WRFK
Encyclopedia
WRFK was the callsign for an FM broadcast radio station
in Richmond, Virginia
. As a non-profit station in 1958, it was originally assigned to 91.1 MHz in the non-commercial band by the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC). The station was owned and operated by Union Theological Seminary & Presbyterian School of Christian Education
.
Initially, WRFK was a part-time endeavor run by students of the seminary. In 1971 a community group called "Save Fine Music" began to oppose the transfer of the license of another Richmond area station, WFMV
. WFMV had a fine music (classical) format throughout its existence, as well as a small, but loyal and influential listener group. However, it was not profitable as a commercial enterprise. The new owners of WFMV
, EZ Communications, Inc., wanted to switch to a format more likely to be profitable. As part of the solution to the WFMV
sale, WRFK was approached by members of the Save Fine Music group and subsequently agreed to assume the classical music format, which was already similar to its own. WRFK was given the WFMV
library by EZ Communications, increased its hours of operation, and became a National Public Radio (NPR) affiliate. This worked out very well for about 17 years, during a period in which FM radio stations became much more popular, and therefore, much more valuable.
In the late 1980s, a decision was made by the school to sell the increasingly valuable commercial frequency. After careful coordination with its classical music listeners and arrangements made for a new station to carry on the format, WRFK was sold to commercial interests in 1988. The new owners of the former WRFK changed both the format and the call sign. The new classical music station (and NPR affiliate) became WCVE-FM
and temporarily moved to 101.1 MHz. It then moved to 88.9 MHz in November, 1989. It was operated by the Commonwealth Public Broadcasting Company, the local PBS
affiliate which also operated WCVE-TV
(Channel 23). Headed by Virginia broadcasting pioneer Bill W. Spiller, the new WCVE-FM transmitter, tower, and studios were located at the Channel 23/57 complex located at 23 Sesame Street in Bon Air.
Grete Dollitz's program, "An Hour With the Guitar" was originally on WFMV, and later on WRFK. After more than 30 years, it is still heard on WCVE-FM, a National Public Radio (NPR) affiliate.
The 106.5 frequency has gone thru a plethora of owners and formats and is now owned by Clear Channel and is now Urban formatted WBTJ. ( see listing for WBTJ
for a complete history of the 106.5 frequency in Richmond )
The old WRFK tower is now a being used by a wireless internet company, and the former WRFK studios are currently occupied by non-commercial WAUQ-FM .
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
in Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
. As a non-profit station in 1958, it was originally assigned to 91.1 MHz in the non-commercial band by the Federal Communications Commission
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
(FCC). The station was owned and operated by Union Theological Seminary & Presbyterian School of Christian Education
Union Theological Seminary & Presbyterian School of Christian Education
Union Presbyterian Seminary, located on the near north side of the city of Richmond, Virginia, is a theological seminary of the Presbyterian Church...
.
History
The station started in 1959 using elements donated by two commercial Richmond stations, the disgarded FM frequency of WLEE ( who didn't want an FM station ), and the former Wilkerson Rd studio and tower of WRNL-AM ( who had moved to larger facilities on Bethlehem Rd )Initially, WRFK was a part-time endeavor run by students of the seminary. In 1971 a community group called "Save Fine Music" began to oppose the transfer of the license of another Richmond area station, WFMV
WFMV
WFMV, known as "Gospel 95.3", is a full-time urban contemporary gospel station simulcast located in the Midlands region of South Carolina. WFMV is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to South Congaree, a small village located near Columbia to broadcast on 95.3 FM. WFMV broadcasts...
. WFMV had a fine music (classical) format throughout its existence, as well as a small, but loyal and influential listener group. However, it was not profitable as a commercial enterprise. The new owners of WFMV
WFMV
WFMV, known as "Gospel 95.3", is a full-time urban contemporary gospel station simulcast located in the Midlands region of South Carolina. WFMV is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to South Congaree, a small village located near Columbia to broadcast on 95.3 FM. WFMV broadcasts...
, EZ Communications, Inc., wanted to switch to a format more likely to be profitable. As part of the solution to the WFMV
WFMV
WFMV, known as "Gospel 95.3", is a full-time urban contemporary gospel station simulcast located in the Midlands region of South Carolina. WFMV is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to South Congaree, a small village located near Columbia to broadcast on 95.3 FM. WFMV broadcasts...
sale, WRFK was approached by members of the Save Fine Music group and subsequently agreed to assume the classical music format, which was already similar to its own. WRFK was given the WFMV
WFMV
WFMV, known as "Gospel 95.3", is a full-time urban contemporary gospel station simulcast located in the Midlands region of South Carolina. WFMV is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to South Congaree, a small village located near Columbia to broadcast on 95.3 FM. WFMV broadcasts...
library by EZ Communications, increased its hours of operation, and became a National Public Radio (NPR) affiliate. This worked out very well for about 17 years, during a period in which FM radio stations became much more popular, and therefore, much more valuable.
In the late 1980s, a decision was made by the school to sell the increasingly valuable commercial frequency. After careful coordination with its classical music listeners and arrangements made for a new station to carry on the format, WRFK was sold to commercial interests in 1988. The new owners of the former WRFK changed both the format and the call sign. The new classical music station (and NPR affiliate) became WCVE-FM
WCVE-FM
WCVE-FM is a public radio formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Richmond, Virginia, serving the Metro Richmond area. WCVE-FM is owned and operated by Commonwealth Public Broadcasting Corporation....
and temporarily moved to 101.1 MHz. It then moved to 88.9 MHz in November, 1989. It was operated by the Commonwealth Public Broadcasting Company, the local PBS
Public Broadcasting Service
The Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia....
affiliate which also operated WCVE-TV
WCVE-TV
WCVE-TV is a Public Broadcasting Service member public television station licensed to Richmond, Virginia. It broadcasts on channel 23 and is owned by Commonwealth Public Broadcasting Corporation. The station is a member of PBS, of which WCVE-TV became a charter member. The station signed on for...
(Channel 23). Headed by Virginia broadcasting pioneer Bill W. Spiller, the new WCVE-FM transmitter, tower, and studios were located at the Channel 23/57 complex located at 23 Sesame Street in Bon Air.
Grete Dollitz's program, "An Hour With the Guitar" was originally on WFMV, and later on WRFK. After more than 30 years, it is still heard on WCVE-FM, a National Public Radio (NPR) affiliate.
The 106.5 frequency has gone thru a plethora of owners and formats and is now owned by Clear Channel and is now Urban formatted WBTJ. ( see listing for WBTJ
WBTJ
WBTJ is a Mainstream Urban formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Richmond, Virginia, serving the Richmond/Petersburg area. WBTJ is owned and operated by Clear Channel Communications....
for a complete history of the 106.5 frequency in Richmond )
The old WRFK tower is now a being used by a wireless internet company, and the former WRFK studios are currently occupied by non-commercial WAUQ-FM .