Roanoke Radio: Wheeler Stations Top Ratings

Arbitron is sending good vibrations to Electric Road.

According to roanoke.com, not only is Star Country WSLC 94.9 FMstill the top-rated radio station in the Roanoke-Lynchburg market, one of its sister stations posted its best-ever showing in the spring survey.

Urban contemporary station the WVBB-FM Vibe 97.7/100.1 FM has taken over the number-two spot on the radio charts — its highest ranking ever.

Star Country and the Vibe are both owned by Mel Wheeler Inc., which houses five stations under one roof on Electric Road in Southwest Roanoke County.

In fact, Wheeler stations took four of the top five spots in the spring survey. Adult contemporary Q99 WSLQ 99.1 FM was third, and Clear Channel-owned rock station WROV 96.3 FM was fourth in the survey.

Several factors have helped the Vibe climb five spots in four years. The station added the Montgomery County-based 97.7 frequency in 2011, which boosted its coverage in Roanoke and Roanoke County. The station gave away more cash, concert tickets and prizes than ever during the ratings period, a promotional lure that most stations use to attract listeners. The station gave away $10,000 in cash alone.

And, according to programming director Kianna Price Wade, the station introduced newer music to its playlist to appeal to a younger audience sought by advertisers.

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