WRAL-FM

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In the 1940s Capitol Broadcasting Company began looking for ways to grow its business. WRAL-AM, the company’s only radio station, had been on the air since 1938, but at only 250 watts — the station’s signal barely reached beyond the Raleigh city limits. Despite lots of creative marketing and popular local programming, the AM station’s audience was hard to expand with such a limited signal.

So in true CBC fashion, the company began looking at a promising new form of radio called FM, or “frequency modulation.” Few listeners had FM sets at the time because there were very few FM stations on the air. But FM radio offered a signal that was technically superior to that of AM, and technical superiority was always of interest to CBC.

Never afraid of the unknown, Capitol Broadcasting set its sights on an FM station of its own. On September 6, 1946, the FCC granted CBC a license to operate WCOY-FM – only the second FM station licensed in North Carolina.

CBC quickly changed the station’s call letters to WRAL-FM and increased the power to a staggering 250,000 watts. Then it was time to begin building an audience for the new station.

Led by WRAL General Manager Fred Fletcher, CBC began producing unique programming that would create a separate identity for its new FM station. Rather than simply “simulcasting” shows from WRAL-AM, Capitol created unique programming that could only be found on FM.

WRAL-FM broadcast a mix of easy-listening music, agricultural reports and numerous live sporting events as it built an audience in those early days. Before long it became the flagship station for the Tobacco Radio Network, allowing CBC to put its new FM signal to work as a money saver for all the member stations in Eastern North Carolina. The TN stations were now able to receive network programming directly from WRAL-FM and no longer had to subscribe to expensive phone lines for the feeds. It was one of the earliest innovations in CBC broadcast history.

In the 1970s WRAL-FM adopted the “Adult Contemporary” musical format and eventually branded itself “MIX-101.5.” Morning host Bob Inskeep was one of the station’s most popular and successful personalities. Inskeep joined WRAL-FM in 1974 and won legions of fans during a fifteen-year CBC career.

Inskeep was followed by Bill Jordan, who teamed with a number of co-hosts to carry on the station’s morning show success. Jordan retired in 2013 after 23 years as the best known “voice” of the station.

Through the years WRAL-FM has continued its commitment to technological innovation and excellence. In December 2002 it became one of the country’s first licensed commercial radio stations to broadcast in HD Radio, which allows it to split the radio signal into multiple program streams.

WRAL-FM has also received numerous honors for its community service, news reporting and public affairs programming.

In 1983 WRAL-FM and its corporate partner North Carolina News Network won the coveted George Foster Peabody Award for a series of reports focusing on victims across all walks of life.

In 1996 the station won the prestigious NAB Crystal Award for Excellence in Community Service. The NAB judges lauded WRAL’s fundraising for victims of the Oklahoma City bombings, support of Duke Children’s Hospital and a host of other community projects benefitting needy citizens. Thirteen years later – in 2009 – the NAB once again honored WRAL-FM with the national Crystal Award, citing the station’s numerous efforts in the community.

WRAL-FM’s best known community service project began in 1994 as a fundraising effort for Duke Children’s Hospital. The station’s annual “Radio-Thons” have raised more than $15 million in the years since.

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Highlights for WRAL-FM

Applications Being Accepted for 2024 WRAL Azalea Celebration

The 38th Annual WRAL Azalea Celebration is now accepting applications from non-profits for the 2024 plant giveaway. Sponsored by WRAL-TV, MIX 101.5 WRAL-FM, FOX 50, WRAL.com and NC Beautiful, the Azalea Celebration promotes environmental education, beautification and stewardship by awarding azalea plants to non-profits in North Carolina. All applications must be postmarked or emailed by […]
A Different DJ in the MIX Studios: Wolfpack Pride in the House

The WRAL-FM studios had three very special guests on Thursday, April 11, 2024. NC State basketball stand-out DJ Horne and his parents stopped by to chat with the MIX Mornings crew. The staff gave the trio a rousing ovation as they made their wall through the halls to talk to Kyle, Bryan and Sarah. ICYMI. […]
MIX Welcomes Meghan Lamontagne to Middays “Mean Girls” Style

WRAL-FM MIX 101.5 welcomes a new midday host starting Monday, February 12, 2024. Meghan Lamontagne will debut in 10am – 3pm slot. Multimedia Personality at MIX 101.5! “In addition to her midday shift, Meghan will focus on content creation across our social media, podcasting, and video platforms,” said CBC Radio General Manager Brian Grube. […]
WRAL-FM’s Diane Ramsey Announces Retirement

A big announcement was made on MIX 101.5 this morning right before the 10am hour. Diane Ramsey is retiring after 35 years behind the mic at WRAL-FM. She shared the news at the conclusion of MIX Mornings with Kyle, Bryan and Sarah, with guys kindly supporting her. (Sarah had the morning off.) This week will […]
29th Annual MIX 101.5 Radiothon Raises Over Half Million $ in Two Days for Duke Children’s

WRAL-FM made the big announcement on the evening of Thursday, December 13, 2023, after two days on the air with the MIX 101.5’s 29th Annual Radiothon for Duke Children’s Hospital. The grand total raised tallied over $540,000! “Over a half million dollars raised for the kids at Duke Childrens! $541,874.39 to be exact…but who’s counting,” […]

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WRAL-FM

Highlights for WRAL-FM

Applications Being Accepted for 2024 WRAL Azalea Celebration

A Different DJ in the MIX Studios: Wolfpack Pride in the House

MIX Welcomes Meghan Lamontagne to Middays “Mean Girls” Style

WRAL-FM’s Diane Ramsey Announces Retirement

29th Annual MIX 101.5 Radiothon Raises Over Half Million $ in Two Days for Duke Children’s