A History of Radio Broadcasting in Georgia
Exploring Georgia Radio

Development and Popularization of FM Radio

Image of a WSB-FM radio program schedule for Winter and Spring of 1965
Though many FM stations originally duplicated their AM counterparts, by the mid-1960s FM stations had their own programming and broadcasting schedules.
Image of a trailer with a WAGA FM and tv sign on it for Cracker Baseball
Like WAGA (Atlanta), many AM stations expanded to FM broadcasting, either by “simulcasting” their programming from the AM station, or creating new content specifically for FM.
Image of a news clipping entitled Radio Station Owner Keeps Active in His Business with two images of a man at a radio microphone
As FM became more popular, airspace became increasingly rare. Some independent owners, like Jim Wilder of WBIE (Marietta) were offered millions of dollars to sell their stations.

Edwin H. Armstrong invented FM (Frequency Modulation) in 1928. FM broadcasting produced a superior sound, free from much of the static experienced with AM radio, but it was slow in gaining popularity (and advertising money) because most people only had AM radio receivers. To bridge the gap, the FCC suggested that stations “simulcast,” or play the same thing on their AM and FM stations. (include hyperlink to “How Radio Works” section)

The popularity of FM radio grew in the 1950s and 1960s, as the FCC opened up more channels to broadcasters and FM sets became cheaper and more readily available. Car companies introduced FM car radios in 1963. In 1964, the FCC ordered that FM stations stop simulcasting and create original programming for FM broadcasting.

The first official commercial FM station in Georgia, WRBL-FM (Columbus), began broadcasting in 1946. In 1948, WABE-FM, licensed by the Atlanta Board of Education, became the state’s first public radio station, broadcasting classical music and educational programming. That same year, WSB-FM began regular transmission, simulcasting their programs on AM and FM.