WRLE-LP
Encyclopedia
WRLE-LP is a radio station
broadcasting a soft adult contemporary music format. Licensed to Dunnellon, Florida
, USA, the station is currently owned by Power Ministries.
issued a construction permit
for the station on May 28, 2002. The station was issued the WRLE-LP call sign
on June 5, 2002, and received its license to cover
on February 3, 2004.
WRLE-LP began regular broadcasts in 2002 after longtime area broadcaster Tony Downes received a construction permit for the new low-power FM station. Downes wanted a community outreach radio station primarily to serve the residents of Rainbow Lakes Estate near Dunnellon in West Marion County. The call letters, WRLE, stand for Rainbow Lakes Estates. In 2002, WRLE went on the air. The original format was contemporary hits, known as “The Heat”, with some religious programming on Sundays and other times during the weekends. However, since most of the residents living within the WRLE listening area are over 45, in 2003 the format was switched to soft adult contemporary. The Sunday morning programming includes Day One and The Lutheran Hour. According to Downes, this brought the station's programming more in tune with the station's desired target audience which has a median age of 45. The strategy has worked. WRLE is well-received by the area residents and enjoyed by many.
High school sports is another big part of WRLE’s success. Each Friday evening during the football season, Dunnellon’s Tiger football can be heard live over WRLE with Downes calling the play-by-play action. No other radio station in the area carries any local sports.
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
broadcasting a soft adult contemporary music format. Licensed to Dunnellon, Florida
Dunnellon, Florida
Dunnellon is a city in Marion County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,898 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 1,951...
, USA, the station is currently owned by Power Ministries.
History
The Federal Communications CommissionFederal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
issued a construction permit
Construction permit
A construction permit or building permit is a permit required in most jurisdictions for new construction, or adding on to pre-existing structures, and in some cases for major renovations. Generally, the new construction must be inspected during construction and after completion to ensure compliance...
for the station on May 28, 2002. The station was issued the WRLE-LP call sign
Call sign
In broadcasting and radio communications, a call sign is a unique designation for a transmitting station. In North America they are used as names for broadcasting stations...
on June 5, 2002, and received its license to cover
Broadcast license
A broadcast license or broadcast license is a specific type of spectrum license that grants the licensee the privilege to use a portion of the radio frequency spectrum in a given geographical area for broadcasting purposes. The licenses are generally straddled with additional restrictions that...
on February 3, 2004.
WRLE-LP began regular broadcasts in 2002 after longtime area broadcaster Tony Downes received a construction permit for the new low-power FM station. Downes wanted a community outreach radio station primarily to serve the residents of Rainbow Lakes Estate near Dunnellon in West Marion County. The call letters, WRLE, stand for Rainbow Lakes Estates. In 2002, WRLE went on the air. The original format was contemporary hits, known as “The Heat”, with some religious programming on Sundays and other times during the weekends. However, since most of the residents living within the WRLE listening area are over 45, in 2003 the format was switched to soft adult contemporary. The Sunday morning programming includes Day One and The Lutheran Hour. According to Downes, this brought the station's programming more in tune with the station's desired target audience which has a median age of 45. The strategy has worked. WRLE is well-received by the area residents and enjoyed by many.
High school sports is another big part of WRLE’s success. Each Friday evening during the football season, Dunnellon’s Tiger football can be heard live over WRLE with Downes calling the play-by-play action. No other radio station in the area carries any local sports.