WVBX

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}

{{Infobox radio station

| name = WVBX

| logo = Live 99.3 WVBX logo.png

| logo_size = 150px

| city = Spotsylvania, Virginia

| area = Fredericksburg, Virginia

| branding = Live 99.3

| frequency = 99.3 MHz

| airdate = January 26, 1988 (as WYND-FM)

| format = Contemporary hit radio

| erp = 3,000 watts

| haat = 100 meters (328 ft)

| class = A

| facility_id = 22484

| coordinates = {{coord|38|8|30|N|77|41|34|W|type:landmark}}

| callsign_meaning = Vibe (previous branding)

| former_callsigns = WYND-FM (1988–1989)
WPLC (1989–1994)
WYSK (1994–1996)
WYSK-FM (1996–2008)
WWVB-FM (2008–2009){{cite web |title=Call Sign History |url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/call_hist.pl?Facility_id=22484&Callsign=WVBX |work=FCC Media Bureau CDBS Public Access Database}}

| affiliations = Premiere Networks

| owner = Alpha Media LLC

| licensee = Alpha Media Licensee LLC

| sister_stations = {{hlist|WFLS-FM|WNTX|WWUZ}}

| webcast = [https://www.alphamediaplayer.com/live993 Listen Live]

| website = [https://www.live993.com/ live993.com]

| licensing_authority = FCC

}}

WVBX (99.3 FM "Live 99.3") is a commercial radio station licensed to Spotsylvania, Virginia and serving the Metro Fredericksburg area. WVBX is owned and operated by Alpha Media LLC, through licensee Alpha Media Licensee LLC.{{cite web|url=http://transition.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/fmq?call=WVBX|title=WVBX Facility Record|work=Federal Communications Commission, audio division}} It airs a contemporary hit radio format.[http://www.insideradio.com/free/format-flips-brings-sports-to-asheville-rock-to-boise/article_da19a624-6e07-11e8-8ba1-dff6b46fad69.html Inside Radio "Format Flips" June 12, 2018]

History

Image:WYSK-FM (2002-2008).png

The station first launched on January 26, 1988, with the call sign WYND-FM.[https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1989/B-2%20Radio%20Neb%20to%20Terr%201989-5.pdf Broadcasting Yearbook 1989 page B-314] It aired a smooth jazz/new age music format and was owned by Richard J. Hayes and Associates. On April 10, 1989, WYND-FM changed to WPLC, simulcasting the urban contemporary format of then-WPLZ in Petersburg, also on 99.3. It became WYSK on September 30, 1994.

In 1994, the station was purchased by The Free Lance–Star, a daily newspaper in Fredericksburg. On July 16, 1996, WYSK modified its call letters to WYSK-FM, switching to an adult contemporary format. On March 4, 2002, WYSK-FM flipped to alternative rock, branded as "99.3 WYSK – The Rock Alternative".

At noon on January 7, 2008, WYSK-FM dropped its alternative format and switched to rhythmic contemporary with the station's first song being Justin Timberlake's "SexyBack". The call letters were changed from WYSK to WWVB-FM on January 11, 2008, to go along with the new moniker "The Vibe".

File:WVBX-FM 2014.png

On August 13, 2009, the call sign was changed from WWVB-FM to WVBX.{{cite news |publisher=VARTV.com |title=WVBX 99.3 257A |url=http://fredericksburg.vartv.com |date=June 5, 2010}}

On January 23, 2015, Alpha Media "entered into a definitive agreement" to purchase WVBX and sister stations WFLS-FM, WNTX, and WWUZ from Free Lance-Star License, LLC.{{cite web|url=http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/137599/alpha-media-to-purchase-free-lance-star-radio-stat#sthash.tpAuVTR4.uxfs|title=Alpha Media To Purchase Free Lance-Star Radio Stations|date=January 23, 2015|access-date=January 23, 2015|publisher=All Access Music Group}} The purchase was consummated on May 1, 2015, at a price of $8.1 million.

On June 1, 2018, WVBX rebranded as "Live 99.3".[https://radioinsight.com/headlines/168741/wvbx-relaunches-as-live-99-3/ WVBX Relaunches as Live 99.3] Radioinsight - June 1, 2018 The station is now airing a more traditional contemporary hit radio playlist, moving away from the rhythmic format.{{cite web|url=http://www.alphamediausa.com/alpha-media-fredericksburg-launches-live-99-3/|title=Alpha Media, Fredericksburg Launches LIVE 99.3|access-date=2023-09-11}}

References

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