As we first reported in Friday’s Daily Domains, iHeartMedia has brought a fourth Country outlet to Richmond.
“Big 98.5” W253BI/102.1 WRXL-HD2 launched at 9am this morning kicking off with the usual 10,000 songs-in-a-row commercial free. Positioned as “Richmond’s New Country”, W253BI joins a crowded Country field in the market that already includes SummitMedia’s “K95” WKHK and Alpha Media’s “98.9/100.3 The Wolf” WLFV/WARV-FM and Classic Country “93.1 Hank-FM” WWLB.
With WLFV/WARV-FM already carrying The Bobby Bones Show in mornings it will be interesting to see if iHeart makes a move to transfer their show to W253BI.
Original Report 7/24: iHeartMedia has dropped the simulcast of News/Talk 1140 WRVA Richmond on 98.5 W253BI Glen Allen, VA.
W253BI is currently stunting with construction sounds and redirecting WRVA listeners back to the AM signal while promoting a new format to debut on Monday, July 27 at 9:00am. The 250 watt W253BI has switched its originating station to 102.1 WRXL-HD2.
W253BI debuted in May 2014 bringing WRVA’s programming to FM in Richmond and its northern and western suburbs (Coverage Map).
