About Us

WBLE Radio was founded in 1953 by Harold & Barbara McCarley. In the beginning there was only one station – 1290 AM - originally with the daytime power of 1,000 watts and coverage of 35-40 miles from the station. In 1978, the station was purchased from the McCarleys by sole owner, J. Boyd Ingram, operating under Batesville Broadcasting Company, Inc.

Mr. Ingram, president of Batesville Broadcasting Company, Inc., immediately began to recognize the needs of the community and chose to grow the station. He started by applying for an FM station for the facility. In August 1978, Batesville Broadcasting Company successfully added their "first" FM station- WWUN 95.9 FM - a 6,000-watt, rock format station.

In 1983 the programming for WBLE AM was moved to 95.9FM because of the popularity of its country music format. The rock format was switched to 1290 AM.

In 1989 a permit was received allowing WBLE FM to change frequency to 100.5 and increase power to 50,000 watts. This placed WBLE in the regional radio station category, reaching over 250,000 listeners within a radius of 75 miles.

On February 2, 1996, an additional FM station was added - 106.9 FM, or Kool 107 - at a power of 6,000 watts. It began operating with a full-time "oldies" format.

WBLE has had local owners since its beginning in 1953. Our continuous goal is to strive to meet the unique needs and wants of our listeners in northwest Mississippi.

About WBLE

WBLE Country 101 is based in Batesville, Mississippi, and operates 24 hours daily with a power of 50,000 watts - the most powerful station in northwest Mississippi. In existence since 1953, the station has established itself as a source of entertainment and information for all segments of the population.

Country 101 programs informational data that most stations do not cover. We broadcast daily church news, obituaries, live radar weather reports, extensive live high school sports coverage, local newscasts, and hourly ABC radio news. In addition, we program country music in digital stereo, recognized as the most popular format for deep south radio stations.

About WHKL

WHKL began operation on February 2, 1996, at 106.9 FM, and a power of 6,000 watts. Known as Kool 107, the station covers an approximate 40-mile radius from our transmitter site in Pleasant Grove, Mississippi.

Kool 107 features your favorite "oldies" 24 hours per day. North Delta sports - including football and basketball - are carried live, plus the broadcasts can be heard worldwide through a link at panola.com. Local news, weather and other special events are carried on Kool 107, including several religious programs and church services.