WRLF (AM)

WRLF
Tower on Leonard Avenue
Broadcast area
Frequency1490 kHz
BrandingThe Torch
Programming
FormatConservative talk
Affiliations
Ownership
Owner
  • John Fredricks
  • (Disruptor Radio LLC)
History
First air date
1948 (1948) (as WTCS)
Former call signs
  • WTCS (1948–2018)
  • WBKE (2018–2025)
  • WVRM (2025–2026)
  • WBKE (2026)
Call sign meaning
Rosemary L. Fantasia (derived from WRLF-FM)
Technical information
Licensing authority
FCC
20461
ClassC
Power1,000 watts unlimited
Translator98.3 W252EF (Morgantown)
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen live
Websitewww.wvthetorch.com

WRLF (1490 kHz, "WRLF Sports 94.3") is a conservative talk formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Fairmont, West Virginia, serving the Fairmont/Grafton area. WRLF is owned and operated by Disruptor Radio, LLC.

History

As WTCS, the station previously aired Laura Ingraham, The Dana Show, Michael Savage, Mark Levin, Joe Pags, and Red Eye Radio.

On August 6, 2018, WBKE changed its format from news/talk to country, branded as "98.3 Blake FM" in reflection of its simulcast on FM translator W252EF (98.3 MHz) in Morgantown, West Virginia. On June 25, 2019, the station switched to classic hits, as "Buzz 98.3".

On January 6, 2025, WBKE dropped the classic its format for a simulcast of conservative talk-formatted WMMN (920 AM), branded as "The Torch". The call sign was changed to WVRM on August 3, 2025, as the station began to simulcast a sports radio format with WRLF (94.3 FM) that included The Dan Patrick Show and Fox Sports Radio, while retaining the John Fredericks Radio Show in the morning. The WBKE call sign returned on February 25, 2026; it then became WRLF on April 15, 2026.

References

  1. ↑ Miller, Jeff. "Origins of Broadcast Call Letters in West Virginia". History of Broadcasting in West Virginia. Retrieved April 24, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for WRLF". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  3. ↑ "Weekday News Talk | 1490 WTCS". Archived from the original on March 12, 2018. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
  4. ↑ WBKE Extends New Country Battle to Morgantown RadioInsight - August 6, 2018
  5. ↑ A Classic Hits Buzz For Morgantown RadioInsight - July 8, 2019
  6. ↑ Nine Overlapping Signals Equal One Torch in West Virginia Radioinsight - January 7, 2025
  7. ↑ Fredericks, John (July 28, 2025). "Form 380 - Change Request". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved April 24, 2026.
  8. ↑ wvsportsnation.com
  9. ↑ Fredericks, John (February 19, 2026). "Form 380 - Change Request". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved April 24, 2026.
  10. ↑ Fredericks, John (April 8, 2026). "Form 380 - Exchange Request". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved April 24, 2026.

39°28′19″N 80°08′26″W / 39.47194°N 80.14056°W / 39.47194; -80.14056