| Digital subchannel ofWRXL, Richmond | |
|---|---|
| |
| Broadcast area | Central Virginia |
| Frequencies | 102.1MHz · HD2 (HD Radio) |
| Branding | Big 98.5 |
| Programming | |
| Language | English |
| Format | Country music |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| History | |
First air date | c. 2013; 12 years ago (2013) |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 11961 |
| Class | B |
| ERP | 20,000 watts |
| HAAT | 241 meters (791 ft) |
Transmitter coordinates | 37°36′52.0″N77°30′56.0″W / 37.614444°N 77.515556°W /37.614444; -77.515556 |
| Translator | 98.5 W253BI (Glen Allen) |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen live (via Audacy) |
| Website | www |
WRXL-HD2 (102.1-2FM) – brandedBig 98.5 – is adigital subchannel ofRichmond, Virginia radio stationWRXL (102.1 FM). Owned byAudacy, Inc., WRXL-HD2 functions as a commercialcountry music radio station, servingGreater Richmond and much of surroundingCentral Virginia. Using theproprietary technologyHD Radio for its maindigital transmission, WRXL-HD2 also rebroadcasts over low-poweranalogGlen Allentranslator W253BI (98.5 FM), and streams online viaAudacy. The WRXL-HD2 studios, and transmitters for both WRXL-HD2 and W253BI, are located in the Richmond suburb ofDumbarton.
In April 2013, Clear Channel Communications (nowiHeartMedia) completed construction of the 98.5 FM translator in Glen Allen, Virginia. It was originally listed as a translator forWRVQ, which was later modified to useWTVR-FM.
On May 5, 2014, the station signed on as a simulcast of iHeartRadio'sWRVA, using the branding "NewsRadio 1140 & 98.5 FM", and technically relaying WTVR-HD2.[2] The simulcast ended on July 23, 2015, at 3 pm, after the end of that day'sRush Limbaugh show. The station then began stunting with construction noises, with liners telling WRVA listeners to move to 1140 AM, and to listen the following Monday, the 27th, at 9 am for something new on 98.5.[3] At that time, 98.5 flipped to country as "Big 98.5", launching with 10,000 songs in a row. The first song on Big was "Kick the Dust Up" byLuke Bryan.[4] As a translator is not legally permitted to originate its own programming, byU.S. Federal Communications Commission regulation, W253BI is relaying WRXL-HD2.[3]
On November 1, 2017,iHeartMedia announced that WRXL-HD2/W253BI, along with all of their sister stations in Richmond andChattanooga, will be sold toEntercom due to that company's merger withCBS Radio.[5] The sale was completed on December 19, 2017.[6]
| Call sign | Frequency | City of license | FID | ERP (W) | HAAT | Class | Transmitter coordinates | FCC info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W253BI | 98.5 FM | Glen Allen, Virginia | 148159 | 250 | 220 m (722 ft) | D | 37°35′52.5″N77°30′56.1″W / 37.597917°N 77.515583°W /37.597917; -77.515583 | LMS |