WRBS-FM

WRBS-FM (95.1 MHz "Shine FM") is a radio station in Baltimore, Maryland, serving the Baltimore metropolitan area. The station broadcasts a Contemporary Christian radio format and is owned by Peter & John Radio Fellowship, Inc.[1][2]

WRBS-FM
CityBaltimore, Maryland
Broadcast areaBaltimore metropolitan area
Frequency95.1 MHz (HD Radio)
Branding95.1 SHINE FM
SloganPositive Hits
Programming
FormatContemporary Christian music
Subchannels
Ownership
OwnerPeter & John Radio Fellowship, Inc
WRBS
History
First air date
June 30, 1960
Call sign meaning
W Reynolds Broadcasting System (original owner)
Technical information
Facility ID52353
ClassB
ERP50,000 watts
HAAT152 meters (499 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
39.256°N 76.674°W / 39.256; -76.674
Links
WebcastListen Live
Website951shinefm.com

WRBS-FM has an effective radiated power (ERP) of 50,000 watts, the maximum permitted for non-grandfathered FM stations in this region. Its studios and transmitter are co-located off Commerce Drive near Interstate 95 in Halethorpe, Maryland, using a Baltimore address.[3] WRBS-FM broadcasts using HD Radio technology. The HD2 digital subchannel carries an alternate Christian Contemporary format known as "Positive Hits." The HD3 subchannel rebroadcasts the Christian talk and teaching programs heard on co-owned WRBS 1230 AM.

History

Peter & John Fellowship

In 1948, three young ministers Peter and John Bisset, and Paul Plack, created "The Peter, Paul and John Broadcast" to reach non-church goers during the week on WFBR 1300 AM, then one of Baltimore's most popular radio stations. The Bisset's were the youngest of five brothers whose family had emigrated from Scotland. Paul Plack was a singer who had met the brothers during his evangelistic tours.

Paul left the broadcast in 1952 and the program was renamed "The Peter and John Broadcast." The brothers continued to host the show until Peter's sudden death of a heart attack in 1995.

WRBS Early Years

On June 30, 1960, the station first signed on the air.[4] It was owned by John B. Reynolds, who served as the general manager and commercial manager. The call sign WRBS was chosen to represent Reynolds Broadcasting Service.

At the time, it carried a classical music format, when few people owned FM receivers. It didn't have an FM suffix because Reynolds did not own an AM sister station. The FM station stood alone.

Christian Radio

In 1964, Peter & John Radio Fellowship acquired WRBS.[5] The brothers upgraded WRBS's facilities in 1972. The station increased power to 50,000 watts, from 20,000 watts. It began broadcasting 24 hours daily coupled with a move from East Cold Spring Lane in Baltimore to its present site at 3500 Commerce Drive.

In 2006, the Peter and John Radio Fellowship, Inc. acquired a Baltimore AM radio station, the former WITH 1230 AM and changed its call sign to WRBS. The FM station is now licensed under the call letters WRBS-FM, using the FM suffix to distinguish it from WRBS 1230 AM.

In August 2009, WRBS-FM was re-branded to feature Contemporary Christian music, and began calling itself 95.1 SHINE-FM.

References
  1. "WRBS-FM Facility Record". United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  2. "WRBS-FM Station Information Profile". Arbitron.
  3. Radio-Locator.com/WRBS-FM
  4. Broadcasting Yearbook 1961-1962 page B-78
  5. [https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1966/B-Section-Radio-All-BC-YB-1966.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1966 page B-69
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