Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
WBCB has announced it is shifting its programming to a digital-first current events and sports format.
The Levittown-based community station, which broadcasts on 1490 AM and 107.3 FM, will focus more on current events and local sports.
Listeners began hearing the station’s new format of public affairs, politics, and sports Monday, drawing from news and opinion sites within the Fideri News Network, which covers the region from Harrisburg to the Jersey Shore.
The transition will continue over the coming weeks.
“We are evolving WBCB into a modern, multimedia platform capable of serving our audience however they choose to tune in,” said Terry Tracy, CEO of Fideri News Network and Broad + Liberty.
Additions to the station will include expanded high school sports broadcasts, live programming featuring local prominent names in sports, and segments revolving around the regional political landscape of Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
As the station is now focusing on shifting its format, WBCB listeners can also expect to see an upgrade to the station’s digital distribution. It will include enhanced streaming on mobile and on-demand platforms 24/7.
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As a result of the transition, shifts within WBCB’s programming have already been made.
Vice President of Fideri Sports Anthony Sanfilippo, who has been named the general manager of the station, is leading the transition.
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Sanfilippo explained what listeners can expect in the near future during this transition period.
“While WBCB remains a fabric of the community, we are transitioning to a digital-first entity,” Sanfilippo stated. “This shift allows us to expand our reach regionally into every community covered by the Fideri News Network. As part of this growth, several team members have been offered new roles within the company to better position the station for the future.”
Jim Foxwell, the host of “Foxwell in the Morning,” announced his retirement after 34 years at WBCB and 43 years in radio.
Upon Foxwell’s retirement last week, WBCB transitioned his morning show and that station’s regular music programming into sports and news segments.
Another change in WBCB’s schedule revolves around Pat Wandling and her “Speak Your Piece” program, which was the county’s longest-running talk show.
While “Speak Your Piece” ended its 68-year run last Friday, Wandling will remain with the network as a senior columnist contributor on the Bucks Independence website.
On her last show, Wandling spoke of her program’s long run.
Credit: WBCB/LiveStream
Wandling has worked at the station for decades. She first started as a news reporter before eventually transitioning to being the “Speak Your Piece” host.
“It has been a long run,” Wandling said on her program’s final edition. “You don’t have to cheer me up because I think we’ve done a good job here.”
Wandling also touched on politics, explaining that she’s enjoyed the calls from both conservative and liberal listeners alike over the years. However, Wandling also stated that she felt there was more civility within politics in past years.
Her final program also saw a call-in from former Republican Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Jim Cauley.
“‘Speak Your Piece’ has been a huge part of my life,” Cauley, a Levittown native, said.
Many listeners also recalled the long-running show’s history, recalling past hosts and visits from politicians.
“It was great two-way talk. I think it’s going to be missed,” Wandling said to listeners. “I have the gift of gab. This was a good little fit for me.”
The changes to WBCB come after paperwork was filed with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) last year to donate the station to Broad and Liberty.
Broad and Liberty, a Delaware County-based “digital media enterprise and public policy think tank,” is owned by Fideri News Network. Fideri News Network also includes the OnPattison sports site and various regional news sites.
Previously, WBCB was owned by Progressive Broadcasting Company, which was run by Republican power broker and businessman Pasquale T. “Pat” Deon Sr. and Philadelphia Eagles announcer Merrill Reese.
The station first signed on in 1957.
Listeners can expect WBCB to continue to broadcast over the air 24 hours a day, seven days a week, station officials said.
