WTBS-LD
A low-power television station in Atlanta that also operates an associated 87.7 FM audio service.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
WTBS-LD is a low-power television station licensed to Atlanta, Georgia, whose current operation combines a digital television service with an associated audio broadcast that can be heard around 87.7 MHz on the FM dial. The station is owned by Prism Broadcasting and transmits from the American Tower site on Chester Avenue in downtown Atlanta. Its unusual identity reflects the technical history of low-power channel 6 stations: the analog television audio carrier at 87.75 MHz is close enough to the standard FM band that compatible receivers can hear it as an FM signal. The station's lineage includes earlier call signs and facilities. It first operated as W56CD in Rome, Georgia, later becoming W26BT and then WANX-LP. The WANX-LP call sign was adopted in January 2000. On October 15, 2007, the station became WTBS-LP, using call letters previously associated with an Atlanta-area television service that later became WPCH-TV. The station's early identity was therefore shaped by both low-power broadcasting and the reassignment of historically recognizable call letters. A separate digital operation associated with the original WTBS-LD channel 26 facility signed on in early January 2011. That facility operated as a digital satellite of the main station and carried six subchannels, including programming affiliated with Estrella TV. It shared a broader transmission area northeast of Atlanta with several other television facilities, including WANN-CD. The original channel 26 license was ultimately canceled by the Federal Communications Commission on March 17, 2021. The surviving channel 6 operation has repeatedly changed its audio programming. In 2014, the analog service returned under special temporary authority on television channel 6, with its audio also available at 87.75 MHz. It later carried the urban adult contemporary format Mix 87.7. The operator announced that Mix would leave the frequency at the end of January 2019, citing financial shortfalls and intense competition for Atlanta's Black radio audience. Beginning February 1, 2019, the service adopted the Regional Mexican format La Invasora. Between 2020 and 2022, it was rebranded La Que Buena 87.7 while retaining the Regional Mexican format. WTBS-LP received authorization for digital operation on July 14, 2021, and changed its call sign to WTBS-LD. Two days later, the FCC granted special temporary authority for an ancillary audio signal at 87.7 FM. In July 2023, an FCC Report and Order included WTBS-LD among 13 channel 6 stations permitted to continue providing an ancillary or supplementary FM audio service. On January 13, 2025, La Que Buena 87.7 changed to 87.7 The Vibe and adopted an urban adult contemporary format. The station currently broadcasts using ATSC 3 technology. Its present positioning is consequently less that of a conventional full-power network affiliate and more that of a specialized Atlanta low-power television and radio-audio platform.
History
WTBS-LD is an Atlanta low-power television station with an unusual dual-media history. Its predecessor operations included W56CD in Rome, Georgia, W26BT, WANX-LP, and WTBS-LP. The WANX-LP call sign was used from January 2000, and the facility adopted WTBS-LP on October 15, 2007. The WTBS call letters had previously been used by an Atlanta-area station that later became WPCH-TV. The station's technical identity developed around television channel 6. Because the audio carrier for analog channel 6 is located at approximately 87.75 MHz, listeners with suitable FM receivers can hear the station's audio service near the lower edge of the FM band. In 2014, the analog service returned under special temporary authority and used this technical arrangement to provide an audio outlet. The service was branded Mix 87.7 and used an urban adult contemporary format. Its operator later announced that Mix would cease using the frequency on January 31, 2019, attributing the decision to financial shortfalls and a highly competitive Atlanta market. On February 1, the station relaunched as La Invasora 87.7 with a Regional Mexican format. By a point between 2020 and 2022, it had been renamed La Que Buena 87.7 without changing that basic format. The station also had a distinct digital channel 26 history. An original WTBS-LD facility broadcast six digital subchannels and functioned as a digital satellite of the channel 6 operation, including an Estrella TV affiliation. Its digital transmitter signed on in early January 2011 and was located northeast of Atlanta near Briarcliff Road alongside numerous other television transmitters. The channel 26 license was canceled by the FCC on March 17, 2021. The surviving channel 6 facility was authorized for digital operation on July 14, 2021. It then changed its call sign from WTBS-LP to WTBS-LD. On July 16, 2021, the FCC granted special temporary authority for an ancillary 87.7 FM audio signal. This arrangement received broader regulatory recognition in a July 2023 FCC Report and Order, which identified WTBS-LD as one of 13 FM6 stations permitted to continue providing an ancillary or supplementary FM broadcast. On January 13, 2025, the audio service changed from La Que Buena 87.7 to 87.7 The Vibe and adopted an urban adult contemporary format. The station currently uses ATSC 3 for its television transmission. It is owned by Prism Broadcasting, and its transmitter site is identified as the American Tower Site on Chester Avenue in downtown Atlanta. WTBS-LD's development illustrates the evolution of low-power television from analog channel operations into hybrid television and FM-audio services, with branding and programming repeatedly adapted to Atlanta's changing audience and competitive conditions.
- 2025
87.7 The Vibe launched
[1]The station replaced La Que Buena 87.7 with 87.7 The Vibe and moved to an urban adult contemporary format.
- 2023
FM6 continuation recognized by FCC
[1]The FCC's July 20 Report and Order included WTBS-LD among stations allowed to continue ancillary FM audio operations.
- 2021
Digital call sign adopted
[1]After receiving digital authorization, WTBS-LP became WTBS-LD on July 14.
- 2021
Channel 26 license canceled
[1]The FCC canceled the original WTBS-LD channel 26 license on March 17.
- 2019
Regional Mexican format launched
[1]The station replaced Mix 87.7 with La Invasora 87.7 on February 1.
- 2014
Analog channel 6 service returned
[1]The station resumed analog channel 6 operation under special temporary authority, with audio receivable around 87.75 MHz.
- 2011
Digital channel 26 operation signed on
[1]The original channel 26 digital transmitter began operating in early January as a satellite facility carrying six subchannels.
- 2007
Station became WTBS-LP
[1]The call sign changed from WANX-LP to WTBS-LP on October 15.
- 2000
WANX-LP call sign adopted
[1]The low-power facility used the WANX-LP call sign beginning in January.
Products and positioning
A specialized Atlanta low-power broadcast platform combining ATSC 3 television with an associated 87.7 FM audio service and periodically refreshed local-market music formats.
Digital low-power television · 2021
WTBS-LD ATSC 3 television service
The station's current digital television operation uses ATSC 3 technology. It is the modern successor to the station's analog channel 6 service and forms the television side of WTBS-LD's hybrid broadcast identity. Available programming details and channel schedules are not specified in the supplied references.
Urban adult contemporary audio service · 2025
87.7 The Vibe
87.7 The Vibe is the station's current audio brand, introduced on January 13, 2025. It replaced La Que Buena 87.7 and adopted an urban adult contemporary format. The service is associated with WTBS-LD's channel 6 audio carrier and can be heard around 87.7 MHz on compatible FM receivers.
Regional Mexican audio service
La Que Buena 87.7
La Que Buena 87.7 was a Regional Mexican format that followed the station's La Invasora 87.7 identity. The rebrand occurred sometime between 2020 and 2022, and the service remained on the 87.7 outlet until it was replaced by 87.7 The Vibe in January 2025.
Regional Mexican audio service · 2019
La Invasora 87.7
La Invasora 87.7 launched on February 1, 2019, after the departure of Mix 87.7. It used a Regional Mexican format and demonstrated the station's effort to serve a different audience within Atlanta's multilingual radio market.
Urban adult contemporary audio service · 2014
Mix 87.7
Mix 87.7 was an urban adult contemporary audio format carried through the station's analog channel 6 operation and associated 87.75 MHz audio signal. Its operator announced that the service would end on January 31, 2019, citing financial pressure and strong competition in Atlanta's Black-oriented radio market.
Brand decisions
2025
Launch 87.7 The VibeStrategyBackground
The station had operated under the La Que Buena 87.7 Regional Mexican identity.
Action taken
On January 13, the station changed its brand to 87.7 The Vibe and adopted an urban adult contemporary format.
Aftermath
The new format became the current identity associated with the station's 87.7 audio service.
2021
Transition from WTBS-LP to WTBS-LDGeneration changeBackground
The station received authorization for digital operation after operating as a low-power analog facility.
Action taken
The call sign changed to WTBS-LD on July 14, and the station later operated with ATSC 3 technology.
Aftermath
The station retained its associated 87.7 FM audio operation under FCC special temporary authority.
2019
Replace Mix 87.7 with La Invasora 87.7StrategyBackground
The operator said Mix 87.7 faced financial shortfalls and an overcompetitive market for radio aimed at Atlanta's Black audience.
Action taken
Mix 87.7 ceased using the WTBS frequency on January 31, and the station adopted the La Invasora Regional Mexican format on February 1.
Aftermath
The Regional Mexican service was later rebranded La Que Buena 87.7.
Sources2 sources
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