Published April 11, 2003 in issue #0010 of The Hook

Clear Channel is the "clear" leader, but Charlottesville's remarkable variety of radio stations rivals much larger cities.

COMMERCIAL STATIONS

Clear Channel Communications of San Antonio, Texas

WCYK-FM 99.7, country ("New Country"), rank: 2

WHTE-FM 101.9, contemporary hits ("Hot 101.9"), rank: 6

WFFX-FM102.3, classic rock ("The Fox"), rank: 7

WUMX-FM*, 107.5, contemporary hits ("The Mix"), rank: 9

WKAV-AM 1400, nostalgia, rank: 11

WCHV-AM 1260, talk/sports, rank: 12

*Clear Channel purchased WUMX from Air Virginia in April 2000 for $5.9 million under a lease-to-buy agreement that allowed the company to manage the station and collect revenue from sales. The Federal Communication Commission is conducting a hearing to examine concerns over the company's Charlottesville market share.

Eure Communications of Charlottesville

WWWV-FM 97.5, rock ("3WV"), rank: 1

WINA-AM 1070, news/sports/talk, rank: 3

WQMZ-FM 95.1, soft rock ("Lite Rock"), rank: 4

INDEPENDENT

WUVA-FM 92.7, urban adult ("Kiss"), rank: 5

This commercial but non-profit station is presently run by a board consisting of UVA students and alumni.

OUT OF MARKET STUDIOS THAT REGISTER IN THE TOP 12

WBTJ-FM 106.5, urban adult from Richmond ("The Beat"), rank: 8

WKJS-FM 104.7, urban adult from Richmond ("Kiss"), rank: 10

NON-COMMERCIAL STATIONS (UNRANKED BY ARBITRON)

WVTF-FM 89.3 (88.5 and 89.7 in Charlottesville), NPR/classical/news operated by Virginia Tech in Blacksburg.

WMRA-FM 88.5 (103.5 in Charlottesville), NPR/Classical/news operated by James Madison University in Harrisonburg.

WTJU-FM 91.1, progressive rock/jazz/misc., operated by the University of Virginia.

WNRN-FM 91.9, progressive/alternative independently owned by Capra, Inc.

--source: Arbitron 12 and older rankings

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