WCTQ
Radio station in Venice, Florida
27°9′4.2″N 82°27′50.3″W / 27.151167°N 82.463972°W / 27.151167; -82.463972HD2: Listen Live
WCTQ (92.1 FM) is a radio station broadcasting with a classic country format. Licensed to Venice, Florida, the station serves the Sarasota - Bradenton area. It is currently owned by iHeartMedia, Inc.
WCTQ is a Class C3 FM station, with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 11,500 watts. The transmitter is on North Tamiami Trail (U.S. Route 41) at Florida State Road 681 (Venice Connector).[1] Programming is also heard on 250-watt FM translator W276CR at 103.1 MHz in Bradenton. WCTQ broadcasts using HD Radio technology. Its HD2 subchannel airs a Top 40 (CHR) format.
History
The station signed on the air on March 1, 1974; 50 years ago (1974-03-01).[2] Its original call sign was WAMR-FM, the sister station to WAMR 1320 AM (now WDIZ). The two stations were owned by the Venice Broadcasting Company and they simulcast a middle of the road format of adult popular music, local news and sports. The station went through a series of format and call letter changes over the next three decades.
In 2005, the format switched to soft adult contemporary with the call sign WLTQ-FM. The call letters stood for "Lite" as in light music. Over time, the tempo picked up and the station transitioned to hot adult contemporary hits.
On October 31, 2011, WLTQ-FM began playing Christmas music, branded as "Santa 92.1". Then, on December 26 at midnight, the station changed to an adult contemporary sound as "92.1 The Coast".[3]
On February 24, 2016, WLTQ-FM changed its format to a simulcast of country music-formatted WCTQ 106.5 FM in preparation for a new Spanish hits format on 106.5.[4] On February 29, 2016, WLTQ-FM changed call signs to WCTQ, returning the country format and call letters to 92.1 after 17 years.
On September 7, 2022, WCTQ shifted its format from country to classic country.[5] Core artists include Garth Brooks, Brooks & Dunn, Reba McEntire, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood and Kenny Chesney. WCTQ will go back occasionally for songs from Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton and Waylon Jennings.
CTQ alumni
- Dave McClure (GM)
- Jim Davis (GM)
- Sherri Carlson (GM)
- Kim Ashley (former PD)
- Ron Merritt (former PD)
- John Brooks (former PD)
- Ed Couzins (former PD)
- Rob Carpenter (former PD)
- Rich Stevens (former PD)
- Mark "The Shark" Wilson (former PD and PM Drive)
- Sammy Cruise (former PD)
- Tim Jones (former PD)
- Frank Benny & Del Potts
- Frank & Del - morning drive)
- Tim & Willy (mornings)
- Maverick Johnson (longtime morning host)
- Pam Grey (middays)
- Tracy Black (midday host, Public Files Director 1991–2005)
- Heidi Decker (middays)
- Sara Jacobs (middays)
- Wanda Myles (morning co-host)
- Morgan (morning co-host)
- Sammi Jo Austin (morning co-host)
- Lulu Krysz (morning co-host)
- Frank Benny (news)
- Steven James (7-Mid M-F) & All Request Saturday Nights
- Pat Conner (After Midnight, News)
- Martin Haire (news)
- Scott Marino (traffic, weather & weekends)
- Ryan Rafferdy (news & weekends)
- Stormi Summers (host, 1992–1994)
Translator
WCTQ also broadcasts on the following translator:
| Call sign | Frequency | City of license | ERP (W) | Class | FCC info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W276CR | 103.1 FM | Bradenton, Florida | 250 | D | FMQ |
Previous logo
-
Previous logo under hot AC format
References
External links
- WCTQ in the FCC FM station database
- WCTQ in Nielsen Audio's FM station database
- W276CR in the FCC FM station database
- W276CR at FCCdata.org
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Radio stations in the Sarasota metropolitan area (Florida)
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|---|---|
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by frequency & subchannel
- Radio stations in Southwest Florida
- Fort Myers
- Sarasota
- Other nearby regions
- Lakeland-Winter Haven
- Sebring-Arcadia
- Tampa Bay
- See also
- List of radio stations in Florida
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