WRAL-FM
Encyclopedia
WRAL is an Adult Contemporary music formatted radio station
based in Raleigh, North Carolina
. Its studios are located on Highwoods Boulevard in Raleigh, along with WCMC-FM
, a sports talk station that signed on in October 2005. Both stations are owned and operated by Capitol Broadcasting Company
, which also owns WRAL-TV
, FOX 50, and the Durham Bulls
minor-league baseball team, among other properties. Its transmitted from an antenna located on the 1,800 foot level of the WRAL-TV (analog) tower in Garner, North Carolina
. The station switches to a Christmas music
format during the holidays.
of 250,000 watts. It was the second FM station to operate in North Carolina, and the first to operate on the new 88–108 MHz FM band (previous FM stations had been at 42–50 MHz). WRAL-AM
was located at 1240 AM but was sold separately in the 1950s The studios were at 130 Salisbury Street, with the transmitter on Davie Street Extension. In 1948, Jesse Helms
became the news director.
Instead of rebroadcasting from a partner AM station, WRAL-FM offered its own programming in the form of easy listening music and extensive agricultural reports. Together with WCEC
in Rocky Mount
and WGBR
in Goldsboro
, WRAL helped establish a statewide radio network called the Tobacco Radio Network
, which connected communities large and small throughout North Carolina. It became the precursor to today's North Carolina News Network
, originally based at the WRAL studios but sold to Curtis Media Group in 2009. Eventually, the FM station moved to 101.5.
From 1960 until his election to the U.S. Senate
in 1972, the station offered the audio portion of commentaries by Helms which aired as the "Viewpoint" segment on WRAL-TV.
WRAL-FM switched its musical offerings to AC in the early 1970s, calling itself "WRAL-Stereo 101" and later "WRAL-FM 101.5." The format continues to this day, though at one point the station leaned hot adult contemporary.
On December 10, 1989, an early morning winter ice storm caused the tower it shared with WRAL-TV near Auburn, North Carolina
, along with a separate tower for WPTF-TV (now WRDC) to collapse. The station moved its transmission signal to WPTF's former tower near Apex
until a new tower was built at the same site the following year. Its effective radiated power was dropped to 96,00 watts to conform to FCC standards since its transmitter was perched further up the tower than before. Despite that, WRAL FM is often picked up as far west as Wilkesboro and even into Boone, knocking out WQUT's signal out of the Tri-Cities. As far east as Ocracoke, Hatteras and Kill Devil Hills in the Outer Banks. As far south in the Pee Dee Region of South Carolina such as Cheraw, Florence and McBee. As far north as southside Virginia reaching places stretching into Alberta, Altavista, Emporia, Martinsville and Rocky Mount. This often interferes with two Virginia FM stations, WZZI out of Roanoke and WBQB out of Fredericksburg.
On September 6, 1996, was the only radio station in full operation for two weeks during the aftermath of Hurricane Fran which decimated most of Wake County.
On December 20, 2002, the station became the first licensed commercial radio station on the east coast to broadcast its signal in HD Radio
. WRAL-HD1 replicates the same music found on Mix 101.5 (mainstream AC), while WRAL-HD2 offers a more modern-leaning playlist. On Monday, June 27, 2005, MIX became the first commercial station in North Carolina and only the second commercial station in the nation (WUSN
in Chicago
was the first) to utilize the "multicasting" capabilities of HD Radio technology to broadcast multiple digital channels.
On April 23, 2007, WRAL-FM became the flagship station for the NC State Wolfpack
, beginning with the 2007–2008 school year. The broadcast rights to football and basketball games belong to Wolfpack Sports Marketing, which is also owned by Capitol Broadcasting. The weekly coaches' shows with Tom O'Brien
and Sidney Lowe
air separately on sister station WCMC-FM
.
WRAL-FM was the second station in Raleigh to air the nationally-syndicated Delilah
nighttime radio show, which it carried from November 2007 until October 2009. WRSN ("Sunny 93.9") had carried the program before that station flipped to Rhythmic AC as "93.9 Kiss FM
".
On August 22, 2009, WRAL-FM started to air the Rick Dees
Weekly Top 30 (Adult Contemporary) Countdown show on Saturdays at 7 am – 10 am. It also replaced the Delilah program with the John Tesh Radio Show beginning October 5, 2009. Both Dees and Tesh are veterans to Triangle radio, having both worked at WKIX 850 back in the early 1970s, along with current WRAL-TV
morning and noon anchor Bill Leslie.
WRAL-FM also carries the audio of WRAL-TV5's Six O'Clock News.
In April, 2009, the National Association of Broadcasters awarded WRAL its prestigious Crystal Award for community service. The honor, the station’s second in eight years, was given for involvement in many local causes including:
• The Annual Radiothon for Duke Children’s Hospital, through which Mix listeners raised over $1 million dollars in 2008 and over $10 million dollars throughout the event’s history.
• Collecting more than 7000 pounds of food for the Raleigh Inter-Faith Food Shuttle’s Back Pack Buddies program.
• Ongoing support of the United State Marine Corp Reserves’ Toys for Tots toy drives.
• Providing free ID cards for Wake County school children.
• Sponsorship of Interact Wake County, the American Cancer Society, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, American Heart Association, the Tammy Lynn Center and Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and others.
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
based in Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
. Its studios are located on Highwoods Boulevard in Raleigh, along with WCMC-FM
WCMC-FM
WCMC-FM is a Sports Talk radio station based in Raleigh, North Carolina and licensed to nearby Holly Springs. Its studios are located in downtown Raleigh along with WRAL-FM, an adult contemporary music station...
, a sports talk station that signed on in October 2005. Both stations are owned and operated by Capitol Broadcasting Company
Capitol Broadcasting Company
Capitol Broadcasting Company is a TV and radio broadcast company based in Raleigh, North Carolina. They also own and operate the minor league baseball team, the Durham Bulls.-TV:*WRAL-TV 5...
, which also owns WRAL-TV
WRAL-TV
WRAL-TV, virtual channel 5 , is a television station in Raleigh, North Carolina. WRAL-TV has been the flagship station of Capitol Broadcasting Company since its inception, and is currently the CBS affiliate for the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill/Fayetteville area, known collectively as the Triangle...
, FOX 50, and the Durham Bulls
Durham Bulls
The Durham Bulls are a minor league baseball team that currently plays in the International League. The Bulls play their home games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park located in the downtown area of Durham, North Carolina. Durham Bulls Athletic Park is often called the "DBAP" or "D-Bap". The Bulls are...
minor-league baseball team, among other properties. Its transmitted from an antenna located on the 1,800 foot level of the WRAL-TV (analog) tower in Garner, North Carolina
Garner, North Carolina
Garner is a town in Wake County, North Carolina, United States and a suburb of Raleigh. The population was 17,757 at the 2000 census and was 27,533 in 2009.-Geography:Garner is located at ....
. The station switches to a Christmas music
Christmas music
Christmas music comprises a variety of genres of music normally performed or heard around the Christmas season, which tends to begin in the months leading up the actual holiday and end in the weeks shortly thereafter.-Early:...
format during the holidays.
History
WRAL-FM signed on in 1947 at 95.3, with an ERPEffective radiated power
In radio telecommunications, effective radiated power or equivalent radiated power is a standardized theoretical measurement of radio frequency energy using the SI unit watts, and is determined by subtracting system losses and adding system gains...
of 250,000 watts. It was the second FM station to operate in North Carolina, and the first to operate on the new 88–108 MHz FM band (previous FM stations had been at 42–50 MHz). WRAL-AM
WPJL
WPJL is a radio station broadcasting a Christian radio format. Licensed to Raleigh, North Carolina, USA, the station serves the Raleigh area. The station is currently owned by WPJL, Inc..-History:...
was located at 1240 AM but was sold separately in the 1950s The studios were at 130 Salisbury Street, with the transmitter on Davie Street Extension. In 1948, Jesse Helms
Jesse Helms
Jesse Alexander Helms, Jr. was a five-term Republican United States Senator from North Carolina who served as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee from 1995 to 2001...
became the news director.
Instead of rebroadcasting from a partner AM station, WRAL-FM offered its own programming in the form of easy listening music and extensive agricultural reports. Together with WCEC
WRVA-FM
WRVA-FM is a Classic Hits radio station that serves the Raleigh-Durham market of North Carolina. Its studios are located at Smoketree Court in Raleigh and its city of license is in Wake Forest...
in Rocky Mount
Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Rocky Mount is an All-America City Award-winning city in Edgecombe and Nash counties in the coastal plains of the state of North Carolina. Although it was not formally incorporated until February 28, 1867, the North Carolina community that became the city of Rocky Mount dates from the beginning of...
and WGBR
WGBR
WGBR is a radio station licensed to Goldsboro, North Carolina, USA. The station is currently owned by New Age Communications, Ltd.....
in Goldsboro
Goldsboro, North Carolina
Goldsboro is a city in Wayne County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 37,597 at the 2008 census estimate. It is the principal city of and is included in the Goldsboro, North Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area. The nearby town of Waynesboro was founded in 1787 and Goldsboro was...
, WRAL helped establish a statewide radio network called the Tobacco Radio Network
Tobacco Radio Network
Tobacco Radio Network was a radio network owned and operated by Capitol Broadcasting Company of Raleigh, North Carolina. Begun in 1942, the network was dedicated to educating and keeping farmers informed of the latest agricultural news, stories, and market standings...
, which connected communities large and small throughout North Carolina. It became the precursor to today's North Carolina News Network
North Carolina News Network
The North Carolina News Network is a news and information service established in 1942. It provides programming to approximately 75 radio stations, primarily in the state of North Carolina, and can also be heard by Internet streaming via its website.-History:The roots of this network go back to...
, originally based at the WRAL studios but sold to Curtis Media Group in 2009. Eventually, the FM station moved to 101.5.
From 1960 until his election to the U.S. Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
in 1972, the station offered the audio portion of commentaries by Helms which aired as the "Viewpoint" segment on WRAL-TV.
WRAL-FM switched its musical offerings to AC in the early 1970s, calling itself "WRAL-Stereo 101" and later "WRAL-FM 101.5." The format continues to this day, though at one point the station leaned hot adult contemporary.
On December 10, 1989, an early morning winter ice storm caused the tower it shared with WRAL-TV near Auburn, North Carolina
Auburn, North Carolina
Auburn is an unincorporated community in Wake County, North Carolina, USA, just southeast of Raleigh. It lies about halfway between Garner and Clayton along Old Garner Road, a former alignment of US 70.-Landmarks:...
, along with a separate tower for WPTF-TV (now WRDC) to collapse. The station moved its transmission signal to WPTF's former tower near Apex
Apex, North Carolina
Apex is a town in Wake County, North Carolina and a suburb of Raleigh. The population was 37,476 according to the 2010 census., wakegov.com-Geography:Apex is located at ....
until a new tower was built at the same site the following year. Its effective radiated power was dropped to 96,00 watts to conform to FCC standards since its transmitter was perched further up the tower than before. Despite that, WRAL FM is often picked up as far west as Wilkesboro and even into Boone, knocking out WQUT's signal out of the Tri-Cities. As far east as Ocracoke, Hatteras and Kill Devil Hills in the Outer Banks. As far south in the Pee Dee Region of South Carolina such as Cheraw, Florence and McBee. As far north as southside Virginia reaching places stretching into Alberta, Altavista, Emporia, Martinsville and Rocky Mount. This often interferes with two Virginia FM stations, WZZI out of Roanoke and WBQB out of Fredericksburg.
On September 6, 1996, was the only radio station in full operation for two weeks during the aftermath of Hurricane Fran which decimated most of Wake County.
On December 20, 2002, the station became the first licensed commercial radio station on the east coast to broadcast its signal in HD Radio
HD Radio
HD Radio, which originally stood for "Hybrid Digital", is the trademark for iBiquity's in-band on-channel digital radio technology used by AM and FM radio stations to transmit audio and data via a digital signal in conjunction with their analog signals...
. WRAL-HD1 replicates the same music found on Mix 101.5 (mainstream AC), while WRAL-HD2 offers a more modern-leaning playlist. On Monday, June 27, 2005, MIX became the first commercial station in North Carolina and only the second commercial station in the nation (WUSN
WUSN
WUSN is an FM radio station in Chicago, Illinois, The station broadcasts on 99.5 MHz and is a country radio station owned by CBS Radio. The station focuses on country music from the '90s, along with current product and some classic country from the '70s and '80s.-99.5 WEFM/99-"We" FM:Until 1978,...
in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
was the first) to utilize the "multicasting" capabilities of HD Radio technology to broadcast multiple digital channels.
On April 23, 2007, WRAL-FM became the flagship station for the NC State Wolfpack
NC State Wolfpack
The athletic teams of the North Carolina State University, known as the Wolfpack, compete in 24 intercollegiate varsity sports. NC State is a founding member of the Atlantic Coast Conference and has won eight national championships: two NCAA championships, two AIAW championships, and four titles...
, beginning with the 2007–2008 school year. The broadcast rights to football and basketball games belong to Wolfpack Sports Marketing, which is also owned by Capitol Broadcasting. The weekly coaches' shows with Tom O'Brien
Tom O'Brien
Thomas O’Brien, Tom O’Brien, or Tommy O'Brien may refer to:*Thomas D. O'Brien, co-founder of William Mitchell College of Law*Thomas J. O'Brien , Illinois politician...
and Sidney Lowe
Sidney Lowe
Sidney Rochell Lowe is an American basketball coach and is currently an assistant coach with the Utah Jazz. He is a former NBA player and head coach, and has served as the head coach at North Carolina State University,.-Biography:Lowe began his career at DeMatha Catholic High School in...
air separately on sister station WCMC-FM
WCMC-FM
WCMC-FM is a Sports Talk radio station based in Raleigh, North Carolina and licensed to nearby Holly Springs. Its studios are located in downtown Raleigh along with WRAL-FM, an adult contemporary music station...
.
WRAL-FM was the second station in Raleigh to air the nationally-syndicated Delilah
Delilah Rene
Delilah Rene Luke , almost always known mononymously as Delilah, is an American radio personality, author, and songwriter, best known as the host of a nationally syndicated nightly U.S...
nighttime radio show, which it carried from November 2007 until October 2009. WRSN ("Sunny 93.9") had carried the program before that station flipped to Rhythmic AC as "93.9 Kiss FM
KISS-FM (brand)
KISS-FM is the brand name of a Top 40 music format heard on FM radio stations in many cities in the United States . Clear Channel Communications claims ownership of the KISS-FM brand and operates most KISS-FM formatted stations, though not KISS-FM in San Antonio, Texas itself .-Origin and...
".
On August 22, 2009, WRAL-FM started to air the Rick Dees
Rick Dees
Rigdon Osmond "Rick" Dees III is an American comedic performer, entertainer, and radio personality, best known for his internationally syndicated radio show The Rick Dees Weekly Top 40 Countdown and for the novelty song "Disco Duck." He is a People's Choice Award recipient, a Grammy-nominated...
Weekly Top 30 (Adult Contemporary) Countdown show on Saturdays at 7 am – 10 am. It also replaced the Delilah program with the John Tesh Radio Show beginning October 5, 2009. Both Dees and Tesh are veterans to Triangle radio, having both worked at WKIX 850 back in the early 1970s, along with current WRAL-TV
WRAL-TV
WRAL-TV, virtual channel 5 , is a television station in Raleigh, North Carolina. WRAL-TV has been the flagship station of Capitol Broadcasting Company since its inception, and is currently the CBS affiliate for the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill/Fayetteville area, known collectively as the Triangle...
morning and noon anchor Bill Leslie.
WRAL-FM also carries the audio of WRAL-TV5's Six O'Clock News.
Community involvement
WRAL's local ownership gives it a leg up among other Triangle radio stations in terms of public affairs and community involvement, giving it less of a "corporate" feel than its competition. WRAL-FM promotes a number of events throughout the Triangle area that are sponsored by Capitol Broadcasting and its entities.In April, 2009, the National Association of Broadcasters awarded WRAL its prestigious Crystal Award for community service. The honor, the station’s second in eight years, was given for involvement in many local causes including:
• The Annual Radiothon for Duke Children’s Hospital, through which Mix listeners raised over $1 million dollars in 2008 and over $10 million dollars throughout the event’s history.
• Collecting more than 7000 pounds of food for the Raleigh Inter-Faith Food Shuttle’s Back Pack Buddies program.
• Ongoing support of the United State Marine Corp Reserves’ Toys for Tots toy drives.
• Providing free ID cards for Wake County school children.
• Sponsorship of Interact Wake County, the American Cancer Society, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, American Heart Association, the Tammy Lynn Center and Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and others.
Other Logos