DE Radio: WOLC 102.5 Goes Silent Today

WOLC 102.5 FM, which currently operates as Princess Anne-based Christian radio station “Joy! 102.5 FM,” is scheudled to go solent Tuesday and cease operations.

Delmarva’s CBS-TV affiliate, WBOC, announced plans to acquire the station last week. “Joy!” will have its final live broadcast Tuesday, Aug. 18, at 9 a.m. for 30 minutes or longer before the station goes silent, according to delmarvanow.com.

“Joy!” general manager Deborah Byrd and board member Robert Shores will host the show.

“We have decided that we will have a brief on air discussion between myself and a board member at 9 a.m. and will go off the air permanently thereafter,” Byrd said. “That means WOLC in its Christian format will not return to the air, pending closing of the deal with WBOC.”

The station has encountered some financial trouble in recent years and cut back to a full-time staff of just two people this past April.

WOLC 102.5 FM (50 Kw) Red=Local Coverage Area

The sale is contingent upon regulatory approval but is expected to close later this year. The acquisition was announced Thursday, Aug. 13, by WBOC-TV Vice President and General Manager Craig Jahelka.

Jahelka couldn’t say when WBOC would be taking over WOLC, but expects the purchase to be complete “sometime during this year’s fourth quarter.”

“The current owners still operate the station until the FCC approves the purchase,” Jahelka said.