en WZZU

WZZU
Lynchburg, Virginia;
Broadcast area	Lynchburg metropolitan area
Frequency	97.9 MHz
Branding	97.3 & 97.9 The Rock Channel
Programming
Format	Active rock
Ownership
Owner	Mel Wheeler, Inc.
Sister stations	WFIR, WPLI, WPLY, WSLC-FM, WSLQ, WVBB, WVBE-FM, WXLK
History
First air date	September 1, 1970; 54 years ago
Former call signs	WLLL-FM (1970–1973); WGOL (1973–1997); WRVX (1997–2000);
Technical information
Licensing authority	FCC
Facility ID	17407
Class	C3
ERP	570 watts
HAAT	587 meters (1,926 ft)
Transmitter coordinates	37°33′46.0″N 79°11′38.0″W / 37.562778°N 79.193889°W
Repeater(s)	92.3 WXLK-HD2 (Roanoke); 100.1 WVBE-HD2 (Lynchburg);
Links
Public license information	Public file; LMS;
Webcast	Listen Live
Website	therockchannelradio.com

WZZU (97.9 FM) is a commercial radio station licensed to Lynchburg, Virginia. It broadcasts an active rock format and is owned and operated by Mel Wheeler, Inc.^[2] The studios and offices are on Electric Road SW in Roanoke, Virginia.

WZZU has an effective radiated power (ERP) of 570 watts. The transmitter is on Mistover Drive in Monroe, Virginia.^[3] Programming is also heard in the Roanoke metropolitan area on FM translator W247AD at 97.3 MHz.^[4]

History

The station signed on the air on September 1, 1970.^[5] Its original call sign was WLLL-FM, broadcasting at 98.3 MHz. It was the FM sister station to WLLL 930 AM. The two stations were owned by the Griffith Broadcasting Corporation. At first, WLLL-FM simulcast WLLL. Later, it had an automated oldies format, with its WGOL call letters standing for GOLden Oldies. In 1997, the call sign switched to WRVX.

In 2000, it changed its call sign to WZZU, airing a classic rock format. On April 19, 2021, WZZU segued from classic rock to mainstream rock, branded as "The Rock Channel".^[6]