WVBC 88.1 FM

Bethany College, Bethany House, Bethany, WV, WV, US
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(304) 829-7562

Capacity: 250000

Bio: Bethany College 88.1 FM was the beacon for Alternative, New Wave, Indie, and Underground music for the Ohio Valley, Steubenville, and Wheeling, and heard as far north as Columbiana County, Ohio and as far east as Pittsburgh and beyond. It began in the 1960s, the heyday was the 1980s thru early 1990s, broadcasting at 1,100 watts effective radiated output power. It was true local programming with local DJs and local recording artists, a heavy focus on alternative, underground and indie music. It was known as Airwaves Away from Ordinary, 88.1, the Alternative Route, and the valley's Adventurous FM, and the Unique FM, as it dared to be different. It featured eclectic radio shows such as, "The Underground", "Ish", "Technical Beats" and "Monday Night Dance Mix" among others, as well as sports and news coverage. It eventually went web-only in 2010 after being fined and having its license revoked by the FCC for being off-air for an extended period without permission. Its sister-stations that broadcast similar formats included several stations such as, 100.7 WXXP, New Kensington, PA, and Underground Radio 88.3 and 87.9 FM, WRMU, 92.1 Robert Morris University, Beasie AM, and The Summit FM. No longer booking artists at this time, this is maintained for nostalgia purposes. Transmitter has been sold to Pittsburgh Public Media, which, at this time, operates a jazz-format station WZUM from a franchised stream.

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