W251AO

W251AO, WOXL-HD2, 98.1 the River is a Triple-A^[2] low-power radio station in Asheville, North Carolina. It is operated by Asheville Radio Group, a subsidiary of Saga Communications, owner of WOXL-FM, WISE and WTMT.^[3] In addition to the over-the-air signal, The River is also heard on WOXL's second HD Radio channel, where it began.

W251AO

Relays WOXL-HD2, Biltmore Forest
Asheville, North Carolina
Broadcast area	Asheville, North Carolina
Frequency	98.1 MHz
Branding	98.1 The River
Programming
Format	Triple-A
Ownership
Owner	Saga Communications (Saga Communications of North Carolina, LLC)
Sister stations	WISE, WOXL-FM, WTMT
History
First air date	Oct. 1, 2008
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority	FCC
Facility ID	137991
Class	D
ERP	250 watts
HAAT	326.1 meters (1,070 ft)
Links
Public license information	Public file LMS
Webcast	Listen Live
Website	981theriver.com

History

Originally, 98.1 was a translator for WISE.^[4] The River signed on October 1, 2008, with 10,000 songs in a row. Artists include Dave Matthews, Bob Marley, Van Morrison, Elvis Costello, Indigo Girls, R.E.M., U2, Norah Jones and Jack Johnson as well as less familiar performers such as Ray LaMontagne, Sara Bareilles, The John Butler Trio, My Morning Jacket, G. Love & Special Sauce and Ingrid Michaelson.^[3][5][6]

General manager Bob Bolak described the station as being designed for those who do not like radio. Listeners of The River, he said, want quality music, both old and new. Brad Savage of WCNR in Charlottesville, Virginia acted as consultant. The first songs played were "Take Me to the River" by Talking Heads, "Radio Nowhere" by Bruce Springsteen and R.E.M.'s "It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)."^[2]