List of radio stations in Virginia

The list of radio stations in Virginia comprises all full-power commercial and non-commercial AM and FM stations, low-power FM (LPFM) stations, FM translators, and boosters licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to serve communities across the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of November 2025, there are approximately 395 such stations operating in the state, reflecting a diverse broadcasting landscape that includes music, news, talk, sports, and public affairs programming.^[1] These stations are concentrated in major markets such as the Norfolk–Virginia Beach–Newport News metropolitan area (Nielsen radio rank #45, serving over 1.8 million people), Richmond (rank #53), and Roanoke–Lynchburg (rank #121), with northern Virginia communities also falling within the expansive Washington, D.C. market (rank #8).^[2] Virginia's radio sector is regulated under FCC rules to ensure local service, spectrum allocation, and competition, supporting both urban hubs like Hampton Roads and rural areas in the Appalachian region. Notable aspects include a growing number of non-commercial educational stations statewide and the prevalence of translators extending FM signals to underserved areas.^[3]

Introduction

Overview of Radio Broadcasting in Virginia

Radio broadcasting in Virginia encompasses approximately 400 FCC-licensed stations as of late 2025, including about 100 AM stations, 170 full-service FM stations, 45 low-power FM (LPFM) stations, and over 140 FM translators and boosters.^[4][5][6][1] This diverse array supports a mix of commercial and non-commercial programming across the state, serving both urban and rural audiences. The state's major radio markets include the Washington D.C. metro area encompassing Northern Virginia, Richmond (ranked 53rd nationally), and Norfolk-Virginia Beach-Newport News (ranked 46th in the 2024-2025 Nielsen survey).^[7][2] Smaller but significant markets such as Roanoke, Charlottesville, and Harrisonburg contribute to localized coverage, with the Norfolk market alone reaching a population of about 1.45 million.^[7] Listener trends show high radio penetration in urban areas, particularly Northern Virginia due to heavy commuter traffic and the Tidewater region (including Norfolk and Virginia Beach), where stations provide essential updates on traffic, weather, and news.^[8] Popular formats statewide include country, which dominates in markets like Richmond and Winchester, news/talk for informational content, and contemporary hit radio (CHR) appealing to younger demographics.^[9][10][11] Economically, radio advertising in Virginia supports local businesses, with average spot prices ranging from $15 to $500 depending on market size and time slot, as seen in smaller stations and larger metros like Richmond and Norfolk.^[12][13][14] These rates enable targeted campaigns that bolster community economies in key markets.

Historical Development

The history of radio broadcasting in Virginia began in the early 1920s with experimental transmissions, but the state's first commercial station, WTAR in Norfolk, signed on in September 1923 under the ownership of the Ledger-Dispatch newspaper.^[15] This was followed by WDBJ in Roanoke, which launched on June 20, 1924, as a low-power operation initially serving as a promotional tool for the Richardson-Wayland Electrical Corporation to boost radio sales.^[16][17] The station, broadcasting at around 20 watts on 1310 kHz, featured local programming such as live music from Roanoke bands and quickly became a hub for regional content.^[18] By late 1925, Virginia's radio landscape expanded further with the debut of WRVA in Richmond on November 2, marking it as the third commercial station in the state.^[19] Owned by the Larus & Brother tobacco company and operating with a 1,000-watt transmitter—the most powerful in Virginia at the time—WRVA earned the nickname "Voice of Virginia" for its statewide reach and focus on agricultural and community programming.^[20][21] During the network era of the 1930s, stations across Virginia formed key affiliations with major broadcasters; for instance, WRVA joined the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) in 1927 before switching to the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) in 1937, while WTAR aligned with CBS in 1930 and later NBC in 1934.^[22][19] These partnerships brought national shows to local audiences, enhancing programming diversity amid the Great Depression. Post-World War II growth spurred significant advancements, particularly in FM broadcasting, as the Federal Communications Commission allocated new frequencies to reduce AM interference.^[23] Early FM adopters included stations in southwest Virginia, such as WCPI-FM in Bristol, which signed on in 1947 offering clearer sound for rural listeners.^[23] The 1950s saw further FM proliferation, complementing AM's dominance, while the 1960s introduced popular music formats; WLEE in Richmond emerged as a leading Top 40 station, capturing youth audiences with hits from artists like Bobby Lewis and Bobby Vee.^[24][25] The turn of the 21st century marked a digital shift for Virginia's radio industry, with stations adopting HD Radio technology in the mid-2000s to multicast additional channels and improve audio quality under FCC guidelines established in 2007.^[26] Concurrently, online streaming became widespread, allowing stations like those in Richmond and Roanoke to extend reach beyond traditional signals.^[27] This evolution culminated in milestones such as the 2024 centennial celebration of Roanoke radio, commemorating WDBJ/WFIR's original 1924 broadcast with events highlighting a century of local influence.^[28]

Regulatory Framework

FCC Licensing and Oversight

All radio stations operating in Virginia are licensed exclusively by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), an independent agency established under the Communications Act of 1934 to regulate interstate and foreign communications by wire and radio, ensuring efficient use of the spectrum in the public interest.^[29][30] Virginia has no state-level licensing body for radio broadcasting, as authority resides solely at the federal level, with the state operating entirely within the Eastern Time Zone for broadcast scheduling and operations. The FCC's licensing process for AM and FM stations, including low-power FM (LPFM), is managed through the Universal Licensing System (ULS), an electronic filing platform where applicants submit forms such as FCC Form 301 for new commercial stations or FCC Form 318 for LPFM construction permits.^[31] Obtaining a construction permit requires comprehensive engineering analyses to predict and mitigate potential interference with existing stations, including signal propagation studies, contour overlap calculations, and compliance with minimum distance separations outlined in FCC rules.^[32][33] Once constructed and operational, full licenses are issued for an eight-year term, with renewal applications (FCC Form 303-S for commercial stations) due four months before expiration; stations must provide public notice of the filing via on-air announcements, website postings, and community postings to allow for petitions to deny.^[34] In Virginia, FCC oversight includes routine monitoring and enforcement actions to ensure compliance with licensing conditions. For instance, on June 6, 2025, the FCC's Media Bureau approved a consent decree with Air Mix Virginia, the licensee of LPFM station WVAI-LP in Charlottesville, resolving an investigation into violations of noncommercial educational rules by airing prohibited commercial content; the agreement required a $1,500 voluntary contribution to the U.S. Treasury and implementation of compliance measures.^[35] The FCC also publishes quarterly reports on licensed broadcast stations nationwide, providing totals that reflect the scale of operations; the March 31, 2025, report documented 4,367 AM stations, 6,747 commercial FM stations, and 859 noncommercial educational FM stations across the U.S., offering a benchmark for state-level assessments like Virginia's radio landscape.^[36][37] To allocate new spectrum for radio stations, the FCC conducts competitive bidding auctions for construction permits, prioritizing underserved areas to promote diverse programming. Auction 109, held in 2021, offered 135 FM construction permits nationwide, including allotments in rural communities such as those in Southwest Virginia (e.g., potential channels in areas like Galax), enabling new noncommercial and low-power stations to serve remote populations with limited existing coverage.^[38] Subsequent rulemaking proceedings have continued to propose FM channel substitutions and new allotments in rural Virginia to address spectrum efficiency and local service needs.^[39]

Ownership and Format Regulations

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) imposes limits on radio station ownership to promote diversity and competition in local markets. Under the local radio ownership rule, in the largest markets with 45 or more full-power commercial stations, an entity may own up to eight commercial radio stations, with no more than five in the same service (AM or FM). These caps scale down for smaller markets: in markets with 30 to 44 stations, up to seven total with no more than four in the same service; in markets with 15 to 29 stations, up to six total with no more than four in the same service; and in markets with 14 or fewer stations, up to five total with no more than three in the same service. These rules, part of the FCC's ongoing quadrennial review as of 2025, aim to prevent undue concentration while adapting to digital media competition.^[40][41] The Telecommunications Act of 1996 significantly relaxed national ownership caps by eliminating numerical limits on radio station ownership nationwide, which spurred widespread consolidation subject to local market rules. In Virginia, this led to major groups acquiring clusters in key markets; for instance, in Richmond, Audacy Inc. now owns seven stations following mergers and acquisitions in the late 2010s. Such consolidation has raised concerns about reduced local programming, prompting FCC localism policies that require stations to maintain a main studio in or near their community of license and document service to local needs through public inspection files, including issues/programs lists for license renewals every eight years. Additionally, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) rules mandate annual public file reports on recruitment efforts, with stations in the DC-Maryland-Virginia-West Virginia renewal group facing a June 2, 2025, deadline for the period covering June 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025.^{[42][43][44][45]} Radio formats in Virginia are not mandated by the FCC for commercial stations, which operate under broad public interest obligations to inform, educate, and entertain without specific content quotas. Non-commercial educational (NCE) stations, however, must focus on educational programming to retain their reserved spectrum access. This flexibility has fostered format diversity across the state: country music dominates rural areas like the Shenandoah Valley and Southside, with stations emphasizing local artists and events; news/talk formats prevail in urban centers such as Richmond and Norfolk, providing coverage of state politics and traffic; and Northern Virginia features robust ethnic programming, including Spanish-language and international broadcasts serving the diverse Washington, D.C., metro population.^[46][47] Recent regulatory and fiscal changes have strained Virginia's public radio sector. In 2025, congressional rescissions eliminated over $1 billion in advance appropriations to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), directly impacting NPR affiliates like WVTF in Roanoke and VPM in Richmond, where federal grants constitute 10-15% of budgets for some stations, leading to cuts exceeding 10% in operational funding and potential reductions in local journalism. These cuts, part of a broader $9 billion rescission package, have prompted Virginia stations to seek alternative fundraising amid concerns for rural service continuity.^[48][49]

Active Stations

AM Stations

As of 2025, Virginia hosts approximately 100 active AM radio stations, operating primarily on clear-channel and regional frequencies across the medium-wave band from 540 kHz to 1700 kHz. These stations serve diverse markets, from urban centers like Richmond and Norfolk to rural areas in the Shenandoah Valley, with formats dominated by news/talk, sports, and religious programming. Many utilize directional antennas and vary power output between daytime and nighttime to comply with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations aimed at reducing co-channel interference, particularly on shared regional channels. In Northern Virginia, operators encounter heightened interference issues due to the close proximity of high-power stations in the Washington, D.C. market, which can limit signal clarity and coverage for local broadcasters.^[50][51] The stations below are organized in a table sortable by call sign, frequency, city of license, licensee, and format. This representative selection highlights key examples, including Virginia's most powerful and historically significant AM outlet; a comprehensive FCC-licensed list is available via the agency's AM Query tool.^[4] WRVA stands out as Virginia's oldest continuously operating AM station, signing on in 1925 and serving as a clear-channel powerhouse with statewide and regional reach.^[52][20]

FM and Low-Power FM Stations

FM radio stations in Virginia operate within the 88 to 108 MHz frequency band, providing high-fidelity stereo broadcasting with coverage determined by effective radiated power (ERP), which ranges from 1.25 kW for Class A stations to 50 kW for Class C facilities serving larger markets. Low-power FM (LPFM) stations, introduced by the FCC in 2000 and expanded in 2013, are limited to 100 watts ERP and emphasize non-commercial, community-based programming to fill local gaps without interfering with full-power signals. As of late 2025, Virginia is home to approximately 280 active FM and LPFM stations, including numerous translators that rebroadcast AM or primary FM signals to extend coverage in rural areas.^[53][54] These stations are grouped by major market areas, which align with Arbitron-defined regions and reflect Virginia's urban-rural divide. Formats vary widely, from commercial music genres dominating urban signals to public radio and niche community content on LPFM outlets. Coverage details are influenced by terrain, with Appalachian stations often using directional antennas to navigate valleys, while coastal markets like Norfolk benefit from flatter propagation paths.

Northern Virginia Market

Serving the densely populated suburbs adjacent to Washington, D.C., this market includes over 50 FM and LPFM stations, many simulcasting D.C. signals but with local Virginia-licensed operations focusing on regional news, traffic, and music. Key examples include WAVA 105.1 FM in Arlington, broadcasting a religious format with inspirational talk and music, owned by Salem Media Group and reaching into Fairfax and Loudoun counties with a 50 kW signal. WWWT 107.7 FM in Manassas delivers news programming from Hubbard Radio, covering Prince William County with emphasis on local government and commuter updates, operating at 29,000 watts ERP.^[55] For LPFM, WERA-LP 96.7 FM in Arlington provides multicultural ethnic programming, serving immigrant communities with a 100-watt signal limited to a few-mile radius. Translators like W275BO 102.9 FM in Reston rebroadcast WTOP's news format, enhancing urban accessibility.

Richmond Market

Richmond's FM dial features around 40 stations, blending urban contemporary, country, and public formats amid the state's capital region. WRVQ 94.5 FM, licensed to Audacy, Inc., airs top-40 contemporary hits at 200,000 watts ERP, covering Henrico and Chesterfield counties with strong signal penetration into Petersburg.^[56] WKHK 95.3 FM in Colonial Heights, operated by iHeartMedia, programs country music, reaching rural listeners in Dinwiddie County via a 6 kW non-directional antenna.^[57] Public station WCVE-FM 88.9 FM, part of the VPM network, offers NPR news and classical music statewide, with 21 kW ERP serving as a hub for central Virginia. LPFM examples include WRIR-LP 97.3 FM, a community outlet by Richmond Independent Media focusing on local artists and eclectic shows, broadcasting at 100 watts to the city core. WDCE 90.1 FM, University of Richmond's college station, mixes alternative rock and specialty programming, covering the campus and surrounding areas at low power.^[58]

Norfolk-Virginia Beach Market

This coastal market, the state's largest, hosts about 60 FM and LPFM stations, emphasizing rhythmic, adult contemporary, and sports formats amid the Hampton Roads ports. WVKL 95.7 FM in Norfolk, owned by iHeartMedia, delivers urban adult contemporary R&B at 11.5 kW, serving Virginia Beach and Chesapeake with a focus on local events.^[59] WNOR-FM 98.7 FM, also iHeartMedia, programs classic rock, reaching Suffolk and Portsmouth with 100 kW for broad tidal coverage. WHRV 89.5 FM provides NPR public radio as part of the Hampton Roads affiliate network, operating at 25 kW to link with WHRO-FM 90.3 FM's educational content.^[60] LPFM station WEBI-LP 91.5 FM in Virginia Beach offers religious programming, community-limited at 100 watts.^[61] Translators such as W237FM 95.3 FM extend AM WPCE's gospel signal across the urban sprawl.

Roanoke Market

In the Roanoke Valley, approximately 30 FM and LPFM stations cater to a mountainous terrain, with signals often boosted by translators for Blue Ridge coverage. WVTF 89.1 FM, the flagship of Virginia Tech's public radio network, broadcasts NPR news, classical, and local journalism at 23.5 kW, extending statewide via 10+ repeaters like 90.7 WEHC in Abingdon.^[62] WROV 96.3 FM, iHeartMedia's classic rock station, serves Roanoke and Lynchburg at 4.5 kW with a focus on album-oriented programming.^[63] WIQO-FM 100.9 FM in Forest airs country music, owned by Mel Wheeler Inc., covering Bedford County at 6 kW. LPFM outlet WROE-LP 95.7 FM in Roanoke delivers community news and music at 100 watts, emphasizing local volunteer hosts. Rural translators, such as W245BG 96.9 FM, rebroadcast WVTF to remote Appalachian communities.

Other Markets and Statewide Notes

Smaller markets like Charlottesville (e.g., WHTE-FM 101.9 FM, country at 4.5 kW) and Staunton (WCYK-FM 99.7 FM, classic hits) contribute to the state's FM diversity, with over 100 additional stations in southwest and eastern regions. LPFM stations, totaling around 50 statewide, prioritize underserved voices, such as WFOG-LP 95.9 FM in Floyd for folk and bluegrass.^[61] Many translators, exceeding 100 in number, support AM rebroadcasts, ensuring hybrid coverage in areas with challenging FM propagation.^[5] Overall, FM's dominance in music and local content contrasts with AM's talk focus, with stereo capabilities enhancing listener engagement across Virginia's varied landscapes. As of late 2025, station counts and formats reflect FCC licensing data.^[64]

Defunct Stations

Defunct AM Stations

Over the history of radio broadcasting in Virginia, dozens of AM stations have ceased operations, reflecting shifts in technology, audience preferences, and economic viability. The Federal Communications Commission's database records 13 AM station license deletions in the state since 2010, with many more predating modern digital records from the early 20th century.^[65] Closures of AM stations in Virginia have frequently resulted from economic pressures, such as declining advertising revenue and high utility costs for maintaining analog transmissions, exacerbated by the rise of FM broadcasting for music formats.^[66] The 1996 Telecommunications Act enabled widespread mergers and ownership consolidations, leading to the shutdown of underperforming or redundant stations to streamline operations. Additionally, inherent challenges with AM signals, including nighttime interference and power reduction requirements, have contributed to the medium's overall decline, prompting many owners to abandon AM licenses in favor of FM or digital alternatives.^[67] Notable examples illustrate the diverse historical roles and fates of these stations. WLEE (1480 AM) in Richmond, a pioneering Top 40 station that dominated local airwaves from the 1960s through the 1970s, signed off permanently in 1989, after 41 years of operation, succumbing to competition from emerging FM outlets.^[68] WCLM (1450 AM) in Richmond, the city's last independent Black-owned station, went off the air in December 2017 after 21 years, unable to sustain operations amid financial difficulties.^[69] Other examples from the past decade encompass WMVA (1450 AM) in Martinsville, deleted from FCC records in July 2021 following economic challenges, and WHKT (1010 AM) in Portsmouth, which went silent on December 15, 2021, due to operational cutbacks.^[65] More recent deletions include WKEY (1340 AM) in Covington and WXCF (1230 AM) in Clifton Forge on November 14, 2024, and WVAX (1450 AM) in Charlottesville on February 13, 2025.^[65] Historical materials from Virginia's early AM stations, including scripts, recordings, and operational documents, are preserved in the Library of Virginia's collections, such as the WRVA Radio Station archives spanning 1925 to 1968, offering valuable insights into the state's broadcasting heritage and the significance of defunct outlets.^[21]

Defunct FM Stations

Defunct FM stations in Virginia encompass a range of historical broadcasts, from early experimental operations in the 1940s to later commercial ventures that succumbed to economic pressures, format shifts, and industry consolidation. Many initial FM licenses were issued during the post-World War II era, but numerous stations went silent as FM technology struggled against the established AM infrastructure and limited receiver availability. The Federal Communications Commission documented several such early efforts, with operations often lasting only a few years before deletion from records. Later defunct stations reflect broader trends in media ownership changes and audience migration to newer formats or digital media. Representative examples of defunct FM stations are listed below, drawn from historical records across different regions of the state. These illustrate the diversity of formats and the transient nature of some FM licenses. Note that some early stations transitioned to new callsigns rather than fully ceasing operations. These stations highlight how Virginia's FM landscape evolved, with early defunct outlets paving the way for the more robust network seen today, though many licenses were surrendered due to financial challenges or FCC reallocations.