WCST-FM (98.7

MHz The hertz (symbol: Hz) is the unit of frequency in the International System of Units (SI), often described as being equivalent to one event (or cycle) per second. The hertz is an SI derived unit whose formal expression in terms of SI base u ...

) is a

classic rock Classic rock is a radio format that developed from the album-oriented rock (AOR) format in the early 1980s. In the United States, it comprises rock music ranging generally from the mid-1960s through the early-1990s, primarily focusing on comm ...

formatted

broadcast Broadcasting is the data distribution, distribution of sound, audio audiovisual content to dispersed audiences via a electronic medium (communication), mass communications medium, typically one using the electromagnetic spectrum (radio waves), ...

radio station Radio broadcasting is the broadcasting 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 rad ...

licensed to Pocatalico, West Virginia, and serving the Charleston area.

History

WCST-FM originated in 1989, using the call sign WTUN. However, details are sketchy about the format used at the time.

WRVC repeater

On November 21, 1994, WTUN changed its call sign to WRVZ, and it was used by WRVC in Huntington as a

broadcast relay station A broadcast relay station, also known as a satellite station, relay transmitter, broadcast translator (U.S.), re-broadcaster (Canada), repeater ( two-way radio) or complementary station (Mexico), is a broadcast transmitter which repeats (or tr ...

to expand their signal into the Charleston area when WRVC had an oldies format. WRVC was most likely motivated for doing so because the usual oldies mainstay of Charleston, WKAZ-FM (107.3), was notorious for changing formats and they saw opportunity to expand their reach even further. (They had already increased their power to 100,000 watts from Ashland at the time.)

Acquired by WVRC

In 1997, after being acquired by West Virginia Radio Corporation, the station assumed a

modern AC Adult contemporary music (AC) is a form of radio-played popular music, ranging from 1960s vocal and 1970s soft rock music to predominantly ballad-heavy music of the 1980s to the present day, with varying degrees of easy listening, pop, soul, ...

outlet called "Planet 98.7" prior to its flip to

rhythmic top 40 The Rhythmic chart (also called Rhythmic Airplay, and previously named Rhythmic Songs, Rhythmic Top 40 and CHR/Rhythmic) is an airplay chart published weekly by ''Billboard'' magazine. The chart tracks and measures the airplay of songs played on ...

in 1998. This was the only rhythmic top 40 formatted radio station in West Virginia. In July 2023, the rhythmic top 40 format moved to WKAZ-FM; 98.7 then changed its call sign from WRVZ to WCST-FM (to differentiate itself from WCST in Berkeley Springs), adopted the branding "98.7 The Mountain," and adopted a classic rock format.

References

External links

WCST-FM official website
* Classic rock radio stations in the United States CST-FM Radio stations established in 1995 1995 establishments in West Virginia Kanawha County, West Virginia {{WestVirginia-radio-station-stub