Broadcast area Berkshire County Class D Frequency 860 kHz Owner Gamma Broadcasting, LLC Slogan First For News | First air date December 24, 1956 Facility ID 4820 City of license Great Barrington Branding 860 AM/94.1 FM WSBS | |
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Translator(s) W231AK 94.1 Great Barrington Power 2,700 watts day
250 watts critical hours
4 watts night
(translator 250 watts) Format Talk radio, Adult contemporary music Area Berkshire County, Massachusetts | ||
WSBS (860 AM) is a radio station in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. It is owned by Gamma Broadcasting and has an Adult Contemporary music format, mixed with local news, talk, and AP news.
WSBS's programming is simulcast in stereo on the FM band via translator station W231AK, at 94.1 MHz. [1] Because AM 860 is a Canadian clear channel frequency, WSBS must reduce power at night to only 4 watts to avoid interfering with Class A station CJBC in Toronto. But the translator allows listeners to tune in around the clock, even if they live outside the limited nighttime coverage range.
In August 2013, Gamma Broadcasting reached a deal to sell its Berkshire County radio stations, including WSBS, to Reed Miami Holdings; the sale was canceled on December 30, 2013.
Technical information
WSBS transmits 2,700 watts daytime with a Marconi 1959 Series fed 1/4 wave tower. The primary transmitter is a Harris SX2.5, and a backup Gates 250GY. The nighttime transmitter is an LPB.