WSVS (800 AM) is a

classic country Classic country is a music radio format that specializes in playing mainstream country and western music hits from past decades. Repertoire The radio format specializes in hits from the 1950s through the early 1980s, and focus primarily on innov ...

and bluegrass formatted

broadcast Broadcasting is the distribution of audio or video content to a dispersed audience via any electronic mass communications medium, but typically one using the electromagnetic spectrum ( radio waves), in a one-to-many model. Broadcasting began ...

radio station Radio broadcasting is transmission of audio (sound), sometimes with related metadata, by radio waves to radio receivers belonging to a public audience. In terrestrial radio broadcasting the radio waves are broadcast by a land-based radio ...

licensed to

Crewe, Virginia Crewe is a town in Nottoway County, Virginia, United States. The population was 2,326 at the 2010 census. History Crewe was founded in 1888 as a central location to house steam locomotive repair shops for the Norfolk & Western Railroad (now call ...

, serving

Southside Virginia Southside, or Southside Virginia, has traditionally referred to the portion of the state south of the James River, the geographic feature from which the term derives its name. This was the first area to be developed in the colonial period. Duri ...

. WSVS is owned and operated by Gee Communications, Inc.

History

WSVS began broadcasting April 4, 1947, on a frequency of 650 kHz. Formal dedication ceremonies, held April 6, 1947, included transcribed speeches by government officials and broadcasts from the station's studios in Crewe, Blackstone and Farmville. The station was licensed to Southern Virginia Broadcasting Company. In 1955, WSVS received the

Douglas Southall Freeman Douglas Southall Freeman (May 16, 1886 – June 13, 1953) was an American historian, biographer, newspaper editor, radio commentator, and author. He is best known for his multi-volume biographies of Robert E. Lee and George Washington, for both ...

Award for public service in radio journalism from the Virginia Associated Press Broadcasters. The award was for the station's coverage of three hurricanes, Connie, Diane and Hazel. The station changed formats to

Sports Sport pertains to any form of competitive physical activity or game that aims to use, maintain, or improve physical ability and skills while providing enjoyment to participants and, in some cases, entertainment to spectators. Sports can, th ...

on August 11, 2014, after years as a

Classic Country Classic country is a music radio format that specializes in playing mainstream country and western music hits from past decades. Repertoire The radio format specializes in hits from the 1950s through the early 1980s, and focus primarily on innov ...

/ Bluegrass station. On October 15, 2014, WSVS changed their format from sports back to Classic Country and Bluegrass.

Translator

In addition to the main station, WSVS is relayed by an FM translator to widen its broadcast area.

References

External links

WSVS official websiteFCC History Cards for WSVS
{{Country Radio Stations in Virginia 1947 establishments in Virginia Classic country radio stations in the United States Radio stations established in 1947 SVS