Lone Star Pioneer Plays On With LBA

In 1974, WTAW (now KZNE) in Bryan – College Station, Texas – home of the Texas Aggies – was 50 years old, an original Texas radio station! For all its years, it had remained a single tower 1000 watt daytime station on 1150 kHz. That was, until owner Rodger (Bill) Watkins resolved to increase coverage [...]

Digital TV Conversion – Who Loses Who Gains?

The FCC has released two free map books showing in detail the impact of the digital conversion on every US TV station. Most stations come out winners, with 89% gaining net coverage, and 11% losing. Stations losing coverage area can regain it using several methods, according to the FCC. Options include changing channels or antenna [...]

W. R. (Bill) Roberson, Jr. – Crossing the Bar

Sunset over the Tar Pamlico

  A member of the Broadcast Pioneers, Bill Roberson was indeed a pioneering figure in North Carolina broadcasting. His roots ran first to AM radio WRRF in Washington, NC in 1942, and WRRZ, Clinton, in 1943. Then he founded the first Eastern North Carolina television station WITN, Channel 7 in 1955, followed by powerhouse WITN-FM! [...]