WLVM

WLVM (98.3 FM) is an American radio station licensed to serve the community of Chickasaw, Alabama, and broadcasting to the Mobile metropolitan area. The station is owned by the Educational Media Foundation.

Programming

WLVM began broadcasting a Christian Contemporary music format branded as "K-LOVE" on July 15, 2012. The shift from the previous urban adult contemporary music format was a result of a multi-station deal that saw the programming formerly on WDLT-FM move to WABD (now WDLT-FM, 104.1 FM), the contemporary hit radio format on WABD move to WLVM (now WABD, 97.5 FM), and the Christian programming on WLVM move to WDLT-FM.

History

In 1980, this station was constructed with the assigned callsign WTUX. By the time it signed on, the call letters had been changed to WJQY and the station operated as "Joy-FM", a light music station. Initial license holder was the late broadcaster W.H. ("Bill") Phillips, who opened the station on a tiny patch of land annexed to the city of Chickasaw that actually was located in Mobile. Programmed by Detroit, Michigan, radio legend Bob Martin, it suffered from a low 3,000 watt signal. Even after beating crosstown rival, WLPR-FM, in its first ratings period, station ownership decided to switch to a new country music format and renamed the station "Q Country". This format faced tough local competition from market leader WKSJ-FM.