WRMR (FM)

WRMR
Broadcast areaCape Fear–Wilmington–Jacksonville
Frequency98.7 MHz
BrandingModern Rock 98.7
Programming
FormatModern rock
AffiliationsCompass Media Networks
Ownership
OwnerSunrise Broadcasting
WAZO, WILT, WKXB, WMFD
History
First air date
April 28, 1965; 59 years ago (1965-04-28)[1]
Former call signs
  • WLGD (2008–2011)
  • WILT (2005–2008)
  • WKOO (1989–2005)
  • WRCM-FM (1965–1989)
[2][3]
Call sign meaning
Modern Rock or Rock Music Radio
Technical information[4]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID47884
ClassC1
ERP100,000 watts
HAAT297 meters (974 feet)
Transmitter coordinates
34°29′41″N 77°29′19″W / 34.49472°N 77.48861°W / 34.49472; -77.48861
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen live
Websitewww.modernrock987.com

WRMR (98.7 MHz) is an FM radio station broadcasting a modern rock format. Licensed to Jacksonville, North Carolina, United States, the station serves the Wilmington and Jacksonville areas. Since October 2008, the station has been owned by Sunrise Broadcasting, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Capitol Broadcasting Company of Raleigh, North Carolina, according to FCC filings.[5] The signal can heard as far south as Myrtle Beach and as far west as Fayetteville.

History

In the 1980s, the station played a country music format as WRCM-FM, ("Country 98.7 FM"). The station switched to an oldies format in 1989 as WKOO ("Kool 98.7").

On April 5, 2005, the format was switched to Westwood One soft adult contemporary ("Lite 98.7"), and the call sign was changed to WILT.[6] The WKOO letters and Westwood One oldies format moved to WANG-FM.[7] Starting July 24, 2006, "Will FM" played adult hits. As of March 31, 2008, the WILT letters and "Will FM" format were moved to the former WRQR in Wilmington.[6]

On March 13, 2008, the call sign was changed to WLGD.[2] La Gran D (The Big One) broadcast a Spanish language format featuring popular music, news, and community programming for an area that had a Hispanic population estimated at over 130,000.[8] WLGD featured local live programming as well as satellite based syndicated programs. Station Manager Jeff Sanchez presented a bilingual talk show on Sunday afternoons, as well as a groundbreaking bilingual show on Wednesday nights at 7 called "Union Cultural" which attempted to bridge the cultural gap between the American and Hispanic communities in the Wilmington area. Every week the music of a different American or English artist was featured, and short bios were presented in English and Spanish to give a context in which to understand the artist's impact.[citation needed]

In July 2008, Capitol Broadcasting Company announced its purchase of NextMedia Group's Wilmington area stations.[9] The sale was completed on October 1, 2008.[10]

However, due to FCC regulations on local ownership, WLGD was placed in a trust managed by Tom Campbell’s Carolina Broadcasting & Publishing Inc. that lasted until 2010 when Capitol sold WSFM to Sea-Comm Media.[11]

On January 3, 2011, "Coastal Carolina's Modern Rock 98.7" debuted, taking the place of WSFM following the sale of that station & subsequent change over to WUIN. Brian Schimmel of Sunrise Broadcasting said the station would focus more on the 1990s than newer songs, and the target audience would be slightly older. The station would focus on the community with local hosts. The format, including commercials, would be "family-friendly".[12]

On January 25, 2011, WLGD changed its call sign to WRMR.

References

  1. ^ 1989 Broadcasting yearbook p. B-216
  2. ^ a b "Call Sign History". Retrieved January 6, 2011.
  3. ^ 1968 Broadcasting Yearbook, p. B-119
  4. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WRMR". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  5. ^ "Application Search Details BALH-20080718AFO". Federal Communications Commission . Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Wilmington, NC - 104.5 Will FM - Variety Hits". Retrieved April 10, 2008.
  7. ^ "New Bern/Morehead City - SAM 105.1 - Variety Hits". Retrieved April 10, 2008.
  8. ^ "Spanish Radio Station Debuts," The Daily Reflector, April 1, 2008.
  9. ^ "Capitol Broadcasting acquires seven radio stations in deals worth nearly $13M". July 16, 2008. Retrieved September 22, 2008.
  10. ^ "Application Search Details BALH-20080718AFO". Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
  11. ^ RBR-TVBR (August 19, 2009). "Sunrise finds parking space for WLGD-FM | Radio & Television Business Report". Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  12. ^ Royal, Judy (December 1, 2010). "Surf 98.3 changing to Coastal Carolina's Modern Rock 98.7". Star-News. Retrieved October 8, 2024.