WBFH
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| City of license | Bloomfield Hills, Michigan |
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| Broadcast area | Detroit, Michigan |
| Branding | The Biff |
| Slogan | Where FM Begins |
| Frequency | 88.1 MHz |
| First air date | October 1, 1976 |
| Format | Variety; High school station |
| Power | 360 watts |
| Class | A |
| Callsign meaning | Bloomfield Hills |
| Owner | Bloomfield Hills Public Schools |
| Website | http://www.wbfh.fm/ |
WBFH, also known as The Biff, is a community radio station operating out of Bloomfield Hills Andover High School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. WBFH has been in operation since October 1, 1976, and runs at 360 watts (making it the most powerful high school station in the state) at 88.1 MHz on the FM dial. The signal is directional and can be heard throughout Pontiac, West Bloomfield, Auburn Hills and points north.
WBFH is licensed to the Bloomfield Hills School District and is an activity open to both Andover and Lahser High School Students. Becoming a staff member requires a pre-requisite class followed by an application upon which the station managers decide which students make the cut. WBFH is run by Pete Bowers, and has been since its inception. His support staff includes broadcast veterans Randy Carr as chief engineer and Ron Wittebols as special projects manager. WBFH follows a format they call "Best of the Old, Best of the New" which includes current mainstream CHR/Top 40 hits, oldies, and everything in between.
As of 2007, the WBFH staff has won more awards than any other high school radio organization in the State of Michigan. They were named the best station in the nation in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 at the John Drury High School Radio Awards.
WBFH has been named the top high school radio station in the state of Michigan by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters seven consecutive years from 2003 to 2008. They took second in 2009 but retook the title in 2010.
In addition, the Michigan Association of Educational Broadcasters named WBFH its high school station of the year in 1990, 1995, 2003 and 2006, the last year the award was given.[1]
The station, which is operated out of three studios, is well-known nationally for using top-of-the-line equipment unique to high-school radio stations. The equipment is regarded as professional grade and from time to time better than the average commercial station. They have sponsorship deals with companies like ENCO who provide them with the latest equipment at reduced cost.
In 1995, WBFH became the first high-school radio station in the state to broadcast 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including on school breaks, holidays, summer vacations, and weekends. This was made possible through the installation of new automation equipment.
WBFH streams audio over the internet via Live365.
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[edit] Successful alumni
WBFH has fostered many successful careers in radio and other media:
- Scott "The Gator" Anderson - Co-Host "Karsch & Anderson" on 97.1 WXYT-FM
- JoAnne Purtan - Consumer Reporter WXYZ-TV
- Heather Catallo - Investigative Reporter and Weekend Anchor WXYZ-TV
- Jackie Purtan - Morning Show Personality and Producer, 104.3 WOMC
- Jennifer Purtan - Vice President of Sales CBS Television, WWJ-TV & WKBD-TV
- Ric Blackwell - New Anchor, WPEC TV
- Rob Simpson - Rink-Side Reporter for Boston Bruins (NHL)
- Ryan "Jay" Fishman - Talk Personality, WSYR, New York
- Jason Horowitz - Sports Personality, CBS
- Guy Cacciarelli - Vice President of Content Distribution for Fuse/Madison Square Garden Networks, Former Senior Director of Sales MTV Networks
- Alex Rusciano - News Director 92.1 FM KRLS/1320 AM KNIA
- Arturo Santiago - News Anchor KCOY TV
[edit] Achievements
- John Drury High School Radio Awards
- 2010: 1st Place Best High School Radio Station
- 2009: 2nd Place, Best High School Radio Station
- 2008: 1st Place (tie w/WLTL), Best High School Radio Station
- 2007: 1st Place, Best High School Radio Station
- 2006: 1st Place, Best High School Radio Station
- 2005: 3rd Place, Best High School Radio Station
- Michigan Association of Broadcasters
- 2010: High School Station of the Year[1]
- 2008: High School Station of the Year
- 2007: High School Station of the Year
- 2006: High School Station of the Year
- 2005: High School Station of the Year
- 2004: High School Station of the Year (tie)
- 2003: High School Station of the Year
- Michigan Association of Educational Broadcasters
- 2006: Carl V. Jacobson Educational Broadcasting Achievement Award
- 2003: High School Station of the Year
- 1995: High School Station of the Year
- 1990: High School Station of the Year
The Biff has won many individual radio awards both locally and nationally. Many wins have been in large part due to individual successes of station staff members. In 2007 Wade Fink won five national awards including four first places and Corey Berkowitz won four. Ryan Fishman also won 5 national awards in 2005. Fishman also won a record setting 25 state and national awards over the course of his Biff tenure. Josh Loney won 21 state and national awards during his time at WBFH.
2009 Drury award winners include Ridwan Alam (News Feature 1st place, Newscast 2nd place), Ryan Bloom (Sportscast 2nd place), Josh Loney (News Reporter 2nd place, Sports Play-by-play 2nd place), Patrick Garretson (Radio Production 1st place and 3rd place). Chad Shepard was nominated for best Public Servdice Announcement. In 2010, The Biff won 28 total awards at the Michigan Association of Broadcasters as well as the Michigan Association of Educational Broadcasters awards. At the MAB's they won two more than all other stations in the state combined. Chad Shepard won 7 awards total(2 MAEB awards and 5 MAB awards including first place Sports Play-by-Play and Sports PSA). Josh Loney won 10 awards total (6 MAEB awards and 4 MAB awards including Best Talkshow, interview and on-air personality). Also winning awards were Kevin Furlong, Patrick Garretson, Josh Gordon, Ryan Bloom, Alex Scharg, Drake Deitch and Bobby Brandon.[2][3]
The Biff was nominated for 17 John Drury National Radio Awards 2010, in an attempt to reclaim first place in the nation. The winners were announced in November. WBFH retook the title as best station in the nation winning 9 awards total. Josh Loney won four awards out of eight nominations including a first place as Talk Show host (Public Affairs) and awards in Newscast (2nd place), Sportscast (3rd place with Bob Berman) and Promo (2nd place). Alex Scharg won two awards, taking first in Promo and Radio Drama Adaptation. Ryan Bloom won first in Sports Play-by-Play, Alex Osten took first in Newscast, Bob Berman took third in Sportscast alongside Josh Loney and Chad Shepard took second in Public Service Announcement. Loney filmed the Biff's trip to the 2010 awards in the short film "On the Road to Chicago". The trip was taken by Loney, Bobby Brandon, Pete Bowers and Randy Carr.[4]
[edit] Biffstock
Each spring the Biff holds an annual pledge drive featuring a concert and a 24 hour broadcast. This years drive is April 15, and 16th. Donors receive an on air announcement of their donations and Biff merchandise packages. The 2010 Biffstock concert lineup was Twentyforseven, Live the Dash, As Atlas Falls, Magic Firewater and Anemic Royalty. The 2010 fundraiser brought in over 1000% more ticket sales and nearly 400% more donations total for the station. [5]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Query the FCC's FM station database for WBFH
- Radio-Locator information on WBFH
- Query Arbitron's FM station database for WBFH
