WVNZ (AM) explained

WVNZ
Above:Simulcast of WULT Sandston
City:Highland Springs, Virginia
Area:Metro Richmond
Branding:Ultra Richmond
Frequency:1450 kHz
Airdate:1964 (as WRGM)
Format:Spanish CHR
Power:960 watts unlimited
Class:C
Licensing Authority:FCC
Facility Id:73728
Coordinates:37.5444°N -77.3461°W
Owner:Mike Mazursky
Licensee:Mobile Radio Partners, Inc.
Sister Stations:WBTL, WTOX, WULT
Website:ultraradiorichmond.com

WVNZ (1450 kHz) is a Spanish CHR formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Highland Springs, Virginia, serving Metro Richmond. WVNZ is owned and operated by Mike Mazursky, through licensee Mobile Radio Partners, Inc.[1]

History

On November 9, 2015, the then-WREJ went silent (off the air). Its previous black gospel format moved to sister station WLEE 990 AM, replacing news/talk.

On February 4, 2016, WREJ swapped call signs with its sister station, assuming the WLEE call sign. The station changed its call sign to WONA on March 15, 2016.

Effective June 28, 2016, Davidson Media Group donated WONA to the Delmarva Educational Association.

On October 31, 2017, Mobile Radio Partners, Inc. finalized the purchase of WONA from Delmarva Educational Association, at a price of $25,000. They changed the station's call sign to WBTL on the same day. On November 6, 2017, WBTL returned to the air with rhythmic oldies, branded as "U Win Radio" (simulcasting WUWN 1450 AM Highland Springs).[2]

On March 14, 2018, WBTL and WUWN changed format from rhythmic oldies to oldies, branded as "Boomtown Radio".[3]

WBTL changed its call sign to WULT on August 27, 2018 (with WUWN picking up the WBTL call sign). The station also moved its community of license from Richmond to Sandston. The station changed back to the WBTL call sign on September 11, 2018.

On June 26, 2023, WBTL changed its call sign to WVNZ. On July 24, 2023, the station changed its format from oldies (which continued on WBTL 1320 AM Richmond) to a simulcast of Spanish CHR-formatted WULT 1540 AM Sandston.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: WVNZ Facility Record. Federal Communications Commission, audio division.
  2. https://radioinsight.com/headlines/120846/rhythmic-oldies-launches-richmond-duo/ Rhythmic Oldies Launches on Richmond AM Duo
  3. https://radioinsight.com/headlines/167108/wbtl-wuwn-richmond-become-boomtown-radio/ WBTL/WUWN Richmond Become Boomtown Radio
  4. https://radioinsight.com/headlines/255793/1480-the-line-brings-sports-betting-to-richmond/ 1480 The Line Brings Sports Betting to Richmond