Roanoke is gaining a second all-sports radio station.
Wheeler Broadcasting is changing 610 AM from an R&B music format to an all-sports format, beginning Thursday. The station’s name has switched from WVBE-AM to the play-like WPLY to go with the sports format.
The station will be simulcast on 97.3 FM in Roanoke and on 98.5 FM in Lynchburg.
Wheeler Broadcasting President and General Manager Leonard Wheeler said he has struck a deal with DirecTV to air “The Dan Patrick Show” on WPLY from 9 a.m. to noon weekdays and “The Rich Eisen Show” from noon to 3 p.m. DirecTV not only televises both shows but also handles their radio syndication.
Wheeler has also struck a deal for WPLY to become a Fox Sports Radio affiliate, so that network’s programs will consist of the rest of the WPLY schedule. That includes Colin Cowherd’s show, which will air in Roanoke on same-day tape from 3-6 p.m.
Other Fox Sports Radio shows on WPLY will include “Fox Sports Daybreak with Andy Furman and Mike North” from 6-9 a.m.; Steve Gorman’s show from 6-8 p.m.; and “J.T. The Brick” from 8-11 p.m.
To read more visit the Roanoke Times where this article was originally published
Jason Barrett is the President and Founder of Barrett Media since the company was created in September 2015. Prior to its arrival, JB served as a sports radio programmer, launching brands such as 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He also spent time programming SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia, 590 The Fan KFNS in St. Louis, and ESPN 1340/1390 in Poughkeepsie, NY. Jason also worked on-air and behind the scenes in local radio at 101.5 WPDH, WTBQ 1110AM, and WPYX 106.5. He also spent two years on the national stage, producing radio shows for ESPN Radio in Bristol, CT. Among them included the Dan Patrick Show, and GameNight.
You can find JB on Twitter @SportsRadioPD. He’s also reachable by email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
