VCY America
 | |
| Type | Radio network |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Headquarters | Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | VCY America, Inc. |
| History | |
| Founded | 1954 byVic Eliason |
| Launch date | 1954 |
Former names | Milwaukee Youth for Christ |
| Links | |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | https://www.vcy.org/ |
VCY America, Inc.is a traditional,evangelical,conservativeChristianministry based inMilwaukee, Wisconsin.The VCY America Radio Network maintains a format ofChristian talk and teaching,as well as traditionalChristian musicthrough its broadcast outlets.
History
Originally known as "MilwaukeeYouth For Christ",and later," Greater Milwaukee Youth For Christ ", it left the national YFC organization in 1973 and became known as theWisconsin Voice of Christian Youth(WVCY) until 1995, when it changed to its present name. Itsflagshipstations in Milwaukee,WVCY-FMandWVCY-TV,share acall signwhich refers to the ministry's original name.
Radio network
The ministry operates 39 VCY America-ownedradio stationsinArizona,California,Colorado,Delaware,Illinois,Indiana,Iowa,Kansas,Michigan,Minnesota,Missouri,Nevada,New Mexico,New York,Ohio,South Dakota,Texas,West Virginia,andWisconsin.It also broadcasts over 26 low-powerFM translators.[1]VCY America radio also provides programming such asCrosstalk,Worldview Weekend,andMusic 'til Dawnto stations throughout the country via satellite. Additionally, VCY has aChristian bookstoreinWauwatosa, Wisconsinwhich is promoted on air and ships throughout the United States as an additional source of revenue.
VCY has attempted to expand into theSan Francisco Bay Area,Las Vegas,and theCoachella Valleythrough the lease and attempted purchase of a group of three stations in abankruptcyaction:KFRH,KREVandKRCK-FM.In early 2022, the original owner sued successfully to nullify the bankruptcy action against them, and the bankruptcydebtor in possessionand trustee was forced to return to the stations to them and nullify the VCY America leases. In October 2023, VCY America participated in a bankruptcy auction for these stations and was the winning bidder for KFRH, KRCK-FM, and two translators in the Palm Springs area for $2,445,952.88.[2]KFRH inNorth Las Vegas, Nevada's call sign was changed toKVPHand it began airing VCY America's programming on March 18, 2024.[3]
In December 2022 VCY America announced it would purchase WFAS-FM in theNew York CityareafromCumulus Media,pending final approval from theFederal Communications Commission.[4][5]RenamedWVBN,the acquisition, completed on February 6, 2023, gave VCY America its first broadcast outlet on theEast Coast.[6]VCY America added to its Northeastern expansion in August 2023 with its purchase of WJBR-FM inWilmington, Delaware,fromBeasley Broadcast Group.[7]VCY took control of the station October 6, changing its call sign toWVCW;the move brings its programming into thePhiladelphiamarket.
Programming
VCY America's radio programming includes Christian talk and teaching programming, among them:
- Crosstalk,hosted by Jim Schneider, with pastVic Eliason-hosted episodes also aired
- Worldview Weekendwith Brannon Howse
- Grace to YouwithJohn MacArthur
- In TouchwithCharles Stanley
- Love Worth FindingwithAdrian Rogers
- Revive Our HeartswithNancy DeMoss Wolgemuth
- The Alternative withTony Evans
- Liberty Counsel's Faith and Freedom Report
- Thru the BiblewithJ. Vernon McGee
- Joni and FriendswithJoni Eareckson Tada
- Unshackled!
- Moody Radio'sStories of Great Christians[8]
- Lamplighter Theatre
- Brinkman Adventures
VCY America also airs a variety of vocal and instrumental traditional Christian music, as well as children's programming such asRanger Bill.[8]Notably, the network (including WVCY-TV) eschews any programs featuringContemporary Christian music,and has dropped programming which has switched to it in any form, including as theme music.
Television
The ministry also owns WVCY-TV (Channel 30) in Milwaukee, which holds acommercial licensebut is completely viewer supported. As of January 2018, it is carried under a channel share agreement with commercial stationWITI,owned byFox Television Stations.It vacated its former independent frequency in the FCC's spectrum repack auction, the proceeds of which ($76.3 million,[9]plus donations and bookstore purchases since) have been utilized to expand VCY's radio network. WVCY-TV is also carried in theWausautelevision marketvia translator W26EE-D, licensed toWittenburg.
In 1994, WVCY-TV rejected an offer to be purchased byCBSand become the network's new Milwaukee affiliate, following WITI's defection toFoxas part of the1994–1996 United States broadcast television realignment.
Other efforts
The ministry also operates a summer camp, nearHillsboro, Wisconsin,called, "Trail Ridge Camp"[10]as well as itsreligious bookstore,with a physical location inWauwatosa,a suburb of Milwaukee, and itsonline presence.
Leadership
The ministry is run by a team formerly headed by the lateVic Eliason,a former Youth for Christ worker,ordainedChristianministerand a recipient of anhonorary doctoratefromBob Jones University,in 2001.[11]Jim Schneider is the current Executive Director.[12]
List of stations
| Call sign | Frequency | City of license | State | Class | Power (W) |
ERP (W) |
Height (m(ft)) |
FCC info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KVCP | 88.3 FM | Phoenix | Arizona | C1 | — | 22,500 | 304 m (997 ft) | FCC (KVCP) |
| KVCC | 88.5 FM | Tucson | Arizona | A | — | 1,500 | 115 m (377 ft) | FCC (KVCC) |
| KVPW | 97.7 FM | Mecca | California | A | — | 1,600 | 197 m (646 ft) | FCC (KVPW) |
| WVCW | 99.5 FM | Wilmington | Delaware | B | — | 50,000 | 152 m (499 ft) | FCC (WVCW) |
| WLUV | 1520 AM | Loves Park | Illinois | D | 500 (day) 13 (night) |
— | — | FCC (WLUV) |
| WPTH | 88.1 FM | Olney | Illinois | A | — | 2,900 | 61 m (200 ft) | FCC (WPTH) |
| WVSB | 106.3 FM | South Bend | Indiana | A | — | 1,400 | 134.8 m (442 ft) | FCC (WVSB) |
| KVDI | 99.3 FM | Huxley | Iowa | A | — | 5,300 | 95 m (312 ft) | |
| KVCI | 89.7 FM | Montezuma | Iowa | C1 | — | 100,000 | 151 m (495 ft) | FCC (KVCI) |
| KVCY | 104.7 FM | Fort Scott | Kansas | C3 | — | 16,000 | 125 m (410 ft) | FCC (KVCY) |
| KCVS | 91.7 FM | Salina | Kansas | C2 | — | 11,500 | 228 m (748 ft) | FCC (KCVS) |
| WVCN | 104.3 FM | Baraga | Michigan | C1 | — | 100,000 | 262 m (860 ft) | FCC (WVCN) |
| WVCM | 91.5 FM | Iron Mountain | Michigan | A | — | 500 | 183 m (600 ft) | FCC (WVCM) |
| WQRN | 88.9 FM | Cook | Minnesota | C3 | — | 16,000 | 70 m (230 ft) | FCC (WQRN) |
| WQRM | 850 AM | Duluth | Minnesota | B | 50,000 (day) 14,000 (c.h.) |
— | — | FCC (WQRM) |
| KVCS | 89.1 FM | Spring Valley | Minnesota | C3 | — | 12,000 | 138 m (453 ft) | FCC (KVCS) |
| WRVX | 91.7 FM | Cameron | Missouri | C2 | — | 27,500 | 116 m (381 ft) | FCC (WRVX) |
| KIRS | 107.7 FM | Stockton | Missouri | C3 | — | 11,700 | 146 m (479 ft) | FCC (KIRS) |
| KVPH | 104.3 FM | North Las Vegas | Nevada | C | — | 24,500 | 1,128 m (3,701 ft) | FCC (KVPH) |
| KVCN | 106.7 FM | Los Alamos | New Mexico | C0 | — | 44,000 | 592 m (1,942 ft) | FCC (KVCN) |
| WVBN | 103.9 FM | Bronxville | New York | A | — | 980 | 162.1 m (532 ft) | FCC (WVBN) |
| WJIC | 91.7 FM | Zanesville | Ohio | A | — | 6,000 | 97 m (318 ft) | FCC (WJIC) |
| KVCF | 90.5 FM | Freeman | South Dakota | C2 | — | 9,000 | 246 m (807 ft) | FCC (KVCF) |
| KVCX | 101.5 FM | Gregory | South Dakota | C1 | — | 100,000 | 195 m (640 ft) | FCC (KVCX) |
| KVCH | 88.7 FM | Huron | South Dakota | C1 | — | 60,000 | 161 m (528 ft) | FCC (KVCH) |
| KVFL | 89.1 FM | Pierre | South Dakota | A | — | 400 | 113 m (371 ft) | FCC (KVFL) |
| KVPC | 97.7 FM | Rapid City | South Dakota | C | — | 100,000 | 579 m (1,900 ft) | FCC (KVPC) |
| KVDT | 103.3 FM | Allen | Texas | C | — | 98,000 | 606 m (1,988 ft) | FCC (KVCE) |
| KVLM | 104.7 FM | Tarzan | Texas | C1 | — | 100,000 | 224 m (735 ft) | FCC (KVLM) |
| KVCE | 92.7 FM | Slaton | Texas | C1 | — | 100,000 | 182 m (597 ft) | FCC (KVCE) |
| WVIW | 104.1 FM | Bridgeport | West Virginia | A | — | 2,450 | 158 m (518 ft) | FCC (WVIW) |
| WVCF | 90.5 FM | Eau Claire | Wisconsin | A | — | 1,600 | 112 m (367 ft) | FCC (WVCF) |
| WVFL | 89.9 FM | Fond du Lac | Wisconsin | A | — | 1,000 | 117 m (384 ft) | FCC (WVFL) |
| WVCY-FM[a] | 107.7 FM | Milwaukee | Wisconsin | B | — | 43,000 | 161 m (528 ft) | FCC (WVCY-FM) |
| WVCY | 690 AM | Oshkosh | Wisconsin | B | 250 (day) 77 (night) |
— | — | FCC (WVCY) |
| WVCS | 90.1 FM | Owen | Wisconsin | C3 | — | 1,900 | 153 m (502 ft) | FCC (WVCS) |
| WVCX | 98.9 FM | Tomah | Wisconsin | C0 | — | 100,000 | 300 m (980 ft) | FCC (WVCX) |
| WEGZ | 105.9 FM | Washburn | Wisconsin | C1 | — | 100,000 | 226 m (741 ft) | FCC (WEGZ) |
| WVRN | 88.9 FM | Wittenberg | Wisconsin | C2 | — | 25,000 | 147 m (482 ft) | FCC (WVRN) |
Notes:
| Call sign | Frequency (MHz) |
City of license | State | ERP (W) |
Height (m(ft)) |
Class | FCC info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K251BX | 98.1 | Palm Desert | California | 158 | 193 m (633 ft) | D | FCC (K251BX) |
| K293AO | 106.5 | Alamosa | Colorado | 250 | 34.8 m (114 ft) | D | FCC (K293AO) |
| K214DE | 90.7 | Antonito | Colorado | 10 | 731 m (2,398 ft) | D | FCC (K214DE) |
| W213AW | 90.5 | Charleston | Illinois | 55 | 46 m (151 ft) | D | FCC (W213AW) |
| W287BY | 105.3 | Rockford | Illinois | 135 | 90 m (300 ft) | D | FCC (W287BY) |
| W249CX | 97.7 | Duluth | Minnesota | 250 | 164 m (538 ft) | D | FCC (W249CX) |
| K292FX | 106.3 | Joplin | Missouri | 250 | 60.7 m (199 ft) | D | FCC (K292FX) |
| K203EZ | 88.5 | Alamogordo | New Mexico | 10 | 509.1 m (1,670 ft) | D | FCC (K203EZ) |
| K218AK | 91.5 | Artesia | New Mexico | 63 | 18 m (59 ft) | D | FCC (K218AK) |
| K207CQ | 89.3 | Gallup | New Mexico | 100 | 12 m (39 ft) | D | FCC (K207CQ) |
| K211CW | 90.1 | Hobbs | New Mexico | 57 | 99 m (325 ft) | D | FCC (K211CW) |
| K250AB | 97.9 | Roswell | New Mexico | 205 | 42.5 m (139 ft) | D | FCC (K250AB) |
| K220CE | 91.9 | Ruidoso | New Mexico | 82 | 918 m (3,012 ft) | D | FCC (K220CE) |
| K212EH | 90.3 | Silver City | New Mexico | 2 | 461 m (1,512 ft) | D | FCC (K212EH) |
| W232CQ | 94.3 | Cambridge | Ohio | 13 | 108 m (354 ft) | D | FCC (W232CQ) |
| K206EQ | 89.1 | Brookings | South Dakota | 250 | 41 m (135 ft) | D | FCC (K206EQ) |
| K258AG | 99.5 | Mitchell | South Dakota | 250 | 86 m (282 ft) | D | FCC (K258AG) |
| K293BQ | 106.5 | Sioux Falls | South Dakota | 250 | 22.8 m (75 ft) | D | FCC (K293BQ) |
| K278BK | 103.5 | Watertown | South Dakota | 250 | 78.2 m (257 ft) | D | FCC (K278BK) |
| W286DS | 105.1 | Appleton | Wisconsin | 120 | 68 m (223 ft) | D | FCC (W286DS) |
| W216BL | 91.1 | McFarland | Wisconsin | 120 | 30 m (98 ft) | D | FCC (W216BL) |
| W211AU | 90.1 | Monroe | Wisconsin | 13 | 105 m (344 ft) | D | FCC (W211AU) |
| W260DL | 99.9 | Oshkosh | Wisconsin | 155 | 83 m (272 ft) | D | FCC (W260DL) |
| K208FO | 89.5 | Prairie du Chien | Wisconsin | 205 | 19.6 m (64 ft) | D | FCC (K208FO) |
| W275CH | 102.9 | Ripon | Wisconsin | 13 | 96 m (315 ft) | D | FCC (W275CH) |
| W235AG | 94.9 | Sheboygan | Wisconsin | 18 | 95 m (312 ft) | D | FCC (W235AG) |
| W218CC | 91.5 | Wausau | Wisconsin | 85 | 16 m (52 ft) | D | FCC (W218CC) |
References
- ^Radio,VCY America. Retrieved February 26, 2019.
- ^"KEXP, VCY America & AutoPilot FM To Acquire Stations From Ed Stolz Auction",RadioInsight.December 12, 2023. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
- ^"KVPH 104.3 FM Las Vegas on the air!",VCY America.March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
- ^InsideRadio.com "Cumulus Media to Exit from New York Market with Sale to VCY America" Dec. 8, 2022
- ^RadioInsight.com "VCY America Enters New York City with WFAS-FM Purchase Dec. 8, 2022
- ^Venta, Lance (February 6, 2023)."VCY America Debuts In New York - RadioInsight".RadioInsight.RetrievedFebruary 7,2023.
- ^Venta, Lance (August 15, 2023)."VCY America Acquires WJBR".RadioInsight.RetrievedAugust 15,2023.
- ^ab"VCY America Central Time Schedule"VCY America. Retrieved July 4, 2019.
- ^"FCC Broadcast Television Spectrum Incentive Auction Auction 1001 Winning Bids"(PDF).April 13, 2017.RetrievedApril 14,2017.
- ^"Trail Ridge Camp"Trail Ridge Camp. Retrieved July 4, 2019.
- ^Milwaukee Journal Sentinel; May 22, 2001
- ^"Jim Schneider, Executive Director",VCY America. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
