WWLA (FM)

WWLA (103.1 FM, "La Mega 103.1") is a Spanish language radio station playing Spanish adult contemporary and some regional Mexican music. WWLA is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to serve the community of Johnstown, Ohio. It is owned by Lazo Media LLC. and simulcast full-time over Urban One-owned WWLG in Circleville.

WWLA

Johnstown, Ohio United States
Broadcast area	Columbus, Ohio Newark, Ohio
Frequency	103.1 MHz
Branding	La Mega 103.1/107.1
Programming
Format	Spanish AC/Regional Mexican
Ownership
Owner	La Mega Media, Inc (Lazo Media LLC)
History
First air date	July 29, 1975; 49 years ago (1975-07-29)[1]
Former call signs	WWWJ (1975–1988) WXLE (1988–1991) WRZR (1991–1995) WTJY (1995–1996) WSMZ (1996–2004) WVKO-FM (2004–2024)
Call sign meaning	"La Mega"
Technical information[2]
Licensing authority	FCC
Facility ID	58633
Class	A
ERP	1,600 watts
HAAT	135 meters (443 ft)
Transmitter coordinates	40°13′44.2″N 82°39′35.4″W
Repeater(s)	107.1 WWLG (Circleville)
Links
Public license information	Public file LMS
Webcast	Listen live
Website	columbus.lamegamedia.com

History

The station was first licensed, as WWWJ, on July 29, 1975.^[1][3]

According to filings with the FCC, the station, then WVKO-FM, ceased broadcasting on May 5, 2006, as the license holder was in bankruptcy. In January 2007, the station license was transferred to Bernard Ohio LLC. The FCC granted permission to resume operations on June 19, 2007.

Bernard Radio is a company that operates several radio stations on behalf of the D.B. Zwirn investment fund. The Zwirn hedge fund was attempting to sell off the radio stations in its portfolio in order to terminate the fund.^[4]

WVKO-FM and WVKO were sold to TSJ Radio, LLC effective December 19, 2014, at a price of $743,750. On March 4, 2019, WVKO-FM was sold to Lazo Media LLC.

On November 1, 2024, as part of an arrangement with operator La Mega Media, the station would begin simulcasting on Urban One owned station WJYD; with the move, the station would take on new callsign WWLA, with WJYD eventually assuming the WWLG callsign to match.^[5]

On-air staff

• Marisela Juarez
• Gil Garcia
• Gustavo Aguilar

References

1. History Cards for WVKO-FM, fcc.gov. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
2. "Facility Technical Data for WWLA". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
3. Call Sign History, fcc.gov. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
4. Buhl, Teri (August 31, 2008). "FCC PROBING D.B. ZWIRN OVER RADIO LICENSES". New York Post. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
5. Mega to Expand in Cleveland, Columbus With Radio One Partnership

Further reading

• Turner, Tracy (October 15, 2006). "Nuevo media: Growing Spanish-language newspaper, radio presence in central Ohio mirrors rising number of Latinos who make their home here". Columbus Dispatch. Archived from the original on March 26, 2016.
• Ghose, Dave (October 2006). "The Fall of WVKO". Columbus Monthly.

External links

• Official website
• Facility details for Facility ID 58633 (WWLA) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
• WWLA in Nielsen Audio's FM station database
• "History Cards for WWLA". Federal Communications Commission.