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.
| Broadcast area | Sarasota - Bradenton |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 92.1 MHz (HD Radio) |
| Branding | 92.1 CTQ |
| Programming | |
| Format | Classic country |
| Subchannels | HD2: Top 40 (CHR) "Hit Nation" |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| WBTP, WDIZ, WSDV, WSRZ-FM, WTZB | |
| History | |
First air date | March 1, 1974 (as WAMR-FM) |
Former call signs | WAMR-FM (1974-?) WRAV (?-1987) WCTQ (1987) WRAV (1987) WCTQ (1987–1999) WDDV (1999–2005) WLTQ-FM (2005–2016) |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 3059 |
| Class | C3 |
| ERP | 11,500 watts |
| HAAT | 145 meters (476 ft) |
Transmitter coordinates | 27°9′4.2″N 82°27′50.3″W / 27.151167°N 82.463972°W |
| Translator(s) | 103.1 W276CR (Bradenton) |
| Repeater(s) | 106.5 WBTP-HD2 (Sarasota) |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen Live HD2: Listen Live |
| Website | 921ctq.iheart.com |
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).[2] 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
editThe station signed on the air on March 1, 1974.[3] 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".[4]
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.[5] 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.[6] 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
edit- 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
editWCTQ also broadcasts on the following translator:
| Call sign | Frequency | City of license | FID | ERP (W) | Class | FCC info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| W276CR | 103.1 FM | Bradenton, Florida | 149125 | 250 | D | LMS |
Previous logo
edit-
Previous logo under hot AC format
References
edit- ^ "Facility Technical Data for WCTQ". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- ^ Radio-Locator.com/WCTQ
- ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1977. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
- ^ "The Coast is Coming to Sarasota".
- ^ WCTQ Sarasota Moves to 92.1; New Format Coming to 106.5
- ^ WCTQ Moves to Classic Country Radioinight - September 7, 2022
External links
edit- Facility details for Facility ID 3059 (WCTQ) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
- WCTQ in Nielsen Audio's FM station database
- Facility details for Facility ID 149125 (W276CR) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
- W276CR at FCCdata.org
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