VA Radio: Alpha Media Exits Richmond Market

In a move that doubles its capacity to deliver news, public affairs programming and classical, jazz music and other cultural programs to listeners throughout Central Virginia, Commonwealth Public Broadcasting Corporation (CPBC), the nonprofit organization that broadcasts national and local public radio and television programs in the region, agreed to purchase from Alpha Media two additional FM radio stations, WBBT 107.3 FM and WWLB 93.1 FM.

In the coming months, we will be providing twice as many listening options. 88.9 FM will feature news, talk and information around the clock. 107.3 and 93.1 will carry 24 hours of music: classical through the day, jazz during weeknights, along with blues, folk and Americana on the weekends.

While we work to develop staffing and specific program lineup, 107.3 and 93.1 will carry a simulcast of 88.9 WCVE’s current programming.

The new formats are expected to begin on all three stations in June 2018.

More About The Programming Changes

• 88.9 WCVE will be re-programmed to an all-news and talk format (WCVE News), continuing to broadcast such NPR programs as “Morning Edition”, “All Things Considered”, and “Fresh Air” and American Public Media’s (APM) “Marketplace.” Added to the 24/7 news and talk channel will be programs such as “Marketplace Weekend,” “Here and Now”, “BBC News”, CBC Radio’s “As it Happens”, and cultural talk shows “Only a Game”, “The Big Listen” and “The Splendid Table.”

• 107.3 WBBT and 93.1 WWLB will simulcast exclusively music programs (WCVE Music), especially those airing classical and jazz music, including APM’s “Performance Today”. Local music hosts will fill more hours of the day with classical music and jazz host Peter Solomon will claim the evenings. With so many more hours available for music, weekend favorites, such as Ian Stewart’s “The World Music Show” and Steve Clark’s “Sound of Swing” will be joined by additional local and national music shows.