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| WPEG | |
|---|---|
| Name | WPEG |
| City | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| Area | Charlotte metropolitan area |
| Branding | Power 98 |
| Frequency | 97.9 MHz |
| Airdate | 1948 (as WGIV-FM) |
| Format | Urban contemporary |
| Erp | 100,000 watts |
| Haat | 363 meters |
| Class | C0 |
| Facility id | 12345 |
| Owner | Radio One (Urban One) |
| Sister stations | WBAV-FM, WBT (AM), WOSF, WFNZ |
WPEG is a commercial radio station broadcasting an urban contemporary format to the Charlotte, North Carolina market. The station is licensed in Charlotte and serves the Charlotte metropolitan area with music, talk, and community programming. Over its history the station has shifted formats and ownership, becoming a prominent outlet for African American audiences, local artists, and national urban culture.
WPEG traces its origins to an FM license in the late 1940s in Charlotte, with early incarnations tied to broadcasters and publishers operating in the Piedmont region. The station evolved through the era of postwar radio consolidation encountered by entities such as CBS Radio and ABC Radio Network, and later experienced the deregulation trends influenced by the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Ownership changes involved regional broadcasters and national chains, including transactions with companies comparable to Clear Channel Communications and groups resembling Radio One (now Urban One). Format shifts mirrored national patterns seen at stations like WBLS in New York City and KJLH in Los Angeles, moving from adult contemporary and soul programming to a dedicated urban contemporary presentation. Major market events—concert promotions, ratings sweeps tied to Arbitron measurement, and competition with stations similar to WGCI-FM—shaped the station's strategic direction.
The station's playlist emphasizes artists comparable to Beyoncé, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Cardi B, and SZA, while incorporating throwback selections in the vein of Prince, Lauryn Hill, James Brown, Aretha Franklin, and Marvin Gaye. Syndicated and local shows have included morning programs like those associated with personalities similar to The Breakfast Club (radio show), midday and afternoon segments featuring local DJs and mixshows, and weekend specials promoting urban gospel, classic soul, and emerging hip hop acts akin to performers promoted by outlets such as BET and MTV Jams. The station partners with concert promoters, venues analogous to Spectrum Center and PNC Music Pavilion, and community events resembling street festivals and college fairs to promote artist appearances and live broadcasts.
Operating on the FM band at 97.9 MHz, the station broadcasts with an effective radiated power comparable to other Class C0 facilities such as WUSN and KBKS-FM, enabling coverage across the Charlotte metropolitan area and surrounding counties. The transmitter site uses antennas and transmission systems from manufacturers in the broadcast industry like Rohde & Schwarz and Harris Corporation technologies, with signal monitoring and automation platforms similar to products from RCS (Radio Computing Services) and WideOrbit. The station has navigated technical transitions including the adoption of HD Radio technology pioneered by iBiquity and migration toward digital workflows integrating systems akin to AES67 audio-over-IP standards and studio-to-transmitter links used by major broadcasters.
The station engages in charitable initiatives, public service campaigns, and partnerships with organizations comparable to United Way, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, and local civil rights groups reminiscent of NAACP chapters. Annual events often include radiothons for causes similar to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, back-to-school drives coordinated with schools such as University of North Carolina at Charlotte and local school districts, and voter registration efforts inspired by national campaigns like those led by Rock the Vote. The outlet collaborates with music education programs, historically black colleges and universities like Johnson C. Smith University and regional arts organizations, providing internships and mentorships to aspiring broadcasters and producers.
On-air talent and alumni have gone on to roles at major media entities and entertainment brands such as Vibe (magazine), Essence (magazine), Sirius XM Radio, and television outlets similar to BET. Notable hosts and DJs have included personalities who later worked with nationally syndicated shows, record labels akin to Atlantic Records and Def Jam Recordings, and concert promotion firms resembling Live Nation. The station has been a launching pad for programmers, producers, and on-air talent who collaborated with artists like Usher, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, and regional stars, and who have been featured at industry conferences such as South by Southwest and NAB Show.
The station and its staff have received local and regional honors comparable to Marconi Radio Awards nominations, recognitions from municipal bodies such as city proclamations, and acknowledgments from music industry organizations like ASCAP and BMI for promotion of songwriting and performance. Community service awards from civic groups and citations from arts councils have highlighted the outlet's role in cultural promotion, public affairs, and charitable fundraising.
Category:Radio stations in North Carolina Category:Urban contemporary radio stations in the United States