WBLA

WBLA signed on August 3, 1956. The station was originally owned by Bladen Broadcasting Corporation and affiliated with the Mutual Broadcasting System.{{cite book|title=1957 Broadcasting Yearbook-Marketbook|year=1957|page=194|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1957/Radio-NE-Ter-1957-BC-YB.pdf|accessdate=September 8, 2018}} The station originally broadcast at 1450 kHz, running 100 watts with unlimited hours of operation. In 1958, the station's frequency was changed to 1440 kHz and its power was increased to 1,000 watts, with daytime operations only. In 1978, the station's power was increased to 5,000 watts. For the next twenty years, WBLA broadcast a community-based country music format, with Robert Hester as its owner-manager for much of that period. Hester sold the station in 1989, after obtaining a construction permit for a Class A FM station (WGQR, 105.7).

In 1990, WBLA and WGQR were sold Sound Business Inc., owned by Lee Hauser and later co-owned by Arthur DeBerry, for $550,000."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1990/RR-1990-09-07.pdf Transactions]", Radio & Records. September 7, 1990. p. 11. Retrieved September 9, 2018. Lee Hauser, who served as its president and WGQR/WBLA's general manager, began managing WJSK and WAGR in Lumberton, North Carolina when the company bought those stations. Dan Hester, former TV news anchor at WWAY in Wilmington, briefly served as Morning Host and General Manager for WGQR and WBLA.Woodard, Jay. "Radio Stations' Sales Under Way," The Fayetteville Observer, August 25, 1993. WGQR and WBLA both aired the Bladen County high school football game of the week."Football Fills Airwaves Across Region Again," The Fayetteville Observer, August 26, 1993. From 1990 to 2006, the stations simulcast an oldies and beach music format,[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/1991/NE-Ter-M-Street-3-1991.pdf The M Street Radio Directory]. 1991 p. 208. Retrieved September 9, 2018.[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/1995/NE-Ter-M-Street-6-1995.pdf The M Street Radio Directory]. 1995. p. 400. Retrieved September 9, 2018.Apel, Steve; Devine, Cathy (2001) [https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/2001/NE-Ter-M-Street-10-2001-2002.pdf The M Street Radio Directory]. Tenth Edition. p. 413. Retrieved September 9, 2018.Devine, Cathy (2005-2006) [https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/2005/NE-Ter-M-Street-14-2005-2006.pdf The M Street Radio Directory]. p. 434. Retrieved September 9, 2018. with WBLA offering brokered programming, primarily from local African-American churches, on Sundays.

In 2004, Beasley Broadcasting attempted to purchase WBLA and WGQR for $850,000, but the Federal Communications Commission disallowed the purchase because Beasley would own too many stations in the market."[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/Billboard-Airplay/2004/BBAM-2004-06-18.pdf RadioActive]", Airplay Monitor. June 18, 2004. p. 2. Retrieved September 9, 2018.Jacobson, Adam. "[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2005/RR-2005-07-01.pdf FCC Says No To Beasley Deal]", Radio & Records. July 1, 2005. p. 4. Retrieved September 9, 2018.

In January 2006, WGQR and WBLA were sold to Christian Listening Network for $875,000.[https://licensing.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/pubacc/Auth_Files/1095856.pdf Consent to Assignment], fcc.gov. Retrieved September 9, 2018."[https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/deals-108992 Deals]", Broadcasting & Cable. December 2, 2005. Retrieved September 9, 2018. WGQR switched to a Southern Gospel format."[https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/4840/christian-listening-network-announces-promotions-a Christian Listening Network Announces Promotions And Purchases]", All Access Music Group. January 12, 2006. Retrieved September 9, 2018. By 2010, the station had begun airing a Gospel format.Devine, Cathy (2010-2011) [https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-M-Street/2010/NE-Ter-M-Street-19-2010-2011.pdf The M Street Radio Directory]. p. 462. Retrieved September 9, 2018.

In 2013, WBLA was donated to Baldwin Branch Missionary Baptist Church.[https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101533164&formid=314&fac_num=59467 Application for Consent to Assignment of Broadcast Station Construction Permit or License], fcc.gov. Retrieved September 9, 2018.[https://licensing.fcc.gov/prod/cdbs/pubacc/Auth_Files/1533164.pdf Consent to Assignment], fcc.gov. Retrieved September 9, 2018. The station began online streaming in 2015.{{cite news|url=https://www.bladenjournal.com/news/religion/2339/wbla-now-live-streaming-on-the-internet|title=WBLA now live streaming on the Internet|work=Bladen Journal|date=October 21, 2015|accessdate=August 30, 2018}}

• {{Official website|http://wblaradio.com/}}
• {{AM station data|59467|WBLA}}

{{Religious Radio Stations in North Carolina}}

Category:Gospel radio stations in the United States

Category:Radio stations established in 1956

Category:1956 establishments in North Carolina

BLA