at the top of every hour. Local news is heard throughout the day with expanded newscasts at 6:30, 7:30 and 8:35 a.m., 12:30, and 5:30 p.m. hosted by WBCU’s full-time local news department. We’re one of only a handful of small market radio news departments in South Carolina. The entire noon hour is devoted to local news and information. WBCU’s award-winning Midday Report is a listening tradition that dates back to 1949 and has several features which date back to the first broadcast of the station. The most listened to radio broadcast in America, Paul Harvey's News and Comment, was aired from the station's inception until Paul's death in 2009.  Now, WBCU airs the Mike Huckabee Report three times daily, along with detailed local weather information every thirty minutes. When severe weather threatens Union County, WBCU is the place local residents turn to. An in-studio color weather radar system and computerized Emergency Alert System equipment interrupts regular programming no matter when it happens. WBCU broadcasts continuous weather information when necessary. Sports is a big hit with local listeners. The entire football, baseball and basketball schedule of Union High School is broadcast live. University of South Carolina football and basketball and Clemson University football and basketball is featured along with Atlanta Braves baseball, which has been a cornerstone of WBCU sports programming since the Braves moved to Atlanta in the mid-1960s. Throughout the day, our announcers provide the latest information on local events and organizations with our community calendar.

Our Listeners:

1460 WBCU targets the 30 plus adult buying population, but as the community radio station, WBCU programming appeals to the masses. It works. WBCU continues to enjoy the highest share of any AM radio station that is heard in Union County, South Carolina. In fact, its ratings surpass most FM stations in the county. It’s a loyal and responsive audience that makes WBCU an integral part of the life of Union Countians.

Click for Arbitron listenership ratings for Union County

(note: PDF file...must have Adobe Reader installed)

Coverage:

1460 WBCU broadcasts at the regional AM channel of 1460 kilohertz with a full 1000 watts of power, day and night. It covers all of Union County and portions of the surrounding counties of Spartanburg, Newberry, Laurens, Cherokee, Chester and Fairfield.  WBCU maintains fully equipped studios at its transmitter site to broadcast when wide spread power outages occur in the community. It employs the latest solid state transmitting technology and signal processing equipment to broadcast the loudest and clearest AM signal possible. Backup facilities are also available to provide continuous service to the local community.  In February 2008, WBCU added an FM translator.  Officially W278BE, it simulcasts our AM signal on 103.5 FM.  It has strengthened our signal over most of Union County, especially at night, when the AM signal goes directional.

Click here for WBCU Coverage Map

Mail to chris@wbcuradio.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 09/02/2010