WLBC-FM is a FMradio station broadcasting on a frequency of 104.1 MHz and located in Muncie, Indiana. The WLBC call letters were originally used on its AM station at 1340kHz and also used as WLBC-TV Channel 49 before it became public television stationWIPB in the 1970s. Its current format is Hot A/C, featuring an adult blend of the 90s, and today. In the 1970s WLBC-FM was one of the first Indiana FM stations with a contemporary hit format competing with crosstown AM daytimerWERK which at first used the "Solid Gold" automated hit music package produced by Drake-Chenault Enterprises while WLBC-AM aired traditional middle of the road programming. WLBC-FM is owned by Woof Boom Radio whose Eastern Indiana cluster includes WERK 104.9 FM, WHBU 103.7 FM / 1240 AM, WXFN 1340 AM / 102.9 FM, WMXQ 93.5 FM and WBKQ 96.7 FM. The stations began operating as Woof Boom stations on June 1st, 2013. Woof Boom Radio purchased the stations from Backyard Broadcasting for $4.45 Million. WLBC-FM is led by Owner and President J Chapman, CFO Susan Rodricks and Jeff Chapman. Staff also includes: Steve Lindell who serves as Director of Operations, Sean Mattingly is the Director of Technical Operations, Chuck Lofton from WTHR-TV in Indianapolis, Sue Tschuor, Kim Morris, Brian Casey, and rookie Simon Hoying. WLBC-FM broadcasts in HD, with the HD-2 signal carrying a simulcast of sister station WMXQ under the "MAX 93-5: Maximum Classic Rock" branding, the HD-3 signal carrying simulcast of The Life FM, and the HD-4 signal carrying a simulcast of WSPM under the "Catholic Radio Indy" branding.
History
WLBC was established as an AM station in the home of broadcasting pioneer Don Burton on South Jefferson Street in Muncie. An early employee was Chris Schenkel, who was well known as an ABC-TV sports broadcaster. Schenkel came to WLBC after working at WBAA as a premedical student at Purdue University. Morry Mannies was a sportscaster on WLBC-FM and sister station WXFN. He retired several years ago after calling Ball State University ballgames for many years.
