WPLY (AM)

Last updated
WPLY
Broadcast area
Frequency 610 kHz
BrandingSports Radio Virginia
Programming
Format Sports
Affiliations
Ownership
OwnerMel Wheeler, Inc.
WFIR, WPLI, WSLC-FM, WSLQ, WVBB, WVBE-FM, WXLK, WZZU
History
First air date
October 1, 1940;84 years ago (1940-10-01)
Former call signs
  • WSLS (1940–1972)
  • WSLC (1972–2002)
  • WVBE (2002–2016)
Call sign meaning
PLaY
Technical information [1]
Licensing authority
 FCC
Facility ID 41111
Class B
Power
  • 5,000 watts (day)
  • 1,000 watts (night)
Transmitter coordinates
 37°18′11.0″N80°2′33.0″W / 37.303056°N 80.042500°W / 37.303056; -80.042500
Translator(s) 101.1 W266CY (Roanoke)
Repeater(s) 1390  WPLI (Lynchburg)
Links
Public license information
Webcast Listen Live
Website sportsradiova.com

WPLY (610 kHz) is a commercial AM radio station licensed to Roanoke, Virginia, and serving Southwest Virginia and the New River Valley. WPLY simulcasts a sports radio format with WPLI 1390 AM in Lynchburg. Both stations are owned and operated by Mel Wheeler, Inc. [2] Most programming is supplied by Fox Sports Radio.

Contents

By day, WPLY transmits 5,000 watts, but at night (when radio waves travel farther) it reduces power to 1,000 watts to protect other stations on 610 AM. WPLY has a directional antenna, using a five-tower array. The transmitter is at the end of Newman Drive in Salem. [3] Programming is also heard on 175-watt FM translator W266CY at 101.1 MHz in Roanoke. [4]

History

WSLC Country

Just before noon on October 1, 1940;84 years ago, the station signed on. [5] The original call sign was WSLS. [6] During the "Golden Age of Radio," the station carried programs from the NBC Blue Network, dramas, comedies, news, sports, soap operas, game shows and big band broadcasts. (The Blue Network later became ABC.) A partner FM station, 99.1 WSLS-FM, launched in 1947, largely simulcasting the AM station. WSLS-TV followed five years later on Channel 10.

As network programming moved from radio to television, 610 WSLS switched to a full service, Country music format. In 1969, Park Communications purchased WSLS-AM-FM-TV. Due to FCC ownership restrictions, Park kept the television station and sold the radio stations to Bass Brothers Telecasters. As the stations could no longer share a call sign after the purchase, the AM became WSLC at midnight on August 1, 1972, keeping its country sound. The FM switched to album-oriented rock and briefly became WSLC-FM before settling on current call sign WSLQ. Only the TV station still carries the original call letters. [7] Mel Wheeler purchased the two stations in 1976. [8]

Urban AC and Sports

At noon on May 25, 2000, WSLC began simulcasting with its new sister station 94.9 WSLC-FM, formerly easy listening turned classic rock station WPVR, after that station was purchased by Mel Wheeler Inc. This continued until March 13, 2002, when the country format moved full-time to WSLC-FM. 610 WSLC was flipped to new call letters as WVBE, simulcasting co-owned 100.1 WVBE-FM Lynchburg, and brought urban adult contemporary and R&B music full-time to Roanoke. [9]

Former logo WPLY Sportsradio610-101.1-98.5 logo.png
Former logo

On January 20, 2016, the station dropped its Urban AC format for sports talk with the new call sign WPLY. The station became an affiliate of Fox Sports Radio. [10] [11] [12]

Related Research Articles

WPLI is a commercial radio station licensed to Lynchburg, Virginia. WPLI simulcasts a sports radio format with WPLY 610 AM in Roanoke. Both stations are owned and operated by Mel Wheeler, Inc. Most programming is supplied by Fox Sports Radio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WSLC-FM</span> Radio station in Roanoke, Virginia

WSLC-FM is a commercial radio station licensed to Roanoke, Virginia and serving the Roanoke Valley and New River Valley. WSLC-FM is owned and operated by Mel Wheeler, Inc. It airs a country music radio format, using the moniker "94.9 Star Country." WSLC-FM's studios and offices are on Electric Road in Roanoke. The transmitter is off Honeysuckle Road in Bent Mountain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WXLK</span> Radio station in Roanoke, Virginia

WXLK is a commercial radio station licensed to Roanoke, Virginia, serving the New River Valley and Southwest Virginia. WXLK airs a Top 40 (CHR) radio format and is owned and operated by Mel Wheeler, Inc.

WFIR is a commercial radio station licensed to Roanoke, Virginia, and serving the Roanoke Valley. It airs a news/talk radio format and is owned and operated by Mel Wheeler, Inc. WFIR's studios and offices are on Electric Road in Roanoke. Programming is also heard on two FM translators: W297BC 107.3 MHz, off Catawba Valley Drive in Roanoke, and W233CK 94.5 MHz in Troutville.

WVMP is a commercial radio station licensed to Vinton, Virginia, and serving the Roanoke metropolitan area. WVMP is owned by Todd P. Robinson's WVJT, LLC. It broadcasts a Christian talk and teaching radio format, with some programming provided by the Salem Radio Network. National religious leaders heard on WVMP include Greg Laurie, David Jeremiah, John MacArthur, Alistair Begg and Chuck Swindoll

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WBRF</span> Radio station in Virginia, United States

WBRF is a commercial radio station licensed to Galax, Virginia, and serving Southwestern Virginia, Southside Virginia and the western Piedmont Triad, including Winston-Salem. It is owned and operated by Blue Ridge Radio, Inc., with studios and offices on Poplar Knob Road in Galax. WBRF plays a mix of Classic country, Bluegrass and Americana music. Most programming is simulcast on WKBA 1550 and 93.1 in the Roanoke, Virginia.

WBCN, branded as "ESPN Southwest Florida", is a commercial AM radio station broadcasting a sports radio format. Licensed to North Fort Myers, Florida, the station is owned by Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc., through licensee Beasley Media Group, LLC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WVTF</span> Public radio station in Roanoke, Virginia

WVTF is a non-commercial educational radio station licensed to serve Roanoke, Virginia, featuring a public radio format branded "Radio IQ". Owned by Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University through its fundraising arm, the Virginia Tech Foundation, the station carries programming from NPR, the Public Radio Exchange, American Public Media and the BBC World Service. WVTF is a listener-supported station, holding periodic fundraisers on the air. The studios and offices are on Kingsbury Lane in Roanoke.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WVBE-FM</span> Radio station in Lynchburg, Virginia

WVBE-FM is a commercial radio station licensed to Lynchburg, Virginia, and serving Metro Lynchburg. It is owned and operated by Mel Wheeler, Inc., with studios and offices on Electric Road in Roanoke. WVBE-FM 100.1 and WVBB 97.7 in Elliston-Lafayette, Virginia, simulcast an urban adult contemporary radio format, with WVBB serving the Roanoke metropolitan area. Each weekday in AM drive time, The Vibe carries The Steve Harvey Morning Show.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WSLQ</span> Radio station in Virginia, United States

WSLQ is a commercial radio station licensed to Roanoke, Virginia, serving the New River Valley and Southwest Virginia. The station airs an adult contemporary radio format, switching to Christmas music for much of November and December. It is owned and operated by Mel Wheeler, Inc., with studios and offices on Electric Road in Roanoke. WSLQ's transmitter is off Honeysuckle Road in Bent Mountain.

WZZU is a commercial radio station licensed to Lynchburg, Virginia. It broadcasts an active rock format and is owned and operated by Mel Wheeler, Inc. The studios and offices are on Electric Road SW in Roanoke, Virginia.

WJJS is a commercial FM radio station licensed to Salem, Virginia, and serving the Roanoke metropolitan area. WJJS has a rhythmic Top 40 radio format and is owned and operated by iHeartMedia, Inc. Programming is simulcast with co-owned 102.7 WJJX in Appomattox, Virginia, serving the Lynchburg metropolitan area. The radio studios and offices are on Old Forest Road in Lynchburg and its transmitter is located on Luckett Street near Shenandoah Ave in Roanoke.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WYYD</span> Radio station in Amherst, Virginia

WYYD is a commercial FM radio station licensed to Amherst, Virginia, and serving the Roanoke-Lynchburg media market. WYYD airs a country music radio format and is owned and operated by iHeartMedia. Monday through Saturday mornings, the station carries The Bobby Bones Show, based in Nashville and syndicated by Premiere Networks, an iHeart subsidiary. Overnight, it carries After Midnite with Granger Smith.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WRON-FM</span> Radio station in Lewisburg, West Virginia

WRON-FM is a country formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Lewisburg, West Virginia, serving the Lewisburg/Ronceverte/Rainelle/Union area. WRON-FM is owned and operated by Radio Greenbrier, Inc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WVBB</span> Radio station in Elliston-Lafayette, Virginia

WVBB is a commercial radio station licensed to Elliston-Lafayette, Virginia, and serving the Roanoke metropolitan area. It is owned and operated by Mel Wheeler, Inc., with studios and offices on Electric Road in Roanoke. WVBB and sister station WVBE-FM 100.1 Lynchburg simulcast an urban adult contemporary radio format. In weekday AM drive time, the stations carry The Steve Harvey Morning Show.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WLGX (FM)</span> Radio station in Bedford, Virginia

WLGX is an FM radio station licensed to Bedford, Virginia, and serving Bedford County and the suburbs of Roanoke. It broadcasts the national "K-Love" Contemporary Christian radio format. WLGX is owned by Educational Media Foundation. While the station is licensed for commercial operation, K-Love operates on a listener-supported basis and runs no commercials.

WMNA is a commercial AM radio station in Gretna, Virginia, serving Southside Virginia and Northern Pittsylvania County, Virginia. It is owned and operated by 3 Daughters Media. WMNA has a sports radio format, simulcast with sister station WVGM 1320 AM and 93.3 FM in Lynchburg. Most programming comes from Infinity Sports Network. It also broadcasts car races from the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Performance Racing Network (PRN)

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WCHZ-FM</span> Radio station in Warrenton, Georgia

WCHZ-FM is a radio station broadcasting a classic hip hop format. Licensed to Warrenton, Georgia, the station goes by the name "Hot 95.5/93.1" and is owned by Beasley Media Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WWTF</span> Radio station in Georgetown, Kentucky

WWTF is a commercial radio station broadcasting an active rock and alternative rock radio format. Licensed to Georgetown, Kentucky, United States, WWTF serves the Lexington Metro Area. The station is currently owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. WWTF programming is simulcast on FM translator W249DJ at 97.7 MHz. Since most listening to rock music is on FM, the station uses its FM dial position to identify itself, as "97.7 Lexington's Rock Alternative."

WEJS is a classic country radio station in Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, United States branded "Bigfoot Legends." WEJS' first air date was August 1, 1979.

References

  1. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for WPLY". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ↑ "WPLY Facility Record". Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  3. ↑ Radio-Locator.com/WPLY
  4. ↑ Radio-Locator.com/W266CY
  5. ↑ "Wsls Am". Roanokeradio.com. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  6. ↑ Broadcasting Yearbook 1950 page 311, Broadcasting & Cable
  7. ↑ "WSLC AM 610". Roanokeradio.com. 1972-08-01. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  8. ↑ "FCC History Cards for WPLY".
  9. ↑ "610 WSLC drops country WSLC-FM for Urban AC WVBE-FM | Format Change Archive". Formatchange.com. 12 March 2002. Retrieved 2016-01-30.
  10. ↑ "Roanoke getting another all-sports radio station". www.roanoke.com. Retrieved 2016-01-23.
  11. ↑ "Roanoke Gets Second Sports Station". Insideradio.com. Retrieved 2016-01-23.
  12. ↑ "Wheeler Launches New Sports Station In Roanoke". RadioInsight. Retrieved 2016-01-23.
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