WSVM

WSVM
City of license Valdese, North Carolina
Branding 1490 V-Radio
Frequency 1490 kHz
First air date October 6, 1961
Format Classic hits
Power 1,000 watts
Class C
Facility ID 32392
Transmitter coordinates 35°44′03″N 81°34′04″W / 35.73417°N 81.56778°W
Callsign meaning Wireless Serving Valdese & Morganton
Affiliations Classic Hits (Cumulus)
Owner Bert Lindsay
Webcast Listen Live
Website www.1490vradio.com

WSVM (1490 AM; "1490 V-Radio") is a radio station broadcasting a classic hits format, Licensed to Valdese, North Carolina, USA, it serves Burke and Caldwell counties. The station is owned by Bert Lindsay.

History

WSVM signed on October 6, 1961.[1]

The station's call letters are said to stand for "We Serve Valdese Merchants". Another popular belief is the letters mean "We Serve Valdese, Morganton".

During most of the first decade of the 21st century, WSVM aired the Timeless format.

In August 2008, GHB Broadcasting was selling WSVM to Radio Emmanuel, and the format was to be changed to Christian music, with most of the programming in Spanish.[2] This did not happen.

In later years, local programming on WSVM included Clegg and Company, hosted by Jerry Clegg, and The Trading Post.

WSVM ceased operations May 31, 2010 for the "immediate future." The last song was "May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You" by Jim Reeves.

The station came back on the air September 1, 2010 by Bannon Broadcasting Company of Hudson operates and manages the day-to-day operation. Jim Bannon operated WSVM with classic hits of the decades of the 1960s, 1970's and 1980s (rock oldies), plus high school sports. WSVM calls itself V-radio for Valdese. The station is automated except for the "Breakfast Club" morning show. and a few other local programs.

After Bannon Broadcasting Company decided to allow its lease on WSVM to expire on January 2, 2012, GHB of Waxhaw reached a deal to sell the station to the town of Valdese, which planned to use the property for an expansion of a neighboring cemetery.[3] Bert Lindsay bought the WSVM broadcast license from GHB and began running the station prior to the sale's becoming finalized on September 27, 2012 at a purchase price of $12,000. He continued the station's format, including The Trading Post from 10 to 11 six mornings a week, as well as Draughn High School sports; East Burke High School sports will be added. Also being considered are beach music and doo-wop programs, and the return of the Beatles Brunch. The town is leasing the property as well as broadcast equipment to WSVM; the cemetery probably will not expand for at least 10 years[4]

References

  1. ↑ Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1989 (PDF). 1989. p. B-220. Retrieved June 1, 2010.
  2. ↑ John Dayberry, "Valdese Radio Station Changes Owners, Format," Morganton News-Herald, July 20, 2008.
  3. ↑ "Valdese eyes buying WSVM property". The News Herald. December 30, 2011. Retrieved January 3, 2012.
  4. ↑ Chang, Julie N. (July 21, 2012). "Bert Lindsay buys WSVM's radio license". The News Herald. Retrieved July 25, 2012.

External links