WBTU
Encyclopedia
WBTU is an 18,500-watt FM radio station
licensed to Kendallville, Indiana
located in Fort Wayne, Indiana
. The station operates on the FM radio frequency of 93.3 MHz. WBTU is owned by Oasis Radio Group.
WBTU originally operated as WAWK-FM, a sister station to WAWK
AM in Kendallville, from 1964 to 1984. In June 1984, WAWK-FM was sold, renamed to WBTU-FM, and relocated to Fort Wayne.
WBTU is the oldest country station in the Fort Wayne market. Counting the station's WAWK lineage makes the station even older.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, WBTU used the moniker, Hot Country. In the mid-1990s, the moniker was changed to B93. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the station was known as Hoosier Country. In 2005, the station simply went by its call letters and frequency (93.3 FM). On May 25, 2007, WBTU changed its branding, becoming U.S. 93.3. A few weeks later, U.S. 93.3 went "commercial-free" but only continued to operate without playing commercials until December 31, 2007.
In 2000, Artistic Media Partners, Inc. bought WBTU and WSHY-FM from 62nd Street, Inc. WBTU and WSHY were moved to a studio inside the Bowen Center on Goshen Road in Fort Wayne.
In January 2007, Artistic Media Partners agreed to sell WBTU and WSHY to Russ Oasis for $3.8 million. Oasis owns HOT 107.9 (WJFX-FM)
, and 106.3 JOE FM in Fort Wayne, also.
On March 6, 2007, a local management agreement was enacted between Artistic Media and Russell Oasis for WBTU and WSHY (which was changed to WVBB, now WHPP).
, and other organizations. WBTU also served as the radio station sponsor for country night at the Meijer Event Tent during Fort Wayne's Three Rivers Festival
in 2006. Since the LMA took effect, however, U.S. 93.3 (WBTU) has dropped such charitable causes in favor of ones that are more publicity-friendly at fit their patriotic theme -- like claiming to support U.S. troops and "remembering" fallen local soldiers by erecting promotional billboards that feature the station's insignia and logo prominently displayed next to the hero's picture.
WBTU features a Pet of the Week segment in conjunction with Allen County Animal Care & Control on Monday mornings.
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
licensed to Kendallville, Indiana
Kendallville, Indiana
Kendallville is a city in Wayne Township, Noble County, Indiana, United States. The population was 9,862 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Kendallville is located at ....
located in Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne is a city in the US state of Indiana and the county seat of Allen County. The population was 253,691 at the 2010 Census making it the 74th largest city in the United States and the second largest in Indiana...
. The station operates on the FM radio frequency of 93.3 MHz. WBTU is owned by Oasis Radio Group.
WBTU originally operated as WAWK-FM, a sister station to WAWK
WAWK
WAWK is a radio station broadcasting a Classic Hits format. Licensed to Kendallville, Indiana, USA. The station is currently owned by Northeast Indiana Broadcasting. WAWK programming is simulcast on FM translator W238BH in Kendallville....
AM in Kendallville, from 1964 to 1984. In June 1984, WAWK-FM was sold, renamed to WBTU-FM, and relocated to Fort Wayne.
WBTU is the oldest country station in the Fort Wayne market. Counting the station's WAWK lineage makes the station even older.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, WBTU used the moniker, Hot Country. In the mid-1990s, the moniker was changed to B93. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the station was known as Hoosier Country. In 2005, the station simply went by its call letters and frequency (93.3 FM). On May 25, 2007, WBTU changed its branding, becoming U.S. 93.3. A few weeks later, U.S. 93.3 went "commercial-free" but only continued to operate without playing commercials until December 31, 2007.
In 2000, Artistic Media Partners, Inc. bought WBTU and WSHY-FM from 62nd Street, Inc. WBTU and WSHY were moved to a studio inside the Bowen Center on Goshen Road in Fort Wayne.
In January 2007, Artistic Media Partners agreed to sell WBTU and WSHY to Russ Oasis for $3.8 million. Oasis owns HOT 107.9 (WJFX-FM)
WJFX
WJFX is an FM radio station located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The station operates on the FM radio frequency of 107.9 MHz. They are a rhythmic CHR station that has been broadcasting for over a decade in the Fort Wayne area...
, and 106.3 JOE FM in Fort Wayne, also.
On March 6, 2007, a local management agreement was enacted between Artistic Media and Russell Oasis for WBTU and WSHY (which was changed to WVBB, now WHPP).
Community
In the past, WBTU had regularly helped St. Jude's Research Hospital, MDAMuscular Dystrophy Association
The Muscular Dystrophy Association is an American organization which combats muscular dystrophy and diseases of the nervous system and muscular system in general by funding research, providing medical and community services, and educating health professionals and the general public...
, and other organizations. WBTU also served as the radio station sponsor for country night at the Meijer Event Tent during Fort Wayne's Three Rivers Festival
Three Rivers Festival
The Three Rivers Festival is an annual festival held in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The festival's run spans nine days in mid-July, always starting on the first Saturday after Independence Day. It is a celebration of the heritage of Fort Wayne, established during the French and Indian War at the...
in 2006. Since the LMA took effect, however, U.S. 93.3 (WBTU) has dropped such charitable causes in favor of ones that are more publicity-friendly at fit their patriotic theme -- like claiming to support U.S. troops and "remembering" fallen local soldiers by erecting promotional billboards that feature the station's insignia and logo prominently displayed next to the hero's picture.
WBTU features a Pet of the Week segment in conjunction with Allen County Animal Care & Control on Monday mornings.
Notable alumni
- Dirk Rowley
- Jeanette Rinard
- Mitch Mahan
- Chevy Smith
- Dakota McCoy (Gran Roberts)
- Steve "Tiny Little" Michaels
- Kris "Coyote" Underwood
- Dave Collins (Joel Navarro)
- Stephanie Decker
- Scott Dugan
- Dale Christopher
- Jay Fergusion
- (Bill)Collins on the Radio
- Kenny Edwards
- Don Moore
- Gary Mack
- Mack and Moore in the morning
- Doug Montgomery