WPWC explained

WPWC
City:Dumfries-Triangle, Virginia
Country:US
Area:Southern Prince William County, Virginia
Western Charles County, Maryland
Branding:Brava 1480
Frequency:1480 kHz
Format:Spanish Regional Mexicano
Power:5,000 Watts daytime
500 Watts nighttime
Class:B
Facility Id:25995
Coordinates:38.5683°N -77.3389°W
Callsign Meaning:W Prince William County
Former Callsigns:WQVA (1962–1974)
Former Frequencies:1530 kHz (1962–1979)
Owner:WASP Productions
Licensee:Amin Segundo
Licensing Authority:FCC

WPWC is a Spanish Urban formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Dumfries-Triangle, Virginia, serving Southern Prince William County, Virginia and Western Charles County, Maryland. WPWC is owned by Amin Segundo's Smart Media.[1]

History

WPWC signed on in 1961 as WQVA, a 250-watt daytimer broadcasting on 1530 kHz and licensed to Quantico, Virginia. WQVA was first owned by Harold Hersch, W.T. Merchant, and H. Ewing Wall's Radio One Company, later WQVA, Inc. It was sold to Raymond W. Woolfenden's Happy Broadcasting Company in 1974, changing to its current call sign at the same time. A move to the current 1480 kHz occurred in 1979 along with a power upgrade. WPWC ran a country format from 1974 through 2000. That year, Woolfenden sold the station to JMK Communications of Los Angeles, California.[2] [3]

From January 2012 through 2016, WPWC gained notoriety by running a progressive talk format known as We Act Radio.[4] [5] WPWC features "Take Action News with David Shuster" produced live from We Act Radio's studios in the Anacostia neighborhood of Southeast, Washington, D.C.[6]

On May 6, 2012, WPWC added The Union Edge, "Labor's Talk Radio," to their line up.[7]

On September 16, 2012, WPWC started producing "Pivot Point with Maya Rockeymoore," a live public affairs radio show dedicated to aging issues and their intersection with politics, public policy, and popular culture.

On February 20, 2013, We Act Radio started producing the Rock Newman Show from their Anacostia studio.[8] [9]

Two of WPWC's four towers collapsed on October 21, 2016, causing $140,000 in damage. At the time, it had dropped the progressive talk format and was broadcasting a Spanish-language Christian format under the name "Radio Sion". We Act Radio continues as an Internet stream.

On October 10, 2023, Brava 1480 started broadcasting Tropical/Urban music from their Dumfries studios, bringing along their best format for Urban Spanish music.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: WPWC Facility Record. Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  2. News: WPWC Radio towers collapse. Potomac Local. 21 October 2016.
  3. Web site: WQVA/WPWC history card. FCC.
  4. Web site: Crashing the Gates: How a Handful of Progressive Activists Brought Liberal Talk-Radio Back to the Nation's Capitol. February 4, 2012. February 27, 2012. Holland. Joshua. AlterNet.
  5. Web site: DC gets new progressive talker. January 3, 2012. February 27, 2012. Radio Business Report, Inc..
  6. Web site: "We Act" from Anacostia. January 3, 2012. March 31, 2012. East Of The River Magazine.
  7. Web site: Tune in to The Union Edge in D.C.. May 6, 2012. May 20, 2012. AFL-CIO NOW.
  8. Web site: Rock Newman returns to D.C. for new radio show — with a little help from old friends. February 27, 2013. May 12, 2013. Washington Post.
  9. Web site: Rock Newman to Start Radio Show. February 20, 2013. May 12, 2013. Washington Post.