This page list ALL of the home stations in the Richmond area. Note that some stations considered out-of-market and/or fringe (rimshot) are also included. This type of station will put in a listenable signal to certain parts of the area and sometimes will garner enough listener-/viewership to register in ratings "books"...
» If you have any news, updates, additions or corrections... e-mail them to editor@VARTV.com.
Signed-on Sunday, May 14, 2007. Took the original call letters "WRIH" on March 7, 2005. Original CP (construction permit) granted on February 18, 2005. AFA has over 100 full-power, translator and affiliate stations around the country, four in VA, with most relaying "American Family Radio" WAFR/88.3 Tupelo MS.
A little background info on AFR... In 1987, American Family Association President Don Wildmon wanted to use satellite and the latest technology at the time to build hundreds of American Family Radio stations across America. Wildmon wanted to use these radio stations to inform Christians about what is happening. Reading 'Broadcasting' magazine in 1987, Wildmon ran across an article stating that the Federal Communications Commission would allow non-commercial FM stations to deliver their signal to local communities via satellite. He realized the vast potential and relative economic costs of such a system, AFA filed for a station in their hometown of Tupelo MS. It took four years to get a CP (construction permit) the FCC to construct the station. It was necessary this station before a signal could be transmitted to satellite. The Mississippi Authority for Educational Television, the group which is responsible for state funded radio stations, tried to block AFA from getting the station. MATA didn't want to build a station themselves, they simply didn't want AFA to be able to build the station for which AFA had applied. Four years later in February 1991, AFA received permission to build their station - WAFR. The station went on the air in August of that year. In February 1993, the first translator station went on the air in Jackson TN. Gradually the number of stations began to grow. AFR has built more stations in a shorter time than any other broadcaster in the history of broadcasting. In 1995, AFA begin their news department. AFR's schedule contains about 70% music and 30% talk. Musically, AFR is light contemporary with a mixture of older songs.
PS (Program Service) WCVE NPR TA (Traffic Announcement): No PTY (Program Type): CLASSICAL
Community Of License: Richmond VA Owner: Commonwealth Public Broadcasting Corporation Website:ideastations.org/wcvefm Internet Audio Stream:LISTEN LIVE! Facilities: 840' 17.5kW Service Designation: FM – Full Service FM Station / Class B Transmitter Site: 37° 34' 0" N 77° 28' 36" W FCC Facility ID: 10016 Frequency Background:
A National Public Radio (NPR) station serving the Richmond area with classical, jazz and public affairs programming. Increased its power from 8.3kW to 17.5kW in June 2004. When Union Theological Seminary announced in the mid-80s that it planned to sell or close WRFK 106.5, a public outcry arose and a group of concerned citizens lobbied CVET to take over WRFK or start a new station at a different frequency. CVET could not buy WRFK (I don't recall way) and opted to apply for a new frequency. I believe UTS agreed to keep operating WRFK until WCVE could get on the air, a process that took over a year (because of the reasons to state). WCVE started operations in 1988 after a long battle with Channel 6. Channel 6's audio frequency is just below the low end of the FM band. After technical studies showed that having an FM station in Richmond on 88.9 would not interfere with Channel 6, the go-ahead was given for WCVE. Richmond's non-commercial classical station used to be WRFK at 106.5, but that switched to being a commercial station when WCVE was born. WCVE is owned along with WCVE (channel 23) and WCVW (channel 57). Its studios on Sesame Street in Richmond.
WAUQ 89.7 209B1
Format: Christian Programming On-Air Positioning: American Family Radio Community Of License: Charles City VA Owner: American Family Association Website:wauq.net Internet Audio Stream:LISTEN LIVE! Facilities: 351' 10 kW / Directional Antenna Service Designation: FM – Full Service FM Station / Class B1 Transmitter Site: 37° 25' 58" N 77° 11' 38" W FCC Facility ID: 82970 Frequency Background:
Early 2002, WAUQ moved their studios to the original WRNL-AM facilities using the original WRNL tower as their STL tower to the Charles City County transmitter. AFA has over 100 full-power, translator and affiliate stations around the country, four in Virginia, with most relaying "American Family Radio" WAFR/88.3 Tupelo MS.
A little background info on AFR... In 1987, American Family Association President Don Wildmon wanted to use satellite and the latest technology at the time to build hundreds of American Family Radio stations across America. Wildmon wanted to use these radio stations to inform Christians about what is happening. Reading 'Broadcasting' magazine in 1987, Wildmon ran across an article stating that the Federal Communications Commission would allow non-commercial FM stations to deliver their signal to local communities via satellite. He realized the vast potential and relative economic costs of such a system, AFA filed for a station in their hometown of Tupelo MS. It took four years to get a CP (construction permit) the FCC to construct the station. It was necessary this station before a signal could be transmitted to satellite. The Mississippi Authority for Educational Television, the group which is responsible for state funded radio stations, tried to block AFA from getting the station. MATA didn't want to build a station themselves, they simply didn't want AFA to be able to build the station for which AFA had applied. Four years later in February 1991, AFA received permission to build their station - WAFR. The station went on the air in August of that year. In February 1993, the first translator station went on the air in Jackson TN. Gradually the number of stations began to grow. AFR has built more stations in a shorter time than any other broadcaster in the history of broadcasting. In 1995, AFA begin their news department. AFR's schedule contains about 70% music and 30% talk. Musically, AFR is light contemporary with a mixture of older songs.
WDCE 90.1 211A
Format: College Variety On-Air Positioning: WDCE 90.1 FM Community Of License: Richmond VA Owner: University of Richmond Website:student.richmond.edu/~wdce Internet Audio Stream:LISTEN LIVE! Facilities: 85' .1 kW Service Designation: FM — Full Service FM Station / Class A Transmitter Site: 37° 34' 48" N 77° 32' 35" W FCC Facility ID: 69312 Frequency Background:
WDCE is a 100 watt student run radio station located at the University of Richmond in Tyler Commons. They did stream their audio over the Internet at 56k (near FM quality) until 3/25/2002 because of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998. Best heard in the western parts of Richmond.
WHCE 91.1 216A
Format: CHR/Variety On-Air Positioning: Mix 91 Community Of License: Highland Springs VA Owner: Henrico County Schools Website:mix91.com Internet Audio Stream:LISTEN LIVE! Facilities: 105' 3 kW Service Designation: FM – Full Service FM Station / Class A Transmitter Site: 37° 32' 18" N 77° 19' 27" W FCC Facility ID: 26916 Frequency Background:
A 3000 watt FM station run by the students of Radio Broadcasting & Journalism at Highland Springs Technical Center, part of Henrico County Public Schools. Radio Broadcasting & Journalism is a two year program open to rising Juniors & Seniors in Henrico County Public Schools. Best heard in the Richmond area. Studios at 100 Tech Dr in Highland Springs. License was cancelled and call sign deleted on December 3, 2003. The FCC gave the station 30 days to submit a renewal application which it did and in turn it was granted. A low-powered, 3000-watt station owned by Henrico County Schools. Started broadcasting in 1980.
WVST-FM 91.3 217A
Format: Smooth Jazz, with a little R&B, Hip Hop, Gospel, Reggae, Oldies, the Blues On-Air Positioning: The Source 91.3 WVST Community Of License: Petersburg VA Owner: Virginia State University Website:vsu.edu Internet Audio Stream:LISTEN LIVE! Facilities: 167' 2.2 kW / Directional Antenna Service Designation: FM – Full Service FM Station / Class A Transmitter Site: 37° 14' 15" N 77° 24' 55" W FCC Facility ID: 70337 Frequency Background:
Provides excellent coverage around the Petersburg area. Started broadcasting in 1987. WVST offers an Internet audio stream at a whopping 353Kbps...
W219CX 91.7 219D
Format:
80% Insp Speaking // KAWZ/89.9 Twin Falls ID 20% Christian Contemporary
On-Air Positioning: KAWZ Community Of License: Lakeside/Richmond VA Owner: CSN International HD Radio™: Not Licensed RDS: No Website:csnradio.com Internet Audio Stream:LISTEN LIVE! Facilities: .010 kW Service Designation: FX – Translator Station (retransmits signal, different channel than main station) / Class D Transmitter Site:37° 36' 52" N 77° 30' 56" W FCC Facility ID: 94033 Frequency Background:
A full-time translator of KAWZ-FM in Twin Falls ID. Best heard in the northern areas of the immediate Richmond metro area. CSN International, founded in 1993, is a non-profit organization, an outreach of Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa CA and Calvary Chapel of Twin Falls ID. CSN broadcasts biblical teaching and praise and worship music 24 hours a day to cities throughout the United States and the world.
WCDX 92.1 2211
Format: Urban Contemporary On-Air Positioning: Power 92-1
PS (Program Service) PWR 92-1 TA (Traffic Announcement): No PTY (Program Type): R & B
Community Of License: Mechanicsville VA Owner: Radio One Website:ipower921.com Internet Audio Stream: None Facilities: 771' 4.5 kW Service Designation: FM – Full Service FM Station / Class B1 Transmitter Site:37° 36' 52" N 77° 30' 56" W FCC Facility ID: 60473 Frequency Background:
WCDX/92.1 relaunched as "iPower 92-1" at 5 p.m. on Friday 1/17/2008. The station yanked the entire air staff off the air in late October 2007. In November, WCDX got a new PD, Jeff Anderson, who also served as Radio One Richmond's Operations Manager.
The first station in the Radio One cluster (WCDX/92.1, WKJM/99.3, WPZZ/104.7, WKJS/105.7, WROU/1260) to go digital, early October 2006. WCDX has been dethroned as the most listened to station by 'Lite 98' WTVR recently due to stiff urban competition especially from newly flipped urban '106.5 The Beat' WBTJ. 'Power 92 Jamz' carries the Russ Parr Morning Show. It was purchased by Radio One in early 1999. Studios on Emerywood Parkway in Richmond. Had calls of WPUF starting August 20, 1984 then 'Lazer 93' WZZR on May 21, 1985. WCDX was born in February 1987 playing Top 40 but quickly segued to their current format in October of 1987 but on the 92.7 frequency (They went by 'Power 93'). Sometime in early 1996 they moved to their current frequency. Dates back to 1985.
WLFV 93.1 226A
Format: Country On-Air Positioning: 93.1 The Wolf Community Of License: Ettrick VA Owner: Main Line Broadcasting Website:931thewolf.com Internet Audio Stream: None Facilities: 348' 5.2 kW Service Designation: FM – Full Service FM Station / Class A Transmitter Site: 37° 16' 21" N 77° 33' 59" W FCC Facility ID: 76313 Frequency Background:
Changed call letters to WLFV from WJZV on 4/13/2006. Main Line Broadcasting announced on 8/29/05 that it has agreed to purchase the assets of MainQuad Communications (WARV/100.3 Petersburg, WBBT/107.3 Powhatan, WCUL/98.9 Midlothian) and Richmond Broadcasting (WJZV/93.1 Ettrick) for $25M. Dumped the Smooth Jazz format ("SmoothJazz 93.1" WJZV) at 4PM Sunday, October 4 for construction noises and statements like "We're building a new station, come back Monday morning." "93.1 The Wolf, Country That Rocks" debuted at 9:31AM the following day playing 93 hours of commercial-free music. The frequency originally signed on in 9/21/2000 to fill the smooth jazz format hole that had been left by the WDYL/WSMJ frequency flip and format change (WSMJ became WJRV playing country). Formerly owned by Richmond Broadcasting, Inc.
WBBC 93.5 228C3
Format: New Country On-Air Positioning: Bobcat Country
RDS:
PS (Program Service) 93-5WBBC TA (Traffic Announcement): No PTY (Program Type): COUNTRY
Community Of License: Blackstone VA Owner: Denbar Communications Website:bobcatcountryradio.com Internet Audio Stream:LISTEN LIVE! Facilities: 394' 17.5 kW Service Designation: FM – Full Service FM Station / Class C3 Transmitter Site: 37° 3' 14" N 78° 1' 15" W FCC Facility ID: 16583 Frequency Background:
Carries the "Young & Verna Morning Show" and Virginia Tech Hokies sports. WBBC reaches Chesterfield, Powhatan and Midlothain parts of Chester County, Emporia and up & down I-95 and I-85. It's one of the best signals in the Southside reaching South Hill, Chase City, Farmville, Brunswick County and Prince Edward.
WCFC-LP 93.7 229L1
Format: Religious On-Air Positioning: Community Of License: Richmond Owner: Crusade For Christ Temple Church Of God In Christ Website:cfcfamily.org Internet Audio Stream: None Facilities: 116' .072 kW / LPFM stations are considered nondirectional Service Designation: FL – FM Low Power Application or Authorization / Class L1 Transmitter Site: 37° 33' 29" N 77° 27' 15" W FCC Facility ID: 126464 Frequency Background:
Went on the air in March 2008. Took the call letters WCFC-LP on 2/16/2006. Original CP granted on March 18, 2005. Crusade For Christ Family Worship Church (CFC) and Glen Allen Community Church (GACC) will operate on 93.7 where "each station will operate from separate facilities specified in each application. Each station will pay it's own construction and operating expenses." CFC operating hours will be from 5AM to 5PM and GACC's hours will be from 5PM to 5AM. This was a compromise of three competing LPFM applications for 93.7. The third party withdrew its application.
PS (Program Service) STAR94-1 TA (Traffic Announcement): Yes PTY (Program Type): RELIGIOUS
Community Of License: Yorktown VA Owner: Barnstable Broadcasting Website:wxez941.com Internet Audio Stream: None Facilities: 531' 40 kW / Directional Antenna Service Designation: FM – Full Service FM Station / Class B Transmitter Site: 37° 12' 33" N 76° 32' 35" W FCC Facility ID: 19836 Frequency Background:
Even though this station targets the Hampton Roads market, they usually garner a 1.0 to 1.5 rating in the 12+ Arbitrons in Richmond. 'Star 94.1' since July 2000. Started using 'Star' for a broader audience appeal. Went by 'Gospel Praise 94.1' for about 18 months. Used to be 'EZ-94' with an easy listening format then, until mid-2000, had an adult contemporary format. Used to be country formatted WYVA. The station was WKEZ, using the "Keys To Your Country" slogan, from 1986 until October 14, 1991, when it became WKOD, as relay of rocker WKOC, 93.7. Later they were WXEZ, EZ-94.
WRVQ 94.5 233B
Format: Contemporary Hit Radio On-Air Positioning: Q94 Community Of License: Richmond VA Owner: Clear Channel
HD Radio™:
HD1 -Format: Mainstream CHR On-Air Positioning: Q94 HD2 - Format: New CHR On-Air Positioning: Hot Spot
RDS:
PS (Program Service - Dynamic) Q94 + TITLE/ARTIST TA (Traffic Announcement): No PTY (Program Type): TOP 40
Dumped the 80's Hits formatted "My 80s" on WRVQ-HD2 for New CHR "Hot Spot" at 2 p.m. on 1/22/2008 with Loverboy's "When It's Over" as the last track heard on My 80's and "Wanna Be Startin' Something" by Akon/Michael Jackson as the first on Hot Spot.
Doubled the music library of locally programmed 80's Hits on WRVQ-HD2 early 4/2007 with a station name change from "The Cube" to "My 80's." Started broadcasting digitally with iBiquity's HD Radio™ technology around 10 a.m. on 6/18/05 and started its HD2 channel in late 10/2006 as 80s Hits "The Cube." A longtime Top 40/CHR format. Focused on more mainstream CHR (less Hip-Hop and R&B), dropped "Today's Hit Music..." for "All The Hits...," and brought back the Q Morning Zoo all on May 3, 2004. Studios on Basie Road in Richmond. WRVQ dates back to 1948 when it was WRVB. For a while 94.5 also sported the WRVA calls. 94.5 was WRVA-FM and in the 60's & early 70's it simulcasted with WRVA-AM from 5:30a to 7p and then played automated country until signing off at midnight. On weekends it would sign on at 6A and play automated country until 2a. (All in mono).
W235AI 94.9 235D
Format: Christian Variety // WBKU 91.7 Ahsokie NC On-Air Positioning: American Family Radio Community Of License: Richmond VA Owner: Liberty University Website: None Internet Audio Stream: None Facilities: .010 kW Service Designation: FX – Translator Station (retransmits signal, different channel than main station) / Class D Transmitter Site:37° 34' 26" N 77° 31' 10" W | Service Contours (courtesy Rec Networks) FCC Facility ID: 150414 Frequency Background:
Announced in early 2/2007 the sale from Radio Assist Ministry to Liberty University. 20 translators were to be sold by Radio Assist Ministry/Edgewater Broadcasting to Liberty U for $260,000. All translators were valued at $15,000 each with one exception -- W235AI/Richmond -- valued at $25,000. Came on the air in mid-1/2007 relaying American Family Association's AFR (American Family Radio) WBKU/91.7 Ahoskie NC. Original CP (Construction Permit) granted on 1/8/2004. Radio Assist Ministry is one of several companies owned by CSN International. Their antenna is located just east of the University of Richmond.
WKHK 95.3 237B
Format: Country On-Air Positioning: K95 Community Of License: Colonial Heights VA Owner: Cox Radio Website:k95country.com Internet Audio Stream:LISTEN LIVE! Facilities: 512' 47 kW Service Designation: FM – Full Service FM Station / Class B Transmitter Site:37° 19' 59" N 77° 8' 33" W FCC Facility ID: 319 Frequency Background:
On 12/10/2007, WKHK increased its power. The station is now considered a full Class B station doing 47kW at 512 feet. They were doing 17kW at 394 feet. WKHK transmits from the same tower near the Chippenham Pkwy and I-95 interchange.
Owner Cox Radio was granted a CP to reclassify as a full Class B license from its B1 status on 7/25/05. This will increase WKHK's power to 50kW from 17.5kW plus the antenna is 30 meters (98 feet) higher up (than its old one) on a new tower just west of Charles City (they ended up not moving the antenna but instead used the same tower location). To do this, Cox Radio compensated JLC Properties, headed up by John L Cole, to move the transmitter site of WHLF/95.3 South Boston approximately five miles to the NW and power down to 4kW (from 6kW) and lower it's antenna to 50 meters/164 feet (from 75m/246ft) at the new site. WKHK's studios are on Moorefield Park Drive in Richmond. It is owned by Cox. Used to be WPVA and use WPVA-AM 1290 AM to simulcast its country signal.
WFLO 95.7 239B
Format: Soft Adult Contemporary On-Air Positioning: Flo-FM Community Of License: Farmville VA Owner: Colonial Broadcasting Website:wflo.net Internet Audio Stream: None Facilities: 492' 50 kW / Directional Antenna Service Designation: FM – Full Service FM Station / Class B Transmitter Site: 37° 19' 35" N 78° 23' 9" W FCC Facility ID: 12320 Frequency Background:
Uses Jones Soft AC satellite service. Other company holdings include classic country WSVS-AM (800) Crewe and country WFLO-AM (870) Farmville. Dates back to 1961.
WKLR 96.5 243B
Format: Classic Rock On-Air Positioning: Richmond's Only Classic Rock Station - 96-5 The Planet
RDS:
PS (Program Service) PLANET TA (Traffic Announcement): No PTY (Program Type): ROCK
Community Of License: Fort Lee VA Owner: Cox Radio Website:965theplanet.com Internet Audio Stream:LISTEN LIVE! Facilities: 453' 50 kW Service Designation: FM – Full Service FM Station / Class B Transmitter Site: 37° 26' 21" N 77° 25' 57" W FCC Facility ID: 71330 Frequency Background:
Studios on Moorefield Park Dr in Richmond. Offers the popular John Boy & Billy Big Show Monday thru Friday from 6AM-10AM. The calls were switched to WKLR and logo to "The Planet" in 1997. In 1995 Benchmark Communications, who at the time owned Alternative station WBZU/The Buzz 106.5 (now WBTJ) and oldies WDCK/The Duck (now WKLR) decided to shift WDCK to a 70's format that eventually evolved into the current classic rock sound heard on the station. Benchmark worked out an LMA for WLEE-AM with Max Pierson who owned it at the time. This gave Benchmark the opportunity to put the WLEE calls letters on 96.5. The frequency had been thru several formats since the early 80's. In addition to the "Duck" WDCK oldies format, it had been "Soft Rock 96" WQSF (doing Lite A/C around 1985; refocusing itself to the Richmond market, which at the time had a strong AC station -- EZ Communications' "EZ104" WEZS/103.7) and Soft 96 (doing a Beautiful Music format) and before that urban "Kiss 96" WQKS. Before that, it was operated as a local Williamsburg A/C station (WBCI then WMBG) from it's original sign-on in 1970.
WWUZ 96.9 245A
Format: Classic Rock On-Air Positioning: Classic Rock 96.9 Community Of License: Bowling Green VA Owner: Free Lance-Star Publishing Website:classicrock969.com Internet Audio Stream: None Facilities: 472' 2.95 kW Service Designation: FM – Full Service FM Station / Class A Transmitter Site: 37° 57' 56" N 77° 22' 19" W FCC Facility ID: 55174 Frequency Background:
Segued back to classic rock in February 2002. WWUZ is dead smack in between two markets - Richmond and Fredericksburg and has a very hard time finding an audience in either market. First signed on in October 1998 broadcasting classic rock. In April 2000, they shifted more towards a
classic hits format. Their studios are located at in The Free Lance–Star building at 616 Amelia St in Fredericksburg. Co-owned with WFLS-FM and WYSK-FM/AM.
WRIR-LP 97.3 247L1
Format: Independent On-Air Positioning: Richmond Indie Radio Community Of License: Richmond Owner: The Virginia Center for Public Press (Radio Free Richmond) Website:wrir.org Internet Audio Stream:LISTEN LIVE! Facilities: 109' .083 kW / LPFM stations are considered nondirectional Service Designation: FL – FM Low Power Application or Authorization / Class L1 Transmitter Site:37° 33' 13" N 77° 26' 8" W | Service Contours (courtesy Rec Networks) FCC Facility ID: 126872 Frequency Background:
A crane arrived in the morning of March 15, 2007 to hoist the new broadcast antenna and mast in the air onto the roof of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority’s Frederic A Fay Towers (1202 North First Street) approximately 1.7 miles from WRIR’s operating facility at 1621 West Broad St. The new signal was tested for two weeks before becoming the permanent signal for WRIR/97.3
Original CP granted on July 1, 2003. Took WRIR-LP calls on 8/1/03. Renamed "Richmond Indie Radio" on 1/1/2004 from "Radio Free Richmond." Signed-on July 2004.
WHDH 97.7 249
Format: SHUT DOWN by FCC (Classic Country) On-Air Positioning: WHDH Community Of License: Owner: Website: None Internet Audio Stream: None Facilities: ???' .048 kW Service Designation: Unlicensed Transmitter Site: 37.553611° N 77.460556° W FCC Facility ID: Frequency Background:
Pirate radio station that was operating from the Morningside retirement facilty at 3000 Skipwith Rd in Richmond. Was shut down by the FCC in mid-December 2005.
WTVR-FM 98.1 251B
Format: Adult Contemporary On-Air Positioning: Lite 98 Community Of License: Richmond VA Owner: Clear Channel
HD Radio™:
HD1 -Format: Adult Contemporary On-Air Positioning: Lite 98 HD2 - Format: Smooth Jazz On-Air Positioning: Smooth Jazz
RDS:
PS (Program Service - Dynamic) LITE98 + TITLE/ARTIST TA (Traffic Announcement): No PTY (Program Type): SOFT
Website:lite98.com Internet Audio Stream: Analog/HD1: LISTEN LIVE!HD2:LISTEN LIVE! Facilities: 840' 50 kW Service Designation: FM – Full Service FM Station / Class B Transmitter Site: 37° 34' 0" N 77° 28' 36" W FCC Facility ID: 54387 Frequency Background:
Started broadcasting digitally with iBiquity's HD Radio™ Sping 2005 and started its HD2 channel beginning of 11/2006 as Smooth Jazz. Studios on Basie Rd in Richmond. Started broadcasting in 1946; it was the first FM station in Richmond. WTVR used to have an easy listening format in the 1970s are early 1980s. Then became "Stereo Country FM 98." It was country for almost 10 years before going back into the Easy Listening format in the early 90's. The late Scott Stevens, most recently of Richmond traffic reporting fame, was a DJ at WTVR during the Country format era. Its original calls were WCOD. WTVR used to be owned by Park Broadcasting with Channel 6; it is now owned by Clear Channel.
WWLB 98.9 255B1
Format: Adult/Variety Hits On-Air Positioning: 98-9 Liberty, Playing What We Want (The Freedom To Choose) Community Of License: Midlothian VA
RDS:
PS (Program Service - Dynamic) LIBERTY TA (Traffic Announcement):No PTY (Program Type): ADULT HITS
Owner: Main Line Broadcasting Website:Website:989liberty.com Internet Audio Stream: None Facilities: 746' 4.8 kW / Directional Antenna Service Designation: FM – Full Service FM Station / Class B1 Transmitter Site:37° 36' 52" N 77° 30' 56" W FCC Facility ID: 54872 Frequency Background:
Signed-on Adult/Variety Hits "98-9 Liberty, The Freedom To Choose" on 9/6/05 after being silient from moving to Midlothain from Orange VA. Main Line Broadcasting announced on 8/29/05 that it has agreed to purchase the assets of MainQuad Communications (WARV/100.3 Petersburg, WBBT/107.3 Powhatan, WCUL/98.9 Midlothian) and Richmond Broadcasting (WJZV/93.1 Ettrick) for $25M. Changed call letters from WCUL to WWLB the same day. Licensed for Midlothian on April 19, 2005. Starting testing March 1, 2005 from the Richmond site. Swapped the WJMA-FM (103.1) calls for WCUL on 3/22/2004. The station is using a directional antenna to protect WXGM/99.1 Gloucester, WNOR/98.7 Norfolk, 99.3/Petersburg and WMZQ/98.7 Washington. WCUL was moved into the Richmond market and sold to MainQuad for $6.25 million. Formerly owned by Joyner Broadcasting (for two months) then to Piedmont Communications. When WJMA-FM Orange VA, they went on the air November 22, 1971 at 96.7 as a simulcast of WJMA-AM which had been on the air since 1949. WJMA is named for the James Madison Association the original licensee of WJMA-AM. The station was purchased from the James Madison Association by Arch Harrison and WJMA Incorporated in 1961. WJMA began using the slogan "Radio Orange" in the mid 1970s. Many consider the 1975-1982 period the "golden years" for WJMA which considered itself a local version of WMAL, Washington. WJMA had a strong local news commitment. In 1978 it won 7 of 8 Associated Press news awards for non-metro radio stations. The music was Middle of the Road which evolved into Adult Contemporary by the late 70s. In addition to lots of local high school sports, WJMA carried the Redskins, Orioles, University of Virginia and Virginia Tech schedules. Digby Soloman and Soloman & Lowe purchased WJMA AM/FM in 1984. In December of 1984, WJMA FM became WVJZ, "Z96.7", playing Adult Contemporary music while continuing to simulcast with WJMA AM. Soloman & Lowe sold to Carl Hurlebaus and Capitol Radio Holdings in 1988. The news and sports coverage was reduced and the music took on a more Top 40 flavor with the slogan "Jammin' 96". After a period of decline, the stations were purchased by a group of local business owners under the name Piedmont Communications. The format was changed to Country with the slogan "Country Mix 96" and the FM call was changed back to WJMA in February of 1990. In June, 2001 a three station shuffle to allow WSIG-FM in Mount Jackson VA and WREL-FM in Lexington VA to increase power, WJMA moved to its present dial position at 98.9 with a new slogan of "Your Place In The Country". WJMA-AM is now WVCV-AM. In the fall of 2002, Piedmont Communications traded 98.9 to North Carolina station owner Tom Joyner for Joyner's two Culpeper VA: WCVA-AM and WCUL-FM (now WJMA-FM).
WKJM 99.3 257A
Format: Urban Adult Contemporary // WKJS On-Air Positioning: 105.7/99.3 Kiss FM Community Of License: Petersburg VA Owner: Radio One Website:yestokiss.com Internet Audio Stream: None Facilities: 328' 6 kW / Directional Antenna Service Designation: FM – Full Service FM Station / Class A Transmitter Site: 37° 14' 1" N 77° 22' 36" W FCC Facility ID: 60477 Frequency Background:
Changed call letters from WPZZ to WKJM on 11/25/2004. In a major station shake-up at midnight on Thursday, November 18, 2004, Radio One moved Gospel "Praise 99.3" to it strongest signal 104.7/Crewe and took on a new simulcast of Urban AC "105.7 Kiss FM" WJMO/Richmond. On 12/3/03, flipped from jockless Rhythmic to Gospel as "Praise 99.3." Took the WPZZ calls on 11/25/2003. Stopped simulcasting 105.7 in mid-April 2001 to flip to Gospel as "Praise 99.3" WPLZ. The station had changed calls to WPZE so that the WPLZ calls could move to 105.7. In the summer of 2001, Radio One got wind of Clear Channel's pending flip of "Oldies 106.5" WRCL to a CHR/Rhythmic. So one day before "106.5 The Beat" WBTJ signed-on (6/10/2001), Radio One signed-on Hip-Hop "Hot 9-9-3" WRHH to flank market leader Urban "Power 92-1" WCDX. This didn't work. "The Beat" eventually shifted to Urban go head-to-head with "Power." "The Beat" became the undisputed Urban leader in Richmond; knocking "Power" down to a tie for 8th place in the overall ratings in the Summer 2003 ratings Book. During this same time, "Hot" shifted to the Rhythmic format and went jockless and oddly enough, 99.3 enjoyed its best ratings. Was Urban AC until December 1998 when it switched to Urban Oldies. This station was purchased by Radio One in early 1999. Studios on Emerywood Parkway in Richmond. Call letters stand for former slogan: "music to please," back when it was once an easy listening station. Dates back to 1966. An interesting sidelight, at one point in time the programming on "Majic 99" WPLZ was simulcast on 99.3 in Fredericksburg VA and in Charlottesville in an effort to extend the reach of WPLZ's signal to the north and west of Richmond.
WYFJ 100.1 261A
Format: BBN - Religious On-Air Positioning: Where You Find Joy Community Of License: Ashland VA Owner: Bible Broadcasting Network Website:bbnradio.org Internet Audio Stream:LISTEN LIVE! Facilities: 321' 6 kW / Directional Antenna Service Designation: FM – Full Service FM Station / Class A Transmitter Site: 37° 44' 46" N 77° 29' 44" W FCC Facility ID: 5096 Frequency Background:
Signed on February 1, 1980. Signal is listenable as far south as Petersburg. Studios on South Washington Highway in Ashland. Broadcasts the Bible Broadcasting Network's (BBN) sacred Christian music via satellite.
WARV-FM 100.3 262A
Format: 70s-60s Hits // WBBT-FM On-Air Positioning: 107.3 BBT Community Of License: Petersburg VA Owner: Main Line Broadcasting Website:1073bbt.com Internet Audio Stream: None Facilities: 371' 4.7 kW Service Designation: FM – Full Service FM Station / Class A Transmitter Site: 37° 10' 27" N 77° 24' 1" W FCC Facility ID: 21826 Frequency Background:
WBBT/107.3 Powhatan/Richmond and WARV/100.3 was reimaged as "107.3 BBT - The Greatest Hits of the '60s and '70s." at 12:01 a.m. on 8/27/2007. The station was previous known as "Motown, Soul and Great Rock 'n Roll, Oldies 107.3." The new station received a new imaging voice, and a shift in the musical focus to add more '70s (and some early '80s). At the same time, midday host Matt Nicholls resigned and left the radio business.
Main Line Broadcasting announced on 8/29/05 that it has agreed to purchase the assets of MainQuad Communications (WARV/100.3 Petersburg, WBBT/107.3 Powhatan, WCUL/98.9 Midlothian) and Richmond Broadcasting (WJZV/93.1 Ettrick) for $25M. Dumped all of its sports programming on 1/21/2004 to simulcast the same day flip to "Oldies 107-3" on WBBT. Was known as "ESPN Richmond." Flipped to ESPN Radio on April 1, 2003 after a month long of stunting. Started the stunting on 2/24/03 playing 'God Bless America' by Celine Dion, 'American Pie' by Don McLean and every version of the 'Star Spangled Banner' among others. Best heard around Petersburg. Sold to MainQuad Communications in December 2002. Charles Giddens owned it as Honolulu Broadcasting but passed away from cancer in September 2001. The station was sold by his widow Joanne to MainQuad for $1.2M. Cox Radio had a JSA with WARV. Carried the Richmond Renegades ECHL hockey games in 2002 - all regular-season and playoff games. Added all-Spanish music (La Primera) on the weekends in April 2002 when WVNZ-AM 1320 scaled back it's weekend Spanish programming. Honolulu Broadcasting purchased 100.3 from Radio One in early 2001. Honolulu then turned around and signed an LMA with Cox. WARV dropped the simulcast of WJRV, stunted for a while, and then returned as 'Cat Country'. In August 1999, flipped from urban contemporary WSOJ to country WARV. Studios on Wilkinson Road in Richmond. Started broadcasting in 1992. Used to have the WSVV call letters.
WZEZ 100.5 263A
Format: Nostalgia/Big Band On-Air Positioning: EZ 100.5 Community Of License: Goochland VA Owner: WZEZ, Inc Website:wzezradio.com Internet Audio Stream:LISTEN LIVE! Facilities: 262' 4.8 kW Service Designation: FM – Full Service FM Station / Class A Transmitter Site: 37° 38' 16" N 77° 54' 21" W FCC Facility ID: 87127 Frequency Background:
Was owned by Hubert N Hoffman Jr Family Trust but assigned to WZEZ, Inc (same folks). Hoffman Communications brought the 100.5 frequency on the air on April 13, 2001 with an adult standards format. Now run by his son. With studios in south suburban Chester, and transmitter on the line between Powhatan and Goochland counties, the station is best heard in the western parts of Richmond. Hoffman also owns religious WGGM in Richmond.
WDYL 101.1 266A
Format: Alternative On-Air Positioning: Y-101 Richmond's New Rock
RDS:
PS (Program Service) Y101 TA (Traffic Announcement): No PTY (Program Type): ROCK
Community Of License: Chester VA Owner: Cox Radio Website:y101rocks.com Internet Audio Stream:LISTEN LIVE! Facilities: 367' 4 kW Service Designation: FM – Full Service FM Station / Class A Transmitter Site: 37° 26' 21" N 77° 25' 57" W FCC Facility ID: 27439 Frequency Background:
Initiated by Cox Radio and adopted by the FCC on 10/11/2006 to move Alternative "Y101" WDYL/101.1 Chester to a new COL (community of license) -- Lakeside, move to a new frequency -- 100.9 and to increase its power/antenna height to 25kW and 328 feet (or any combination of). The new 100.9 Lakeside signal competes better with the other Richmond area stations, coverage-wise.
There were several parties involved with this Proposal from Cox, some for it (WNNT/100.9, WKHI/107.5) and some against it (WLOU-LP/100.9 Williamsburg, WRBG-LP/107.9 Millsboro DE, and some others). For WDYL to move to 100.9/Lakeside, Real Media Inc's (was owned by Northern Neck and Tidewater Communications at the onset) "RiverCountry 100.9" WNNT Warsaw agreed to move to 107.5, still as a Class A (up 6kW / 328ft). Great Scott Broadcasting's Variety Hits "107-5 Joe FM" WKHI Fruitland MD agreed to downgrade from a Class B1 to a Class A and move to 107.7. Both stations were compensated for the moves. All three stations WDYL, WNNT and WKHI, submitted applications to the FCC within 90 days of the adoptation to reflect the new changes. The "Notice of Proposed Rule Making" can be found at FCC.gov.
This station went dark in mid-1999 but returned to the airwaves in October with an alternative rock format as Y-101. This used to be "smooth jazz" WSMJ until September 1998 when religious WDYL, which used to be located at 105.7 and 92.1 previous, moved here...June 1996 until September 1999. Was also contemporary Christian until October 1999. WDYL used to be owned by Hoffman Communications but was purchased by Radio One and then bought by Cox. WCVE started here on a 'temporary' basis for 19 months before its permanent home at 88.9.
WRXL 102.1 271B
Format: Alternative On-Air Positioning: 102.1 The X Community Of License: Richmond VA Owner: Clear Channel
HD Radio™:
HD1 -Format: Alternative On-Air Positioning: 102.1 The X HD2 - Format: Album Adult Alternative On-Air Positioning: The Music Summit
RDS:
PS (Program Service) THE X TA (Traffic Announcement): No PTY (Program Type): ROCK
Clear Channel started testing WRXL-HD2 on 10/24/2006, sometime after 6 p.m., running a Triple A format -- "The Music Summit." WRXL was the first station in Richmond to broadcast an HD2 channel. Carries the "Elliot In The Morning" show from sister "DC101" WWDC Washington DC (since 10/7/02). Shifted to alternative "102.1 The X" on September 13, 2002. The first hour featured Beastie Boys "You Gotta Fight," Hoobbastank "Running Away," Incubus "I Wish You Where Here," Pearl Jam "Black," Linkin Park "Pts Of Athrty," Our Lady Peace "Somewhere Out There," System Of A Down "Aerials," Lit "My Own Worst Enemy," The Used "Taste Of Ink" and Creed "One Last Breath." Before the flip, they played "This is the End" by the Doors. After that song, an announcement came on saying that "XL102" was dead at which time "In the End" by the Beatles came on. After that song, another an announcement was made that "in the end, something great rises from the ashes of the dead" - a 60-second countdown ensued and at the end "New Rock - 102.1 The X" was born. Previously was a longtime (heritage) rock station - "XL102" - dating back to December 1976 and called itself in their earlier days "The Big Rock Station." Used to carry Dee Snider from the '80s band Twisted Sister in the mornings but didn't last long at all. Studios on Basie Road in Richmond. 102.1 first signed on in 1947. It used to sport the WRNL calls when it was owned by the Richmond News Leader/Richmond Times Dispatch which became Media General. WRNL and WRNL-AM (910) were, at one time, top forty stations that gave WRVA some serious competition.
W273BB 102.5 273D
Format: (to be) Bright AC // WJYJ/90.5 Fredericksburg VA On-Air Positioning: (to be) Virginia's Positive Hits Community Of License: Richmond Owner: Positive Alternative Radio RDS: No HD Radio™: Not Licensed Website:positivehits.org Internet Audio Stream:LISTEN LIVE! Facilities: .01 kW Service Designation: FX – Translator Station (retransmits signal, different channel than main station) / Class D Transmitter Site:37° 36' 52" N 77° 30' 57" W | Service Contours FCC Facility ID: 139555 Frequency Background:
Liberty University swapped the original CP (construction permit) for this translator in 12/2006 for two Positive Alternative Radio (PAR) proposed translators; 101.5 (W268BD) in Harrisonburg and 96.7 (W244BP) in Charlottesville. PAR will use the Richmond signal to rebroadcast programming from its CCM "Virginia's Positive Hits" WJYJ/90.5 Fredericksburg. Original CP granted on August 11, 2004. Call letters W273BB assigned on 8/11/04.
W276BZ 103.1 276D
Format: Modern Rock // WNRN/91.9 Charlottesville VA On-Air Positioning: Modern Rock And No Commercials Community Of License: Midlothian VA Owner: Stu-Comm Inc
RDS:
PS (Program Service) WNRN TA (Traffic Announcement): No PTY (Program Type): PUBLIC
Website:wnrn.org Internet Audio Stream:LISTEN LIVE! Facilities: .01 kW Service Designation: FX – Translator Station (retransmits signal, different channel than main station) / Class D Transmitter Site:37° 30' 45" N 77° 36' 5" W FCC Facility ID: 158513 Frequency Background:
New call letters W276BZ replaced W275AU on 6/28/2006. Original CP granted on August 31, 2004 for 102.9. Was granted a minor change on 5/11/2005 to the CP to move to 103.1 to help protect a new LPFM, Four Mile Creek Baptist Church's WFMC-LP, on the east side of Richmond. That LPFM has since been deleted.
WMXB 103.7 279B
Format: Hot Adult Contemporary On-Air Positioning: Mix 103-7 Community Of License: Richmond VA Owner: Cox Radio
PS (Program Service) WMXB-FM TA (Traffic Announcement): No PTY (Program Type): SOFT
Website:mix1037.com Internet Audio Stream:LISTEN LIVE! Facilities: 840' 20 kW Service Designation: FM – Full Service FM Station / Class B Transmitter Site: 37° 30' 31" N 77° 34' 37" W FCC Facility ID: 37230 Frequency Background:
WMXB dumped the "Soft & Contemporary" format it had been running for months for Hot AC -- "The Best Mix of the 80s, 90s and Today" in mid-4/2007 but still as "Mix 103-7." The station was jockless for 30 days with no talk (but commercials) including the morning show. The "Jack and Jen in the Morning" show returned 5/14/2007.
The first station in the Cox Radio cluster (WKHK/95.3, WKLR/96.5, WDYL/101.1, WMXB/103.7) to go digital. Dumped the Hot AC format as "B103" at 12 midnight on 3/22/2004 for Soft AC. The last songs heard on B103 were "Goodbye To You" by Michelle Branch and "It's The End Of The World As We Know It" by R.E.M. The new Mix 103-7 kicked off with "A New Day Has Come" by Celine Dion.
Their current studios are on Moorefield Park Drive in Richmond. 103.7 started out in 1961 as WFMV 'Fine Music in Virginia,' with 10,000 watts operated by Professional Broadcasting, Inc. They were the first stereophonic station in Virginia. Fidelity Bankers Life Insurance Company bought the station in 1964 and moved it to their 5001 West Broad Street headquarters. Jess Duboy was contracted to staff the station. His connection was that he managed Sergeant and Major Reynolds AM station, WGOE (1590); the Reynolds brothers were on the board of Fidelity Bankers Life. He brought in youthful button-pushers and contracted with the legendary Carl Stutz and Frank Batters (Brooks) to record voice tracks. Tired of financial losses, the insurance company sold the station to Ben Thomas, a manufactured housing magnate from Greencastle, Pennsylvania, who moved the station into two trailers, bearing his marquee, at the transmitter site in the woods (which was inaccessible during wet or snowy weather except on foot). Thomas wanted to flip the station religious, but unknown to him the staff, then led by C. G. Massie, Jr. (Bill) continued the classical music format, instead. Thomas's finances became somewhat embarrassed and he sold the station to EZ Communications of Northern Virginia for about $50,000 in stock in 1969 or 1970. Fearing loss of Richmond's only classical voice, a group of loyal listeners then formed the 'Save Fine Music' committee which lobbied EZ Communications to keep the classical format for another year or until arrangements could be made with Union Theological Seminary to upgrade their station, WRFK, to full-time with the WFMV format on 106.5. This worked out and 103.7 became WEZS-FM, a very profitable station under the management of Connie Golden. The WFMV library was donated to WRFK. Grete Dollitz's program, 'An Hour With the Guitar,' was originally on WFMV and, after more than 30 years, is still heard on WCVE-FM. In the mid 80s, Richmond's number one station at that time in the 25-54 demo, as well as ranking usually top 3 (12+ demo) was EZ Communications' "EZ104" WEZS.
WPZZ 104.7 284C1
Format: Gospel On-Air Positioning: Praise 104.7 Community Of License: Crewe VA Owner: Radio One Website:praise1047.com Internet Audio Stream: None Facilities: 981' 100 kW / Directional Antenna Service Designation: FM – Full Service FM Station / Class C1 Transmitter Site:37° 10' 15" N 77° 57' 16" W FCC Facility ID: 321 Frequency Background:
Changed call letters from WKJS to WPZZ on 12/7/04. In a major station shake-up at midnight on Thursday, November 18, 2004, Radio One shifted the Gospel format from the 99.3/Petersburg frequency to displace Urban AC "104.7 Kiss FM." "Kiss FM" moved to 105.7/Richmond. Had been Urban AC since February 1998. In the 90s, modern rock WBZU used to be located here before moving to 106.5. Used to be country and then oldies WVGO before that. And country WSVS-FM before that. Also sported the WKIK (The Bear/country) calls for a while. Studios are on Emerywood Parkway in Richmond. This station dates back to 1949.
WBNN-FM 105.3 287A
Format: Country On-Air Positioning: Big Country 105.3 Community Of License: Dillwyn VA Owner: WKGM Inc Website:bigcountry1053.com Internet Audio Stream:LISTEN LIVE! Facilities: 328' 6 kW Service Designation: FM – Full Service FM Station / Class A Transmitter Site:37° 34' 50" N 78° 37' 18" W FCC Facility ID: 85488 Frequency Background:
The original calls were WBCS. The WBNN call letters were from it's now dark sister station WBNN AM 1030 in Union City, Indiana. In August 2000, WBNN signed on 105.3 MHZ as "WBNN 105.3 Big Country." After a one-day April Fools Day stunt on April 1, 2002 as All-Disco "Jammin' 105" and a series of personnel changes, WBNN is now known as "Virginia's Big Country 105.3...Playing Today's New Country & Yesterday's Favorites." It's signal covers Central and Southside Virginia from as far east to Midlothian and Richmond's West End, and west covering Charlottesville and parts of the Shenandoah Valley. WBNN features a unique
blend and a wide variety of new and old country music.
WKJS-FM 105.7 289A
Format: Urban Adult Contemporary On-Air Positioning: 105.7/99.3 Kiss FM Community Of License: Richmond VA Owner: Radio One Website:yestokiss.com Internet Audio Stream: None Facilities: 531' 2.3 kW Service Designation: FM – Full Service FM Station / Class A Transmitter Site: 37° 30' 52" N 77° 30' 28" W FCC Facility ID: 3725 Frequency Background:
In a major station shake-up at midnight on Thursday, November 18, 2004, Radio One shifted Urban AC "Kiss FM" from 104.7/Crewe to displace Urban Oldies "Magic 105.7" WJMO which disappeared from the Richmond airwaves. The new "Kiss FM" also is simulcast on 99.3/Petersburg when the Gospel format there was moved to 104.7/Crewe. Took their new call letters -- WKJM -- on 11/22/04 then the calls went back to the older WJMO-FM and finally to WKJS on 12/14/04. In early 2001, Radio One moved the "Magic" format from 99.3 to 105.7 (WJMO) to take advantage of a better signal. This was also religious WDYL until September, when it moved to 101.1 FM. Its studios are on Emerywood Parkway in Richmond. Once known as Country "The River" WJRV. 105.7 dates back to 1968.
WBTJ 106.5 293B
Format: Urban Contemporary On-Air Positioning: 106-5 The Beat Owner: Clear Channel Community Of License: Richmond VA
HD Radio™:
HD1 -Format: Urban Contemporary On-Air Positioning: 106-5 The Beat HD2 - Format: New Hip Hop and R&B On-Air Positioning: Heat
RDS:
PS (Program Service - Dynamic) THE BEAT + TITLE/ARTIST TA (Traffic Announcement): No PTY (Program Type): URBAN
Website:wbtj.com Internet Audio Stream: Analog/HD1: LISTEN LIVE!HD2:LISTEN LIVE! Facilities: 1233' 7.6 kW Service Designation: FM – Full Service FM Station / Class B Transmitter Site: 37° 30' 14" N 77° 41' 53" W FCC Facility ID: 74168 Frequency Background:
Dropped "Da Trend" for "Heat" on the HD2 channel on 2/12/2008. The change was mostly cosmetic. The Heat features New Hip-Hop and R&B with interviews from artists. Started broadcasting digitally with iBiquity's HD Radio™ technology during the afternoon of 6/18/05 and started its HD2 channel at the end of 10/2006 as New Hip Hop and R&B "Da Trend." Carries the very popular Doug Banks Morning Show. Richmond's 106.5 started broadcasting in 1957. Way back when this was WRFK, Richmond's non-commercial classical and fine arts station. When WCVE (88.9 FM) signed on in 1988, 106.5 became a standard commercial station. After being oldies station WVGO ("Virginia's Golden Oldies") Benchmark Communications acquired the station and flipped to AAA format (the first in Richmond, and the only one for 3 years) in 1991. It was most notable the Sunday night home (for three years) of the late Eric E Stanley's "Bebop Boogie and Blues Revue" and Page Wilson's "Out o'The Blue Radio Revue". These shows consistently won the 7-1AM time period for their entire run on WVGO, even while WVGO's general ratings slipped. (When Stanley's show was revived on 105.7 WJMO in 2001, his show again captured top ratings until he had to stop due to illness from cancer. Wilson's show is also a top ratings getter at its current home on WCVE.) The format unofficially slid into a more alternative format after WBZU 104.7 went on air, and syndicated Howard Stern's show starting in October 1994. In the Spring of 1995 Benchmark sold WVGO-FM and WLEE-FM to Cox, who cancelled Howard Stern (due to poor ratings), shut down WVGO and moved WBZU to that frequency. When they shut down WBZU, they stunted with 24 hours of construction sound effects looping, then a few days as the highly irritating "Sunny 106.5", playing the most annoying songs of the 70s they could find. It switched to oldies as "Cool 106.5" in September 1998 and the WRCL calls in October 1998. On 6/11/2001 they flipped to hip-hop/R&B. Sold by Cox to Clear Channel during the AMFM-Clear Channel merger. Studios now at the Clear Channel complex on Basie Road in Richmond's West End.
WAFX 106.9 295C
Format: Classic Rock On-Air Positioning: 106.9 The Fox Community Of License: Suffolk VA Owner: Saga Communications
HD Radio™:
HD1 -Format: Classic Rock On-Air Positioning: 106.9 The Fox HD2 - Format: TBA On-Air Positioning: TBA
RDS:
PS (Program Service - Dynamic) 106-9 | THE FOX + TITLE/ARTIST TA (Traffic Announcement): No PTY (Program Type): ROCK
Website:wafx.com Internet Audio Stream: Analog/HD1:LISTEN LIVE! Facilities: 1007' 100 kW Service Designation: FM – Full Service FM Station / Class C Transmitter Site: 36° 48' 09" N 76° 45' 19" W FCC Facility ID: 67082 Frequency Background:
Added HD Radio broadcasts early 7/2006. Even though this is a Hampton Roads targeted radio station, it puts out a very strong signal all the way to Richmond and usually garners a 0.5 ~ 1.0 ratings share. Quietly, shifted from Classic Hits to Classic Rock in late September 2004. This was in response to Barnstable Broadcasting's new rocker "100.5 MAX FM" WXMM "straddling both sides of the fence (playing Rock and Classic Rock). There were no major changes to the playlist... Became 'The Fox' in March of 1989. The format was 'classic rock' from 1989 until February 1994 usually going after FM99 WNOR listeners. When the owners of FM99 bought WAFX they shifted the Fox's playlist from classic rock to classic hits. For a couple of years they were known as 'Classic Hits 106.9' but later reverted back to '106.9 The Fox'. This frequency started broadcasting in 1983. The WTID calls used to be here when the station had a country music format. This station also sported the WKIX calls with the 'K(I)X-106' moniker just before flipping to 'The Fox'. WAFX is a RDS station (station moniker only...'106.9 THE FOX').
WBBT-FM 107.3 297A
Format: 70s-60s Hits On-Air Positioning: 107.3 BBT Community Of License: Powhatan VA Owner: Main Line Broadcasting Website:1073bbt.com Internet Audio Stream: None Audio Clips: Problems listening? Right click on link - select "Save Target As..." 1/19/2004 - WBBT-FM: 80s "Star 107" - New Format Teaser - :28 (WMA) Facilities: 328' 6 kW Service Designation: FM – Full Service FM Station / Class A Transmitter Site: 37° 26' 20" N 77° 51' 8" W FCC Facility ID: 31859 Frequency Background:
WBBT/107.3 and WARV/100.3 Petersburg was reimaged as "107.3 BBT - The Greatest Hits of the '60s and '70s." at 12:01 a.m. on 8/27/2007. The station was previous known as "Motown, Soul and Great Rock 'n Roll, Oldies 107.3." The new station received a new imaging voice, and a shift in the musical focus to add more '70s (and some early '80s). At the same time, midday host Matt Nicholls resigned and left the radio business.
Main Line Broadcasting announced on 8/29/05 that it has agreed to purchase the assets of MainQuad Communications (WARV/100.3 Petersburg, WBBT/107.3 Powhatan, WCUL/98.9 Midlothian) and Richmond Broadcasting (WJZV/93.1 Ettrick) for $25M. Dropped 80s on 1/20/2004 at 7:07AM to stunt as "Elvis 107" and debuted Oldies 107-3 on 1/21/2004 at 7:07AM. Oldies 107-3 starts a simulcast on WARV/100.3 Petersburg who dumps all of its sports programming the same day and loses the identity as "ESPN Richmond." Flipped to 80's-90's hits, Star 107.3, in late May of 2001 and later positioned as "Star 107 - The 80's And More..." This station first signed on in mid-June 1999 as 107.3 WXNC "The Beat, Richmond's Dancin' Oldies." Puts in a pretty strong signal to the north and west sides of Richmond. Studio facilities are on Arboretum Place in Richmond.
WHCK-LP 107.7 299L1
Format: Religious On-Air Positioning: Community Of License: Hopewell VA Owner: Essence Of Life Ministries Website: None Internet Audio Stream: None Facilities: 62' .100 kW / LPFM stations are considered nondirectional Service Designation: FL – FM Low Power Application or Authorization / Class L1 Transmitter Site: 37° 15' 12" N 77° 24' 21" W FCC Facility ID: 126745 Frequency Background:
Original construction permit (CP) granted on May 19, 2003. Took the WHCK-LP calls on 11/25/2004. Business address is 1706 Tabb Ave Hopewell VA 23860 804-541-8915.
WBQK 107.9 300A
Format: Classical On-Air Positioning: W-Bach, Williamsburg's Classical Station Community Of License: West Point VA Owner: Davis Media HD Radio™: Not Licensed
RDS:
PS (Program Service) W BACH TA (Traffic Announcement): No PTY (Program Type): CLASSICAL
Website:wbach.net Internet Audio Stream:LISTEN LIVE! Facilities: 328' 6 kW / Directional Antenna Service Designation: FM – Full Service FM Station / Class A Transmitter Site:37° 27' 2" N 76° 48' 48" W FCC Facility ID: 73906 Frequency Background:
After a two month delay, Classical "W-Bach" debuted on 5/1/2006. Changed call letters to WBQK (from WTYD) on 12/9/2005 in anticipation of the format change to Classical as "Williamsburg's Classical, W-Bach" on 3/1/2006. Became "107.9 & 92.3 The Tide" when the owners agreed to purchase Bullseye Broadcasting's 50s-70s Oldies "Surf 92.3" WSRV Deltaville/Gloucester in August 2005 for $850,000 and immediately started a LMA (local marketing agreement). Changed call letters from WWBR to WTYD 5/6/05. Sold to Davis Media, headed up by Thomas G Davis, for $1.125M. WWBR, in the Virginia Beach/Norfolk market, is the first station for Davis Media. Previous owner was Winner Broadcasting, headed by Jim Campana, who passed away. The station was run briefly by his widow Sherry; simulcasting sister station (Bullseye Broadcasting) 50s-70s Oldies "Surf 92.3" WSRV Deltaville. Jim Campana started the station back in 1989, first with Country as WPTG then satellite-fed Soft AC "107.9 FM The Breeze - Hit Music, Light as The Breeze" WWBR in April 2000. Simulcasted urban WWHV-FM/102.1 Virginia Beach VA (a TSA for $11,000/mo) from 2/2/03 to 1/7/05 and was known as "Hot 102.1 & 107.9." Best heard SE of Richmond and on the Peninsula of Hampton Roads.
Format: Christian Talk // WTRU 830 Kernersville/Greensboro NC On-Air Positioning: 830 The Truth Community Of License: Bon Air VA Owner: Truth Broadcasting Website:830wtru.com Internet Audio Stream:LISTEN LIVE! Facilities: .250 kW day | .027 kW night / ND2 - Non-directional Antenna: Different constants day and night Domestic Station Class: B Transmitter Site:37° 30' 52" N 77° 30' 28" W FCC Facility ID: 72504 Frequency Background:
Sold by Chesapeake-Portsmouth Broadcasting Corp (Nancy Epperson) to Truth Broadcasting (Stuart Epperson) in the summer of 2007 for $125K. Returned to the air in late 1/2007 (originally slated for 8/2006) simulcasting sister station Christian Talk "830 The Truth" WTRU Kernersville/Greensboro NC after a major upgrade. Was granted a major change to their license on 12/15/2005 to be relicensed from Lawrenceville VA to Bon Air VA. Was doing Oldies when based in Lawrenceville. Went silent early 2006 for the move to Bon Air. Was to rebe on the air in 8/2006.
WSVS 800
Format: Classic Country/Sports On-Air Positioning: The Train Community Of License: Crewe VA Owner: Gee Communications Website: None Internet Audio Stream: None Facilities: 5 kW day | .275 kW night / ND1 - Non-directional Antenna: Same constants day and night Domestic Station Class: B Transmitter Site: 37° 11' 43" N 78° 10' 1" W FCC Facility ID: 320 Frequency Background:
Was owned by Colonial Broadcasting until early 2005. Dropped "Classic Hit Country" for "The Train" in late 2005 but kept the Classic Country format, serving Southside Virginia since 1948. Puts in a very listenable signal in Richmond during the day. Also broadcasts sports programming like NASCAR, minor league baseball etc...
WGGM 820
Format: Gospel On-Air Positioning: Great Gospel Music Community Of License: Chester VA Owner: Hoffman Communications Website:am820.net Internet Audio Stream:live365.com/stations/wggm?site=wggm Facilities: 10 kW day | 1 kW night / DA2 - Directional Antenna: Different constants day and night Domestic Station Class: B Transmitter Site: 37° 22' 54" N 77° 25' 40" W FCC Facility ID: 27440 Frequency Background:
Dropped Christian Classics/Oldies; Teaching/Ministry on 1/30/2006 for Gospel when WROU/1240 Petersburg dropped Gospel the same morning. Dropped Southern Gospel "The Gospel Giant" for Christian "Your Station For Life" on 9/1/2004. Studios on West Hundred Road in Chester. Started broadcasting in 1964.
WRNL 910
Format: Sports On-Air Positioning: SportsRadio 910, Richmond's Fox Sports Station Community Of License: Richmond VA Owner: Clear Channel Website:sportsradio910.com Internet Audio Stream:LISTEN LIVE Facilities: 5 kW day | 1.5kW night / DAN - Directional Antenna: Nighttime only Domestic Station Class: B Transmitter Site: 37° 36' 50" N 77° 30' 53" W FCC Facility ID: 11960 Frequency Background:
Dumped ESPN programming on April 6, 2001. Features FOX Sports Radio. Studios have moved to the Clear Channel complex on Basie Road. WRNL started broadcasting in 1937. It sported an oldies format in the late 1980s and a rock format in the early 1990s. WRNL and then WRNL-FM (102.1) used to be owned by the Richmond News Leader/Richmond Times Dispatch and featured a top forty format. 910 sported the WRVH calls for a while. Broadcasted the R-Braves games for 17 years until 2001 when terms of a new contract couldn't be reached.
WXGI 950
HD Radio™: Licensed, broadcasting. No multicasting. Format: Sports On-Air Positioning: ESPN Radio 950 Community Of License: Richmond VA Owner: Red Zebra Broadcasting Website:espn950am.com Internet Audio Stream:inter-tainment.com/radio/asx/wxgi.asx Audio Clips: Problems listening? Right click on link - select "Save Target As..." 12/9/2003 3:59PM - WXGI: Classic Country - Earthquake hits LIVE on-the-air :22 (WMA) Facilities: 3.9 kW day | .045 kW night / ND1 - Non-directional Antenna: Same constants day and night Domestic Station Class: D Transmitter Site: 37° 30' 52" N 77° 30' 28" W FCC Facility ID: 74207 Frequency Background:
Announced on 6/1/2006 that Washington Redskins owner Daniel Synder's Red Zebra Broadcasting had agreed to acquire WXGI/950 for $1.4M and immediately started a LMA with Gee Communications until the sale was finalized. Flipped to "ESPN Radio 950" on February 2, 2004. They contemplated flipping to ESPN Radio several times in the past. When MainQuad dropped it on WARV/100.3 on 1/24/2004, the decision was made to drop most of its Classic Country programmimng. It was forever a Classic Country/Bluegrass station with sports programming during the Richmond Braves, Virginia Tech football/basketball and NASCAR seasons. The combination of a new 500' tower, a ground system over 16 acres gives WXGI one of the most powerful AM radio signals in Central Richmond. Gee picked up WXGI in the late 90s for $650K. When doing Classic Country/Bluegrass, the station boasted one of the most loyal audiences in radio and had a huge following of people 55 and over who grew up with the station. WXGI had a large collection of classic country music and has been locally owned and operated since its inception in 1947. WXGI was founded by three World War II Marine Vets with GI bill loans and military surplus radio equipment, hence the call letters "ex-GI." Use to go by "Wolf Country." "ESPN Radio 950" is Central Virginia's only Virginia Tech sports affiliate and is now the flagship station for the Richmond Braves (since 2002), broadcasting all 144 of the R-Braves baseball games, including the All-Star game (when WRNL and the Braves couldn't reach an agreement). Studios are located at 700 German School Road in Richmond.
WLEE 990
Format: News On-Air Positioning: All News 990 Community Of License: Richmond VA Owner: Davidson Media Group Website:allnews990.com Internet Audio Stream:LISTEN LIVE! Facilities: 1.0 kW day | .013 kW night / ND1 - Non-directional Antenna: Same constants day and night Domestic Station Class: D Transmitter Site: 37° 31' 40" N 77° 22' 48" W FCC Facility ID: 50400 Frequency Background:
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted Davidson Media Group's WLEE/990 a change in the station's community of license (COL) from Richmond to East Highland Park on 1/5/2007. In addition to the new COL, the station increased its power from 1kW to 4kW during the day and just 13 watts to 2kW at night. WLEE was doing Southern Gospel as "Joy 990" until 3/5/2007 when it flipped to "All News 990." Was Adult Standards "Unforgettable 990" until late Friday afternoon on 6/10/05 flipping to Southern Gospel "Joy 990." Was own by 4M Communications (RadioRichmond) until November 2004 when the owners sold the entire cluster to two groups. WLEE/990, WVNZ/1320, WTOX/1480 and WREJ/1540 went to Davidson Media for $3.8M and WHAP/1340 went to MainQuad Communications for $200,000. Started simulcast with sister station WHAP/1340 on Thursday, September 2, 2004 when the Talk format shifted to a brand new station on 1480 -- "Talk Radio 1480" WTOX. Concentrated just on "Talk" on April 7, 2003 ("Hot Talk 990" to "TalkRadio 990") around the same time dropping G Gordon Liddy and Jim Jacobs (left the company). Used to be WVNZ until mid-1999 when the WLEE and WVNZ calls swapped frequencies - the WLEE calls going to 990 and WVNZ calls going to co-owned 1320. Studios on West Broad Street in Richmond. Richmond's 990 used to have the WANT call letters and a soul music format. This station dates back to 1951.
WRVA 1140
Format: News/Talk On-Air Positioning: NewsRadio 1140 WRVA Community Of License: Richmond VA Owner: Clear Channel Communications Website:wrva.com Internet Audio Stream:LISTEN LIVE! Facilities: 50 kW unlimited / DA1 - Directional Antenna: Same constants day and night Domestic Station Class: A Transmitter Site: 37° 24' 13" N 77° 18' 59" W FCC Facility ID: 11914 Frequency Background:
A 50,000 watt facility that is easily heard in Eastern Virginia and throughout much of eastern North America at night. Owned by Clear Channel with studios at the Clear Channel complex on Basie Road. It features Rush Limbaugh during the afternoons, "Coast to Coast" with George Noory overnights and airs "Ask The Governor" with Mark Warner on the last Thursday of each month. 1140 is also the Richmond home of the UVA Cavaliers Football and Men's Basketball program and Paul Harvey News and Comment. WRVA is Richmond's oldest radio station; it started broadcasting in 1925. In an interesting sidelight, WRVA used to suffer from Cuban jamming. It was actually directed at Miami station WQBA, also on 1140. Some nights WRVA was hard to hear even in downtown Richmond.
WTPS 1240
Format: Urban News/Talk, Urban Oldies On-Air Positioning: Newstalk 1240, The People's Station Community Of License: Petersburg VA Owner: Radio One Website:newstalk1240wtps.com/ Internet Audio Stream:LISTEN LIVE! Facilities: 1 kW unlimited / ND1 - Non-directional Antenna: Same constants day and night Domestic Station Class: C Transmitter Site: 37° 14' 1" N 77° 22' 36" W FCC Facility ID: 60474 Frequency Background:
Changed call letters from WROU to WTPS to reflect the station's moniker "The People's Station" on 10/25/2007. Dropped Gospel (Your Gospel Connection) on Monday, 1/30/2006 for Radio One's Urban News/Talk network "The People's Station." Plays Urban Oldies late nights and weekends. Ended 10-year LMA with Hoffman Communications December 2005. Co-owned with WCDX, WPZZ, WKJS, WKJM but was run by Hoffman Communications (WGGM/820, WZEZ/100.5) for 10 years 1995-2005. Studios on West Hundred Road in Chester. Dates back to 1945. At one point in time, this was WSSV with a "top 40" contemporary format. Previous calls were WGCV (03/20/2003-03/30/1989), WPLZ 08/15/1986 and WSSV
WDZY 1290
Format: Family Orientated Programming On-Air Positioning: Radio Disney - Music And Prizes That Rock Community Of License: Colonial Heights VA Owner: Radio Disney Group Website:radiodisney.com/WDZYAM1290 Internet Audio Stream: None Facilities: 25 kW day | .041 night / ND1 - Non-directional Antenna: Same constants day and night Domestic Station Class: D Transmitter Site:37° 15' 30" N 77° 23' 40"W FCC Facility ID: 21723 Frequency Background:
Used to be "Starlight Radio" WSTK with a nostalgia/big band format, and in March 1997 flipped to oldies. Also used to be WPVA. First signed on in 1955. Their mailing address: Radio Disney Richmond, One Monument Avenue, 413 Stuart Circle Suite 120, Richmond, VA 23220, (804) 353-7200, Fax: (804) 353-2633. Their studios were previously in Colonial Heights.
WVNZ 1320
Format: Spanish Adult Contemporary On-Air Positioning: Selecta 1320 Community Of License: Richmond VA Owner: Davidson Media Group Website:selecta1320.com Internet Audio Stream:LISTEN LIVE! Facilities: 5 kW day | .008 night / DAD - Directional Antenna: Daytime only Domestic Station Class: D Transmitter Site: 37° 28' 0" N 77° 27' 8" W FCC Facility ID: 52050 Frequency Background:
Was own by 4M Communications (RadioRichmond) until November 2004 when the owners sold the entire cluster to two groups. WLEE/990, WVNZ/1320, WTOX/1480 and WREJ/1540 went to Davidson Media for $3.8M and WHAP/1340 went to MainQuad Communications for $200,000. Was Unforgettable 1320 - Music Of Your Life using Jones until 9/13/03. Previously on the weekends, they offered Spanish/ethnic programming (La Primera 1320), including broadcasting all Sunday home games of the Richmond Braves Triple-A baseball team. Was known as 'The Source AM 1320' when it was all news. Flipped to Standards in July 2001 in anticipation of Salem Communications flipping WVBB (1380) from Standards to right-wing Talk (or Religious) later in the summer. WLEE used to run its own oldies format on 1320 but in mid-1999 this frequency became WVNZ 'All News-Talk' which used to be at 990. 1320 had been an existing frequency going back to the 50s. At one time in the 60's and 70's, they were country WEET, but had also tried EZ listening and all news in the early 80's which didn't work. When 1480 went dark in 1989, 1320 assumed the WLEE call letters, studio assets, airstaff and format but that
arrangement didn't last long and 1320/WLEE shifted in a talk format right around 1990.
WHAP 1340
Format: Variety (Gospel/Urban Oldies/Latin/Talk) On-Air Positioning: WHAP 1340 Community Of License: Hopewell VA Owner: PT Brown Broadcasting Website:whapradio.com Internet Audio Stream: None Facilities: 1 kW unlimited / ND1 - Non-directional Antenna: Same constants day and night Domestic Station Class: C Transmitter Site: 37° 17' 46" N 77° 18' 50" W FCC Facility ID: 33900 Frequency Background:
WHAP/1340 was sold to PT Brown Broadcasting for $150,000 by MainQuad Communications in the spring of 2007. The station returned to the air in mid-March 2007 airing tape-delayed segments recorded from sister station WCLM/1450 in Highland Springs.
Went silent by Silver Dolphin Communications on Thursday 8/17/2006 for the lack of financing. Silver Dolphin Communications of Midlothian announced on 5/23/2006 that it agreed to purchase WHAP/1340 from MainQuad Communications. Through an agreement with MainQuad, Silver Dolphin put the station back on the air at noon with a Traditional Country format on 6/1/2006 after being off the air for nearly 10 months.
Was announced that WHAP/1340 was to be sold to Benjamin-Dane fro