New owner coming to Roanoke alternative outlet

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A deal has been struck to sell WVMP-FM Vinton VA to CityWorks Community Broadcasting LLC. The station will get CityWorks’ full attention – it will be the only one in its portfolio. The seller will be hanging on to three FMs in the area.


The buyer, headed by Edward B. Walker, will pay $500K cash for the station. The seller is Centennial Licensing LLC, headed by Steven H. Watts. Centennial will retain WZZU-FM and WLNI-FM, both licensed to Lynchburg, and Bedford VA station WZZI-FM. Media Services Group was on hand on behalf of the seller.

The price would appear to have come down during the last six and a half years. Centennial bought WVMP back when it had the WZZI call letters, along with WZZU, from Travis Media LLC for $4.146M, according to an 8/31/04 contract on file at the FCC.

WVMP is a Class A on 101.5 MHz firing off 510 Watts from a 784’ HAAT antenna. It is strictly a Roanoke station. Vinton is just to the east of Roanoke, and the 60 dBu contour does not get particularly close to the market’s other hub, Lynchburg, to the east.

The station brings an Alternative format to the Roanoke. On its website it makes the following promise: “101.5 fm the music place will endeavor at all times to elevate the entertainment experience for ALL members of the audience and other interested parties by broadcasting progressive music created by exciting artists. 101.5 fm the music place promises to keep the public informed of the activities of all of the various organizations within the Roanoke area that are dedicated to improving the quality of life in the city for all.”