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WCTQ

Coordinates: 27°9′4.2″N 82°27′50.3″W / 27.151167°N 82.463972°W / 27.151167; -82.463972
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
WCTQ
Broadcast areaSarasota - Bradenton
Frequency92.1 MHz (HD Radio)
Branding92.1 CTQ
Programming
FormatClassic country
SubchannelsHD2: Top 40 (CHR) "Hit Nation"
Ownership
Owner
WBTP, WDIZ, WSDV, WSRZ-FM, WTZB
History
First air date
March 1, 1974; 50 years ago (1974-03-01) (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 ID3059
ClassC3
ERP11,500 watts
HAAT145 meters (476 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
27°9′4.2″N 82°27′50.3″W / 27.151167°N 82.463972°W / 27.151167; -82.463972
Translator(s)103.1 W276CR (Bradenton)
Repeater(s)106.5 WBTP-HD2 (Sarasota)
Links
Public license information
WebcastListen Live
HD2: Listen Live
Website921ctq.iheart.com

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).[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

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The station signed on the air on March 1, 1974; 50 years ago (1974-03-01).[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

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  • 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

[edit]

WCTQ also broadcasts on the following translator:

Broadcast translator for WCTQ
Call sign Frequency City of license FID ERP (W) Class FCC info
W276CR 103.1 FM Bradenton, Florida 149125 250 D LMS
[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WCTQ". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ Radio-Locator.com/WCTQ
  3. ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1977. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  4. ^ "The Coast is Coming to Sarasota".
  5. ^ WCTQ Sarasota Moves to 92.1; New Format Coming to 106.5
  6. ^ WCTQ Moves to Classic Country Radioinight - September 7, 2022
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