The station is licensed to Hubbard's Advertising Agency, Inc. for the community of Lynchburg, Virginia. The FCC says that the station has failed to pay regulatory fees, including a $15,000 2019 Notice of Apparent Liability (NAL) for a failure for then 92 year old station owner to timely upload isues and program lists in the online public file (OPIF) for the station. In a license renewal amendment submitted by someone representing the station, it was claimed that he operated the station entirely on his own and was not "computer literate". His family members were going to help him ensure public files were updated, however the only issues list ever posted was just one on December 20th, 2019.
According to the order, Dr. Fletcher owes the following debt amounts: $3,119.63 for FY 2014; $989.11 for FY 2016; $3,359.52 for FY 2017; $2,736.10 for FY 2018; $2,907.11
for FY 2020; $2,912.02 for FY 2021, and $3,043.75 for FY 2022. There is no indication in the order regarding the additional $15,000 NAL. The total debt before the NAL is $19,067.24 and when including the NAL would come to $34,067.24. Revocation will occur if the fees remain unpaid within 60 days of today's notice and without a hearing unless the licensee presents a substantial and material question of fact. Dr. Fletcher's death would likely be a substantial material question, but something he would not himself be able to bring before the Commission.
I could not find any paperwork filed with the FCC in the long history of WLLL indicating any change in ownership or board of director declarations made concerning Hubabrd's Advertising Agency, Inc. entity. The last ownership report filed on May 1st, 2019 indicates Dr. Fletcher Hubbard as the single 100% owner of the company. Legally this would likely be a concern of Hubbard's estate if they wish to continue to operate the 60 year old AM radio station.
According to Dr. Fletcher's obituary, "Brother Fletcher Hubbard" started in radio promoting gospel music more than 65 years ago beginning at WDMS which later became WJJS. He also was on the air at stations WNTJ, WAMV, WTOY, WKBY, WKDE, WTTX, WDVA, WSVB and another Lynchburg station, WLVA. WLLL AM, acquired by Fletcher and originally owned by the Griffith Broadcasting Corporation was a Top 40 station. Dr. Fletcher was one the nation's earliest black broadcasters and WLLL has been the only all-black owned gospel station in the Lynchburg area.
There have been no social media posts since 2014 for the station's facebook and twitter social media accounts. The original website for the station wllradio.com
Above: Picture of Fletcher Hubbard from internet archive record of former WLLL website.
