WVCW (FM)
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Facility ID | 14374 |
Class | B |
ERP | |
HAAT | 152 meters (499 ft) |
Transmitter coordinates | 39°50′2.4″N 75°31′25.7″W / 39.834000°N 75.523806°W |
Translator(s) | See § Translators |
Links | |
Public license information | |
Webcast | Listen live |
Website | www |
WVCW (99.5
History
On January 31, 1957, WJBR signed on as a stand-alone FM station, with no AM counterpart.[5] It was founded by a father and son team, John B. Reynolds Sr. and John B. Reynolds Jr.[6] The call sign was based on the founders' initials. John Sr. began the radio station because his son was "a strong believer in the future of FM".[6] The station originally broadcast a classical and light music format.[7] WJBR's format eventually evolved into beautiful music and the station was branded as JBR 100.[7] It used the slogan "Just Beautiful Radio".
In 1976, the Reynolds family acquired another Wilmington radio station, WTUX, to combine with WJBR.
In the early 1980s, WJBR-AM-FM added more soft vocals to attract a younger audience. John B Reynolds Jr. sold WJBR-AM-FM in 1985 to CRB Broadcasting, which completed the transition from easy listening to an all-vocal
In March 2000, Capstar sold WJBR-FM to the NextMedia Group for $32.4 million.[9] Capstar retained WJBR, and later merged into Clear Channel Communications, which was renamed iHeartMedia. The AM station is now a Fox Sports Radio station, WWTX, and remains owned by iHeartMedia.
In February 2007, Beasley Broadcast Group acquired WJBR-FM from NextMedia for a reported $42 million.[10]
In August 2023, Beasley agreed to sell WJBR-FM to VCY America for $5 million, marking VCY's entrance into both the Philadelphia/Wilmington area.[11] The final day for the on-air staff was October 4; two staffers, Justin Franiak and Eric Johnson, remained with Beasley in Philadelphia at WXTU and WMGK respectively.[12] An automated version of WJBR-FM's programming would continue on the station's website and the second HD Radio channel of WBEN-FM in Philadelphia;[12][13] Beasley also moved the WJBR call sign to an AM radio station in Seffner–Tampa, Florida,[14] while VCY America relaunched 99.5 as WVCW,[13] a call sign that took effect on October 7.
HD Radio and translators
As WJBR-FM, the station's second HD Radio channel formerly broadcast a Spanish rhythmic / tropical format branded as Maxima 104.1, which was simulcast on a translator in Millville, New Jersey, W281CM (104.1). Its third channel broadcast a gospel format branded as Philly's Favor 100.7, which was simulcast on a translator in Mount Holly, New Jersey, W264BH (100.7 FM), which broadcast to the Philadelphia radio market.[15] After the sale, the station turned off the HD channels. But the HD2 subchannel was turned back on with VCY Spanish programming.
References
- ^ "Facility Technical Data for WVCW". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- ^ "FCC 335-FM Digital Notification [WJBR-FM]". fcc.gov. Federal Communications Commission. September 4, 2011. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
- ^ "54 dBu Service Contour for WVCW, Wilmington, DE, 99.5 MHz BMLH-20080516AAX". fcc.gov. Federal Communications Commission. January 28, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
- ^ "FM Query Results for WVCW". fcc.gov. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
- ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1958 page A-258
- ^ a b "History of WJBR". wjbr.com. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
- ^ a b "BROADCASTING Scrapbook Blog". racampbell.tripod.com. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
- ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1977 page C-38
- ^ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2001 page D-82
- ^ "Beasley Broadcast Group (BBGI) to Acquire NextMedia Group". streetinsider.com. October 3, 2006. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
- ^ Venta, Lance (August 15, 2023). "VCY America Acquires WJBR". RadioInsight. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
- ^ a b Venta, Lance (October 4, 2023). "Deanna & Justin Depart WJBR With Sale". RadioInsight. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
- ^ a b "News Bites: Gary Fisher, WJBR, ESPN Radio, 'LABF Radio & Podcast Power Session.'". Inside Radio. October 6, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- ^ Venta, Lance (September 22, 2023). "Beasley Launches Podcast Radio In Four Markets". RadioInsight. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- ^ Venta, Lance (May 27, 2020). "A Gospel Favor Debuts In Philadelphia". RadioInsight. Retrieved November 5, 2023.