WDBS (Radio station : Durham, N.C.) (original) (raw)

WDBS was Duke University's campus radio station from 1950-1983. It initially broadcast on AM by carrier current, and in 1971, WDBS began broadcasting on FM 107.1 as a commercial, non-profit station. AM broadcasts ceased in the early 1970s. WDBS was sold in 1983 to repay debts the station owed Duke University.

From the description of WDBS collection, 1949-1983. (Duke University Library). WorldCat record id: 71153355

WDBS was Duke University's campus radio station from 1950-1983. It initially broadcast on AM by carrier current, a system in which radio signals were fed into the university's electrical system. In 1971, WDBS began broadcasting on FM 107.1 as a commercial, non-profit station. AM broadcasts ceased in the early 1970s. WDBS was sold in 1983 to repay debts the station owed Duke University.

In 1947, three classmates from Rocky Mount, NC started a carrier current station called WCDC (for "We cover Duke campus".) They were persuaded to make their station an official university activity, and in 1950, WDBS began broadcasting from the basement of the Gray Building. In 1963, WDBS moved to the Bivins Building on East Campus.

In addition to music, the station presented campus news, national news, Duke athletics, and coverage of special events, including the 1968 Vigil after the death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the 1969 Allen Building takeover, and anti-Viet Nam War activities.

In 1971, WDBS purchased its FM license from Durham's WSRC. AM broadcasts continued for a time but ceased soon thereafter. Although owned by Duke, WDBS-FM operated independently as a commercial but non-profit entity. Initially run by students, by 1975 it was primarily staffed by professionals. The station was known for its extensive record collection, free form rock programming, and coverage of local events.

The purchase of the FM license, made possible by a long term loan from the university that was to be repaid from advertising revenue, put the station into debt from which it never recovered. Talk of selling the station's license, in order to pay back the debt to the university, began in the mid-to-late 70s.

In May 1978, WDBS agreed to sell its license to Village Broadcasting of Chapel Hill, pending approval from the Federal Communications Commission. Durham residents opposed to the sale petitioned the FCC to stop the license transfer. In October 1979, the Board of Directors of WDBS withdrew from the sale, citing the lack of approval from the FCC.

In 1980, the station moved from Bivins to Broad Street. In an attempt to increase listenership, WDBS changed its format from rock to classical during the day and jazz at night. In August 1982, WDBS agreed to sell to Classic Ventures, Ltd., pending approval by the FCC. The sale was approved in April 1983 and WDBS became an easy listening station. In 1984, it became WXFC.

There are some connections between WDBS and the later FM station, WXDU. In 1974, the unused AM carrier current system was revived as WDUR, playing Top-40, rock, and jazz. In 1977, WDUR became WDUK after a local commercial station petitioned the FCC for the call letters WDUR. In 1977, when the sale of WDBS was being considered, WDUK staffers proposed that students take over and operate WDBS. This proposal was eventually rejected. When WDBS moved off campus in 1980, WDUK moved into its former studios. In 1983, WDUK began broadcasting on FM as WXDU.

From the guide to the WDBS Collection, ., 1949 - 1983, (University Archives, Duke University)

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