WVRX (104.9 FM) is a Southern Gospel formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Strasburg, Virginia, serving the Northern Shenandoah Valley.[1] WVRX is owned by Point FM Ministries.[5][2][6] WVRX simulcasts sister station WVRS.
| Simulcast of WVRS Gore, VA | |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Northern Shenandoah Valley |
| Frequency | 104.9 FM MHz |
| Branding | The Point FM |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Format | Southern Gospel[1] |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| WVRS | |
| History | |
First air date | November 4, 1986 (as WESI) |
Former call signs |
|
| Technical information[4] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 60362 |
| Class | A |
| ERP | 4,100 watts |
| HAAT | 65.7 meters (216 ft) |
Transmitter coordinates | 39°1′6.0″N 78°25′35.0″W / 39.018333°N 78.426389°W |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | WVRX Webstream |
| Website | WVRX Online |
History
editOn January 31, 2018, the then-WZFC changed their format from classic country to a simulcast of sister news/talk station WINC (1400 AM) in nearby Winchester.[7]
On November 17, 2020, both WZFC and sister station WXBN (105.5 FM) became a simulcast of WINC-FM (92.5 FM) and its hot adult contemporary format. WINC-FM's programming was migrated to the two stations in anticipation of the sale of the 92.5 FM signal to the Educational Media Foundation.[8][9]
Upon the sale of the 92.5 FM signal to EMF, Centennial transferred the WINC-FM call letters to 105.5 FM.
On April 30, 2021, Centennial Broadcasting announced it was selling WINC-FM (105.5 FM) and sister-station WZFC to Fairfax, Virginia-based Metro Radio, Inc. for $225,000.[5][10] Fellow sister station WINC was not included in the sale.[5][10] Allen B. Shaw, Centennial's President and CEO, said in a May 2021 interview with The Winchester Star that Metro Radio, Inc. had had assured Shaw "they do not intend to" change the format of WINC-FM and WZFC.[11] Shaw further said Metro thought WINC-FM's format was "probably the best format for the Winchester market" for ad revenue.[11]
On June 30, coincident with the consummation of the sale to Metro Radio,[12] long-time morning show host Barry Lee signed off after 37 years at the station.[13] Hours later, long-time afternoon host Paula Kidwell would also sign off.[14] The same day, the callsign was changed from WZFC to WKDV-FM to match new sister station WKDV, licensed to Manassas.[3]
On September 30, just three months after Metro Radio purchased the station (and sister WINC-FM), Metro entered into an agreement to sell WKDV-FM to Point FM Ministries for $125,000.[2][12][15][16] Point FM Ministries owns locally based, Southern Gospel-formatted WVRS.[2][15][16][17] Metro Radio will retain WINC-FM.[2] The sale was consummated on December 17, 2021.
On January 13, 2022, the station changed its call sign to WVRX, and the station changed its programming to a simulcast of new sister station WVRS.
References
edit- ^ a b "Arbitron Station Information Profiles". Nielsen Audio/Nielsen Holdings. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e Venta, Lance (October 1, 2021). "Station Sales Week Of 10/1". RadioInsight/RadioBB Networks. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
- ^ a b "Call Sign History". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
- ^ "Facility Technical Data for WVRX". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- ^ a b c Venta, Lance (April 30, 2021). "Metro Radio Inc. Acquires WINC-FM". RadioInsight/RadioBB Networks. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ^ "WVRX Facility Record". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
- ^ Venta, Lance (January 31, 2018). "WZFC Flips To Simulcast Of 1400 WINC". RadioInsight/RadioBB Networks. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
- ^ Venta, Lance (October 8, 2020). "Educational Media Foundation Acquires WINC-FM". RadioInsight/RadioBB Networks. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
- ^ Venta, Lance (November 17, 2020). "WINC-FM Begins Frequency Move Ahead Of EMF Sale". RadioInsight/RadioBB Networks. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
- ^ a b "Assignment of Authorization". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. April 30, 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
- ^ a b Powell, Mickey (May 5, 2021). "WINC-FM and its sister station to be sold to Fairfax firm". The Winchester Star. Winchester, Virginia: Ogden Newspapers. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
- ^ a b "Notification of Consummation". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. July 7, 2021. Retrieved July 7, 2021.
- ^ Venta, Lance (June 30, 2021). "Barry Lee Retires From WINC-FM Mornings After 37 Years". RadioInsight/RadioBB Networks. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
- ^ "Today is my last day on WINC FM..." Paula Kidwell/Centennial Broadcasting/Facebook. June 30, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
- ^ a b "Assignment of Authorization". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. September 30, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
- ^ a b "Asset Purchase Agreement". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. September 8, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
- ^ "Other Broadcast Interests". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. September 8, 2021. Retrieved October 2, 2021.
External links
edit- Facility details for Facility ID 60362 (WVRX) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
- WVRX in Nielsen Audio's FM station database