City Savannah, Georgia Branding News-Talk 630 WBMQ First air date 1939 (as WSAV at 1340) | Broadcast area Savannah and Vicinity Frequency 630 kHz Format News/Talk | |
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WBMQ is a news/talk formatted radio station located in Savannah, Georgia.
History
Originally known as WSAV, the station operated 250 watts full-time on 1340 kHz, then jumped to 5,000 watts day and night on 630 kHz (three-tower directional nighttime), when the NARBA agreement took effect. Later, due to relocation of the antenna system, the daytime power was reduced to 4,800 watts and the nighttime to 47 watts but without a directional antenna system. For a brief period in the 1950s, WSAV operated an FM station simulcasting WSAV from an antenna atop the middle of the three towers on Oatland Island. WSAV-TV (channel 3) was the second television station in Savannah.
The station was sold to Beasley Broadcasting in 1977 who changed the call letters to WKBX. The station from top-40 to religious in 1981 to country in 1983, before changing to WBMQ and playing oldies in 1985.
The station changed to talk in 1990.
WKBX and WSGF (now WIXV) moved to the WSAV radio transmitter site on Oatland Island in 1977.
The station is currently owned by Cumulus Broadcasting, which also owns WZAT, WIXV, WEAS-FM, and WJLG. All of the stations broadcast from studios on Television Circle in Savannah.