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Learn the origin story of Charlotte’s WBT, the first licensed commercial station in North Carolina and the Southeast, and the third in the U.S. Hear an interview with one of its founders and see photos of its early locations. This video was produced to celebrate WBT’s 100th year of operation in 2022.

Learn more about the latter history of WBT, which celebrated its 100th year of operation in 2022.

Get an overview of the rich and storied history of WBT, the Southeast’s first commercial radio station and third in the United States.

Sis Kaplan is a pioneering broadcaster, media entrepreneur, and civic leader whose work helped shape Charlotte’s radio landscape during a period of rapid growth. Raised in a broadcasting family, Kaplan began her career at CBS Radio and Television in Chicago before moving to Charlotte with her husband, Stan Kaplan, in 1965.

Together, they built and operated some of the region’s most successful radio stations, including the launch of WAYS, an influential Top 40 station that combined contemporary music, strong local news coverage, and deep community involvement. Kaplan played a key role in developing the station’s award-winning news operation and helping establish its reputation as both an entertainment leader and a trusted source of information.

John Edgerton was among the pioneers of local news broadcasting in the early years of TV. He saw his leadership role in designing the Carolinas’ first hour-long local newscast as the most satisfying success of his career. He worked at WSJS-TV (now WXII-TV) in Winston-Salem before beginning a 32-year career at WBT-WBTV in Charlotte. He worked as a reporter, producer, news director, program manager, and ultimately general manager.

Mike Raley is a North Carolina broadcasting veteran whose career at WPTF Radio has spanned more than five decades. A native of Durham County and graduate of North Carolina State University, Raley began his broadcasting career after landing a producer position at WPTF while still a student. Over the years, he has served in a variety of roles, including news anchor, talk show host, producer, and on-air personality.

Raley is best known as the longtime host of The Weekend Gardener, one of North Carolina’s most enduring radio programs, and for his commitment to community-focused broadcasting.

Allan Hoffman’s broadcasting career spanned 42 years, with 27 of those years spent at WNCT in Greenville, N.C., where he was hired as the primary anchor in 1985. Before joining WNCT, he worked at WLOS in Asheville.

Brian Bailey has worked for more than 40 years at WNCT. He joined WNCT in 1984 as a news reporter and weekend sports anchor. He was then promoted to Sports Director in April of 1986.