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| WHBQ (AM) | |
|---|---|
| Name | WHBQ (AM) |
| City | Memphis, Tennessee |
| Branding | WHBQ 560 |
| Frequency | 560 kHz |
| Format | Talk radio |
| Facility id | 23935 |
| Owner | Flinn Broadcasting Corporation |
| Sister stations | WMC (AM), KQPN, WMPS |
WHBQ (AM) is a commercial AM radio station licensed to Memphis, Tennessee that broadcasts on 560 kHz with a talk radio format. The station has served Shelby County, Tennessee and the Memphis metropolitan area for decades, competing in the same market as stations in Nashville, Tennessee, Jackson, Mississippi, and Little Rock, Arkansas. WHBQ has been associated with prominent personalities, network affiliations, and community events linked to entities such as the National Association of Broadcasters, the Broadcasting Board of Governors, and regional sports franchises.
WHBQ began operations in the early 20th century amid the expansion of commercial broadcasting that included networks like the National Broadcasting Company and the Columbia Broadcasting System. Over time the station interacted with corporate entities such as the Radio Corporation of America and later with media groups including the ABC, Inc. family and independent owners like Flinn Broadcasting Corporation. WHBQ's timeline intersects with major broadcasting milestones like the Communications Act of 1934 and the rise of syndicated programming distributed by companies such as Westwood One and Premiere Networks. The station's studios and transmitter have been affected by local infrastructure projects involving the Mississippi River corridor and municipal planning by City of Memphis authorities. Key on-air talent and management figures have moved between WHBQ and outlets in Chicago, Illinois, New York City, and Los Angeles, reflecting industry patterns tied to organizations like the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and the Academy of Country Music.
WHBQ's schedule has featured a mix of local shows, syndicated talk, and news programming provided by networks including the Associated Press and the FOX News Radio network. Past and present hosts have political, sports, and entertainment credentials tied to institutions such as the University of Memphis, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and regional theaters like the Orpheum Theatre (Memphis). Syndicated segments draw from distributors like Cumulus Media Networks and content partners such as the Salem Radio Network. The station has aired programs connected to national figures and organizations including Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and broadcast events associated with the National Football League and the National Basketball Association. Music-oriented specials have linked WHBQ to the musical heritage of Sun Studio, the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, and artists represented by labels like Sun Records and Stax Records.
WHBQ has carried sports programming and maintained affiliations with professional and collegiate franchises such as the Memphis Grizzlies, the University of Memphis Tigers football, and minor league teams connected to the American Hockey League. Coverage partnerships have involved networks like ESPN Radio, the Motor Racing Network, and the NASCAR Radio Network, as well as event organizers including the FedEx St. Jude Classic and high school athletics governance bodies linked to the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association. The station's sports content has bridged local broadcasters, play-by-play commentators formerly employed by networks like CBS Sports Radio, and talent with backgrounds at institutions such as Syracuse University and University of Alabama.
WHBQ operates on 560 kHz as a Class B AM facility regulated by the Federal Communications Commission with a facility ID allocated under federal licensing procedures similar to other stations listed in the AM broadcast band. The transmitter and antenna systems conform to engineering standards promulgated by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and use directional arrays to protect co-channel and adjacent-channel stations as coordinated through international agreements like those originating from the International Telecommunication Union. Studio-to-transmitter links have utilized technologies from firms such as Rohde & Schwarz and Harris Corporation. The station's signal contour covers urban and suburban grids influenced by topography in the Mississippi Delta and atmospheric phenomena studied by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Ownership has passed through individual proprietors and corporate entities, culminating in stewardship by Flinn Broadcasting Corporation, which manages multiple properties in the Mid-South. Corporate governance aligns with regulatory oversight from the Federal Trade Commission on transactions and compliance standards promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission when applicable. Executive leadership has included station managers and general managers who previously held roles at media conglomerates such as Clear Channel Communications and regional broadcasters associated with the Radio Television Digital News Association. Human resources and labor relations have intersected with unions like the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in technical operations and with talent organizations including SAG-AFTRA in on-air staffing.
WHBQ has engaged with civic institutions including St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the United Way of the Mid-South, and cultural organizations like the Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum. The station has promoted public-service campaigns in partnership with municipal entities such as the Memphis Police Department and public health initiatives coordinated with the Tennessee Department of Health. Its community outreach has tied into festivals and events produced by groups such as the Memphis in May International Festival and educational partnerships with the Memphis Public Libraries. Philanthropic and emergency-alert collaborations align WHBQ with state emergency systems and federal programs administered by agencies like the Federal Emergency Management Agency.