News Summary
Lisa Brickhouse Davis, a local veteran, has received bankruptcy court approval to acquire the silent radio station WVOD in Manteo for $20,000. Davis’s company, The Wright Sound, plans to revitalize the station, which has been inactive since July 2023. With a requirement to resume broadcasting by July 2024, Davis aims to leverage her 30 years of broadcasting experience to restore WVOD’s place in the community. The station has been an integral part of local culture, and its return is highly anticipated.
Manteo, NC — Local veteran Lisa Brickhouse Davis has secured approval from a bankruptcy court to purchase the silent radio station WVOD in Manteo for $20,000. Davis’s company, The Wright Sound, will take ownership of the Class C2 signal, which covers areas including Kitty Hawk, Kill Devil Hills, and Nags Head. The acquisition comes amidst the ongoing bankruptcy liquidation of Jam Media Solutions, the station’s previous owner.
WVOD, which has been mostly silent since July 2023, faces an urgent requirement from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to resume broadcasting by July 10, 2024, or risk losing its license. With Davis at the helm, the future of the station looks promising, although details regarding its programming format have not yet been disclosed.
Davis brings over 30 years of experience in voiceover and broadcasting to the table, having previously served as an afternoon drive personality on WVOD when it was known as “99.1 The Sound.” She has expressed her dismay over the station’s current status and noted the significance of WVOD as a vital part of the community. Davis, a native of the Outer Banks and longtime fan of WVOD since its inception, has a deep-rooted connection to the station.
From her teenage years, she formed relationships with influential figures in the station’s history, including former owner Jennifer Frost and general manager Chris Watkins. In 2003, Davis officially became an air personality on WVOD and has now taken steps to return as its owner. As plans unfold, she has teased updates regarding the future direction of the station.
The acquisition of WVOD is part of a broader effort by Jam Media Solutions to liquidate its assets following the bankruptcy filing in 2023. This includes the sale of other stations and an online newspaper to a different entity. The bankruptcy process has complicated previous sale attempts, resulting in a period of silence for many stations owned by Jam Media Solutions.
During its operational years, WVOD was known for its adult alternative music format, garnering a loyal listener base along the Outer Banks. The station’s signal, while currently inactive, has historically provided entertainment and news relevant to local residents, making its return essential for community engagement.
The primary goal now for Davis and The Wright Sound is to ensure the station not only returns to the airwaves but thrives in a competitive broadcasting landscape. Industry observers will be closely monitoring the forthcoming FCC license transfer approval, as it represents a critical step in returning WVOD to its rightful place in the hearts of listeners.
The sale of WVOD occurred within the broader context of Jam Media Solutions, which originally acquired the six radio stations along with two newspapers for $1.75 million in 2018 before facing bankruptcy five years later. The ongoing liquidation process has left several stations silent, and higher offers for these assets continue to be accepted per court guidelines.
With the situation evolving, stakeholders and listeners alike remain hopeful that WVOD will soon resume broadcasting, revitalizing the airwaves of Manteo and welcoming back a cherished aspect of local culture.
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Additional Resources
- Insideradio: East Carolina Radio Nabs Two FMs in Outer Banks Bankruptcy Sale
- Wikipedia: WVOD
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- Google Search: Outer Banks Season 5
- Radionwtn: Netflix’s Outer Banks to End with Fifth and Final Season
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Outer Banks
- The Coastland Times: New Podcast from Outer Banks
- Google News: WVOD
