WDVV explained

WDVV
City:Wilmington, North Carolina
Area:Wilmington, North Carolina
Branding:The Word 89.7
Frequency:89.7 MHz
Format:Christian talk and teaching
Erp:4,900 watts
Haat:134 meters
Class:C3
Facility Id:43707
Coordinates:34.0978°N -77.9717°W
Callsign Meaning:Phonetic sound-alike to dove
Owner:Carolina Christian Radio, Inc.
Webcast:Listen Live
Website:yourwordradio.com
Licensing Authority:FCC

WDVV (89.7 FM) is a radio station broadcasting a Christian talk and teaching format.[1] Licensed to Wilmington, North Carolina, United States, the station serves the Wilmington area. The station is owned by Carolina Christian Radio, Inc.[2]

History

In the mid-1980s, Dennis Anderson, an owner of several McDonald's franchises, & Michael Escalante started Praise Broadcasting Network Inc. to address the lack of Christian radio in the area. WMYT, a 10,000-watt AM which had been off the air since 1996 (when Hurricane Fran damaged the transmitter site and operations), signed on as the first station in the network with Darryl "Chuck" Langley serving as station manager. In September 1999, 89.7 Dove FM made its debut with "All music, all the time." Program director Al Lanier described the format as starting with "joyous music" as in Psalm 100 followed by softer music for reflection. The music included "upbeat, sing-along church camp favorites," orchestra arrangements, and urban gospel artists such as Andre Murrell. A Spanish language program aired on weekends, and radio stations in Haiti, Sudan and Uganda were planned.[3] [4]

Until late 2021, Carolina Christian Radio of Wilmington, owners of WWIL-FM, aired a blend of Christian praise, worship, and hymns on 89.7 including music from artists such as Robin Mark, Sovereign Grace Music,[5] Hosanna, Darlene Zschech, Chris Tomlin, Travis Cottrell, Keith Getty,[6] Hillsong, Enfield,[7] and Don Moen.

In September 2021 WDVV changed their format from contemporary Christian (which moved to online-only) to Christian talk and teaching, branded as "The Word", format moved from WZDG 88.5 FM Scotts Hill.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: WDVV Facility Record . United States Federal Communications Commission, audio division .
  2. Web site: Station Information Profile . Arbitron .
  3. "Business Digest," Star-News, April 29, 1997.
  4. Ben Steelman, "Praise Radio; It's the Gospel Truth: Christian Radio Is Gaining Popularity," Star-News, December 14, 1999.
  5. Web site: The Dove 89.7 Song - Create In Me by Sovereign Grace Music. www.invubu.com. 2019-04-11.
  6. Web site: The Dove 89.7 Song - Holy Spirit (With Gabriel's Oboe) by Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty. www.invubu.com. 2019-04-11.
  7. Web site: The Dove 89.7 Song - Unfailing Grace by Enfield. www.invubu.com. 2019-04-11.
  8. https://radioinsight.com/headlines/215691/hope-radio-expands-in-wilmington/ Hope Radio Expands In Wilmington