Today in Wheeling History: June 12--WOMP, a longtime radio presence serving Wheeling and the Ohio Valley, changed its call sign to WLEJ, marking a shift to classic country programming (2017).
WOMP (1290 AM) was a longstanding radio station serving the Wheeling, West Virginia, and Bellaire, Ohio areas. Originally launched as WTRF in 1947, it transitioned to WTRX in 1955 before adopting the WOMP call sign in 1959. The station became a fixture in local broadcasting, known for its news, talk, and sports programming. Over the decades, WOMP adapted to changing trends, shifting formats multiple times.
On June 12, 2017, WOMP officially changed its call sign to WLEJ, marking a transition to classic country programming under the brand "Lejends 100.1/1290". This shift was part of a broader effort to rebrand and appeal to a new audience. Later that year, the station changed its name again to WYLY in September 2017, followed by WLIE in 2019, before settling on WLYV in 2021.
Today, the station operates as WLYV, a local and conservative talk radio station, simulcasting WEIR 1430 AM under the "River Talk" brand. It continues to be a voice for the Wheeling and Bellaire communities, offering discussions on local issues, politics, and sports.
To learn more: Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/3j6zcesn), WOMP FM (https://tinyurl.com/4xkdzjf8), TuneIn (https://tinyurl.com/2ywj7u86), Radio Lineup (https://tinyurl.com/a63uh6zr)
Photo caption and credit: Caption: Located at 56325 High Ridge Road in Bellaire, Ohio, this site once housed WOMP 1290 AM, a longtime Ohio Valley radio station serving Wheeling and the surrounding areas. Today, the property is occupied by Ohio Midland Newsgroup, LLC - The River Network, continuing its legacy in broadcasting and telecommunications. (Google Maps)
WOMP (1290 AM) was a longstanding radio station serving the Wheeling, West Virginia, and Bellaire, Ohio areas. Originally launched as WTRF in 1947, it transitioned to WTRX in 1955 before adopting the WOMP call sign in 1959. The station became a fixture in local broadcasting, known for its news, talk, and sports programming. Over the decades, WOMP adapted to changing trends, shifting formats multiple times.
On June 12, 2017, WOMP officially changed its call sign to WLEJ, marking a transition to classic country programming under the brand "Lejends 100.1/1290". This shift was part of a broader effort to rebrand and appeal to a new audience. Later that year, the station changed its name again to WYLY in September 2017, followed by WLIE in 2019, before settling on WLYV in 2021.
Today, the station operates as WLYV, a local and conservative talk radio station, simulcasting WEIR 1430 AM under the "River Talk" brand. It continues to be a voice for the Wheeling and Bellaire communities, offering discussions on local issues, politics, and sports.
To learn more: Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/3j6zcesn), WOMP FM (https://tinyurl.com/4xkdzjf8), TuneIn (https://tinyurl.com/2ywj7u86), Radio Lineup (https://tinyurl.com/a63uh6zr)
Photo caption and credit: Caption: Located at 56325 High Ridge Road in Bellaire, Ohio, this site once housed WOMP 1290 AM, a longtime Ohio Valley radio station serving Wheeling and the surrounding areas. Today, the property is occupied by Ohio Midland Newsgroup, LLC - The River Network, continuing its legacy in broadcasting and telecommunications. (Google Maps)
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