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 (FCC) to South Congaree, a small village located near Columbia to broadcast on 95.3 FM. WFMV broadcasts with 6 kW. of power. Its studios are located just east of downtown Columbia and the transmitter is in Red Bank.

Programming

WFMV offers mostly contemporary gospel music with some classics, from artists such as CeCe Winans, Smokie Norful, Mary Mary, Shirley Caesar, John P. Kee, The Georgia Mass Choir, and Kirk Franklin.

Informational programming includes "The Morning Inspirations", "Wellness Watch", "Real Power" (for voters), "Kid's Korner" and "Watchdog" (for consumers). On weekends, "I-95" covers community issues.

WFMV is part of the Glory Radio Network along with WTUA, WLJI, WPDT and WSPX.

Translator

WFMV is relayed by an additional translator to widen its broadcast area.

History

In early 1991, WKWQ (now known as WZMJ) changed frequencies from 95.3 to 93.1, leaving the 95.3 frequency open. The frequency was reallocated to South Congaree by the FCC and after 2 years, the license was awarded to Glory Communications, a group led by former WWDM sales manager/media specialist Alex Snipe. WFMV signed on the air October 29, 1993 with its present format. The call letters, WFMV, had been previously assigned to an FM radio station in Blairstown, New Jersey.

WFMV (defunct)

WFMV was the callsign for an FM broadcast radio station in Richmond, Virginia from 1961 to 1971. One of the most favorably equipped of Virginia's early FM stations, it was Virginia's first station to broadcast in stereo. WFMV had a fine music (classical) format throughout its existence, as well as a small, but loyal and influential listener group.

New owners changed the callsign in 1970 (to WEZS) and the format in 1971 (to Easy Listening). However, groups of listeners and employees followed the station (or at least its music library and format) through 2 changes to its current place on a non-commercial frequency as WCVE-FM, an NPR member.

The WFMV callsign was later reassigned by the FCC to an FM station in Blairstown, New Jersey, and then in 1993 to a station in South Carolina.

History

Virginia's first stereo radio station

New technology was added to FM radio in the early 1960s to allow FM stereo transmissions, where the frequency modulated radio signal is used to carry stereophonic sound, using the pilot-tone multiplex system. WFMV was the first radio station in Virginia to broadcast in multiplex stereo. At 103.7 MHz, it was licensed for 74,000 watts. The transmitter site, which was favorably located on high ground (200 ft above sea level) west of Richmond in the woods off Old Bon Air Road in Chesterfield County near Bon Air, had a tower extending another 125' and signals could be heard in Charlottesville, about 70 miles away.