Brockton's WXBR 1460 airs final local lineup

   

The nearly 70-year-old radio station is changing to an international programming format.

 

BROCKTON -- For the first time in recent memory, Brockton will be without an English-language AM radio station after WXBR 1460 completes its morning lineup of shows Friday.

The radio station, formerly operating as WBET, is changing to a foreign language, international programming-based format under Azure Media, a Florida-based company that bought the station two years ago.

On Friday, community members cycled through the station on Belmont Street, expressing support for the morning hosts and taking turns at the microphone.

"Not to have a radio station in a city of 100,000 people is ludicrous," said city activity Dennis Hursey.

Hursey is working with talk show host Ron Van Dam to organize an effort to buy the morning block from WXBR. A community meeting will be held July 16 at 7 p.m. at George's Cafe on Belmont Street.

Peter Czymbor, who has hosted the morning show PM in the AM with Mike Paiva, said he had a blast interviewing locals like Mayor Bill Carpenter and international celebrities like Mike Tyson.

"When I first got offered this job I said to Mike, 'Let's just have fun,'" Czymbor said. "Mission accomplished."