Levittown's WBCB Radio To Get New Owner

The WBCB studios in Bristol Township in 2020. Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com

A longtime staple of the Lower Bucks County airwaves is getting a new owner.

Broad and Liberty, a Delaware County-based “digital media enterprise and public policy think tank,” will receive the station as a donation, according to filings with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

The deal is pending FCC approval as of late last week.

Broad and Liberty operates a website featuring articles and conservative and libertarian-focused opinion pieces. Its website states it “advocates for political, cultural, and economic freedom in local and regional discourse.”

According to public records with the FCC, the station and Broad and Liberty entered a time share agreement.

Last year, Broad and Liberty formed a “strategic partnership” with the nonpartisan Politics PA website, a move that drew some criticism. Politics PA pledged the deal would not impact its nonpartisan coverage.

The current owner, Progressive Broadcasting Company, is owned by businessman and Republican power broker Pasquale T. “Pat” Deon Sr. and Philadelphia Eagles announcer Merrill Reese.

On Dec. 20, Progressive Broadcasting Company filed an application with the FCC to transfer ownership to B and L Media Ventures LLC, which is associated with Broad and Liberty, according to the filing.

A document filed with the FCC valued the station, which airs local sports, talk shows, and music programming, at $2.35 million.

WBCB, which broadcasts on AM 1490 and FM 107.3, has been a local fixture since 1957. Its studio is in the Levittown section of Bristol Township.

WBCB’s programming includes “Pro Football Report” with Reese, “Speak Your Piece” with Pat Wandling, “Upwords” with Chris Emer, “Jim Foxwell in the Morning,” and “Baseball Insiders Show” with Tommy Greene. The station also broadcasts local sporting events, music, and community programming.

Officials from WBCB and Board and Liberty didn’t respond to a request for comment.

Editor’s Note: WBCB host Pat Wandling has previously contributed articles and columns to this news organization. However, she was not involved in the reporting of this article.

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