Branding The Voice of Asheville First air date 2003 Language(s) English | Frequency 103.7 MHz Format Variety
Public affairs | |
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City Asheville, North Carolina | ||
WPVM-LP (103.7 FM) is a non-commercial LPFM radio station located in Asheville, North Carolina.
On May 8, 2015, the FCC granted a transfer of the FCC license to broadcast from the Mountain Area Information Network (MAIN) to Friends of WPVM. The station has been under new management by Friends of WPVM since on June 29, 2015.
History
The Mountain Area Information Network (MAIN) was granted a license by the FCC and a construction permit was assigned on Dec.30, 2002 and began broadcasting in October, 2003 under an LPFM Class 1 license for 100 watts effective radiated power (ERP).
History The Mountain Area Information Network (MAIN) was granted a license by the FCC and a construction permit was assigned on Dec.30, 2002 and began broadcasting in October, 2003 under an LPFM Class 1 license for 100 watts effective radiated power (ERP). After years of dormancy (between 2011- 2015) due to financial problems, MAIN's Board of Directors voted to divest of the station in September 2014. One Director was opposed to the divestiture and launched a very hostile sabotage plan to prevent the transfer,and much drama ensued. Working from a pristinely legal foundation, the non-profit Friends of WPVM the MAIN Board of Directors majority chose as recipient of the FCC license forged ahead under extremely hostile circumstances and accomplished the necessary steps required by the FCC in order to be eligible to receive the license. The FCC granted the license transfer on May 8, 2015. The station's broadcast equipment was obsolete or in dis-repair, wiring for the station was inadequate resulting in dropping off or interruption of the broadcast signal. Upon Friends of WPVM acquisition of the FCC license all obsolete equipment has been replaced, wiring has been replaced and properly tagged, the station now has state of the art technical equipment to provide a superior signal to the listening audience. WPVM fm is now financially solvent, has a new convenient location in downtown Asheville, and is on its way to becoming the best radio station in the City of Asheville, NC.
The station remained dormant between 2011- 2015 due to financial problems. In 2015 there was controversy surrounding the transfer of the license and the actions of Davyne Dial, the acting President. Accusations of illegally removing board members and illegal use of audio and video recording equipment within the studio. Past board members state that they were disallowed to attend board meetings and were met with police officers barring the door. In February 2017 a defamation lawsuit was settled between Dial and a former Friends of WPVM Director.