WPHB

WPHB is a commercially licensed AM radio station, serving Philipsburg, Pennsylvania in Centre County. WPHB is licensed to 1260 kHz and operates at a daytime power of 5,000 watts and a nighttime power of 34 watts. The station is owned by Magnum Broadcasting and has a format of talk and classic country.

Beginnings

WPHB first went on the air June 1, 1956. The station was founded by Reverend William Emert, and for much of its early history, broadcast a religion-based format under the name Moshannon Valley Broadcasting, which it operated under for many years, though the owner principals would change over time. As AM stations were also issued FM licenses, WPHB began with an FM sister station, but this license would be forfeited and returned to the FCC by the end of the 1950s.

WPHB was acquired on July 16, 1982 by brothers C. Dean and Sheldon Sharpless, both of whom had worked for the station in varying capacities since its inception, but the corporate name was retained. Dean acted as the station's general manager, news director and engineer, while Sheldon served as promotions director, general sales manager and program director. Sheldon Sharpless had already been a part of WPHB's staff full-time for twenty years prior to the purchase. During this period WPHB offered religion-based programming in addition to country music.