WRNQ
Encyclopedia
WRNQ is an adult contemporary radio station licensed to Poughkeepsie, New York
and serving the Mid-Hudson Valley
of New York state. The station is owned by Clear Channel Communications
and broadcasts at 6 kilowatts ERP
from the Illinois Mountain master tower in Highland, New York
to which it moved in 2000. Unlike other Class A stations on that tower, WRNQ's signal is directional to protect first adjacents WXRK-FM New York City and WFLY
Troy.
A variation of WRNQ's format, without the simulcast and with different jocks, is broadcast on 98.5 WCTW
Catskill, New York
. From March 2005 until November 2006, WRNQ's format and programming is "shadowcasted" on 99.3 WFKP Ellenville, New York
which aired the same air talent as WRNQ (and simulcasted WRNQ's "Joe Daily in the Morning").
("Lite FM") from New York City
and jokes from rivals about the call meaning ("Lite Music Sucks") were replaced by WRNQ in 1989, a decision made by then-General Manager Donald Verity. The difficulty obtaining a transmitter site in the market also was a problem and Novick eventually settled on a site inside a small housing complex in Lagrangeville, New York, east of Poughkeepsie unlike most stations which broadcast on mountain peaks in Ulster County
.
WRNQ, better known as "Rockin Easy, Q-92" hit the air on June 30, 1989 and made a splash prior to signing on by stealing former WKIP morning man Van Ritshie to anchor an otherwise satellite-fed format (Unistar's "Format 41", today's Westwood One
"Adult Contemporary"). With no real competition in the format (WHUD
was still easy listening
and WKIP was going to talk programming), WRNQ reached top ratings levels within a year.
In 1996, Novick sold WRNQ, WKIP, and new sister WNSX
to Straus Media (owned by Eric Straus, heir to former ownership of WMCA
in New York City
) which in turn replaced the satellite-fed time periods with all-local programming, much of which from DJ's Straus transplanted from his stations in Ellenville
and Hudson
.. With this, the station picked up Delilah After Dark
at night . The pickup of Delilah, also on now-rival WHUD, was allowed via a geogographic loophole (WHUD and WRNQ are technically in different markets) which also allowed the two rivals to have the same jingle package for several years.
Eric Straus decided to leave radio ownership in 2000 to concentrate on two online ventures (Regional Help Wanted and Cupid.com), selling the whole group to Clear Channel Communications
. The next year, Van Ritshie retired from radio into a lucrative career in voiceovers, being replaced by cluster manager Joe Daily in the morning slot. In 2002, WRNQ began airing Christmas music in the weeks airing into Christmas after such a programming move became popular.
At the end of Christmas music in 2003, the station relaunched under the "LiteFM" brand of popular sister WLTW
in New York City in a move of "branding unity" which also was ironic considering the station's pre-signon change done to minimize confusion with WLTW. Outside of some music refocusing and the addition of a Saturday night dance programming, no major changes have been made since.
Poughkeepsie (city), New York
Poughkeepsie is a city in the state of New York, United States, which serves as the county seat of Dutchess County. Poughkeepsie is located in the Hudson River Valley midway between New York City and Albany...
and serving the Mid-Hudson Valley
Hudson Valley
The Hudson Valley comprises the valley of the Hudson River and its adjacent communities in New York State, United States, from northern Westchester County northward to the cities of Albany and Troy.-History:...
of New York state. The station is owned by Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. is an American media conglomerate company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. It was founded in 1972 by Lowry Mays and Red McCombs, and was taken private by Bain Capital LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners LP in a leveraged buyout in 2008...
and broadcasts at 6 kilowatts ERP
Effective radiated power
In radio telecommunications, effective radiated power or equivalent radiated power is a standardized theoretical measurement of radio frequency energy using the SI unit watts, and is determined by subtracting system losses and adding system gains...
from the Illinois Mountain master tower in Highland, New York
Highland, Ulster County, New York
Highland is a hamlet in Ulster County, New York, United States. The population was 5,060 at the 2000 census.Highland is a community in the Town of Lloyd, on U.S. Route 9W. Routes 44 and 55 run through it as well...
to which it moved in 2000. Unlike other Class A stations on that tower, WRNQ's signal is directional to protect first adjacents WXRK-FM New York City and WFLY
WFLY
WFLY is a Contemporary Hit Radio station licensed to Troy, New York and serving New York's Capital District as well as the surrounding areas, including the Adirondacks...
Troy.
A variation of WRNQ's format, without the simulcast and with different jocks, is broadcast on 98.5 WCTW
WCTW
WCTW is a hot adult contemporary music formatted radio station licensed to Catskill, New York, and serving Columbia and Greene counties as well as the upper Hudson Valley, the southern Capital District, and Berkshire County, Massachusetts...
Catskill, New York
Catskill (town), New York
Catskill is a town in the southeast part of Greene County, New York, United States. The population was 11,775 at the 2010 census. The western part of the town is in the Catskill Park....
. From March 2005 until November 2006, WRNQ's format and programming is "shadowcasted" on 99.3 WFKP Ellenville, New York
Ellenville, New York
Ellenville is a village in Ulster County, New York, United States. The population was 4,135 at the 2010 census. The postal ZIP code is 12428. The telephone exchange is predominantly 647 and an overlaid 210 in the 845 area code.- Geography :...
which aired the same air talent as WRNQ (and simulcasted WRNQ's "Joe Daily in the Morning").
History
The original construction permit for what became WRNQ was awarded in December 1985, several years after the FCC amended the table of allotments to allow for the 92.1 frequency to become active in Poughkeepsie. Around 1987, the frequency was awarded to WKIP owner Richard Novick, gained the WLMS (Lite Music Station) calls and announced that the station would take on a format near-identical to that which hit the air. The combination of potential ratings confusion with WLTWWLTW
WLTW is a radio station with an Adult Contemporary format in New York City.The station is often number one or close to it in Arbitron ratings for New York City. From 2002 to 2004, the station generated more revenue than any other radio station in the New York market...
("Lite FM") from New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and jokes from rivals about the call meaning ("Lite Music Sucks") were replaced by WRNQ in 1989, a decision made by then-General Manager Donald Verity. The difficulty obtaining a transmitter site in the market also was a problem and Novick eventually settled on a site inside a small housing complex in Lagrangeville, New York, east of Poughkeepsie unlike most stations which broadcast on mountain peaks in Ulster County
Ulster County, New York
Ulster County is a county located in the state of New York, USA. It sits in the state's Mid-Hudson Region of the Hudson Valley. As of the 2010 census, the population was 182,493. Recent population estimates completed by the United States Census Bureau for the 12-month period ending July 1 are at...
.
WRNQ, better known as "Rockin Easy, Q-92" hit the air on June 30, 1989 and made a splash prior to signing on by stealing former WKIP morning man Van Ritshie to anchor an otherwise satellite-fed format (Unistar's "Format 41", today's Westwood One
Westwood One
Westwood One was an American radio network and was based in New York City. At one time, it was managed by CBS Radio, the radio arm of CBS Corporation, and Viacom and was later purchased by the private equity firm The Gores Group...
"Adult Contemporary"). With no real competition in the format (WHUD
WHUD
WHUD is an Adult Contemporary radio station licensed to Peekskill, New York. The station is owned by Pamal Broadcasting and broadcasts on 100.7 MHz at 50 kW ERP from a tower site in Philipstown, New York.-History:...
was still easy listening
Easy listening
Easy listening is a broad style of popular music and radio format that emerged in the 1950s, evolving out of big band music, and related to MOR music as played on many AM radio stations. It encompasses the exotica, beautiful music, light music, lounge music, ambient music, and space age pop genres...
and WKIP was going to talk programming), WRNQ reached top ratings levels within a year.
In 1996, Novick sold WRNQ, WKIP, and new sister WNSX
WPKF
WPKF is a Rhythmic Top 40 radio station licensed to Poughkeepsie, New York and serving the Mid-Hudson Valley of New York state. The station is owned by Clear Channel Communications and broadcasts at 6 kilowatts ERP from a tower mounted on the roof of the Ross Pavilion at the Hudson River...
to Straus Media (owned by Eric Straus, heir to former ownership of WMCA
WMCA
WMCA, 570 AM, is a radio station in New York City, most known for its "Good Guys" Top 40 era in the 1960s. It is currently owned by Salem Communications and plays a Christian radio format...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
) which in turn replaced the satellite-fed time periods with all-local programming, much of which from DJ's Straus transplanted from his stations in Ellenville
Ellenville, New York
Ellenville is a village in Ulster County, New York, United States. The population was 4,135 at the 2010 census. The postal ZIP code is 12428. The telephone exchange is predominantly 647 and an overlaid 210 in the 845 area code.- Geography :...
and Hudson
Hudson, New York
Hudson is a city located along the west border of Columbia County, New York, United States. The city is named after the adjacent Hudson River and ultimately after the explorer Henry Hudson.Hudson is the county seat of Columbia County...
.. With this, the station picked up Delilah After Dark
Delilah Rene
Delilah Rene Luke , almost always known mononymously as Delilah, is an American radio personality, author, and songwriter, best known as the host of a nationally syndicated nightly U.S...
at night . The pickup of Delilah, also on now-rival WHUD, was allowed via a geogographic loophole (WHUD and WRNQ are technically in different markets) which also allowed the two rivals to have the same jingle package for several years.
Eric Straus decided to leave radio ownership in 2000 to concentrate on two online ventures (Regional Help Wanted and Cupid.com), selling the whole group to Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. is an American media conglomerate company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. It was founded in 1972 by Lowry Mays and Red McCombs, and was taken private by Bain Capital LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners LP in a leveraged buyout in 2008...
. The next year, Van Ritshie retired from radio into a lucrative career in voiceovers, being replaced by cluster manager Joe Daily in the morning slot. In 2002, WRNQ began airing Christmas music in the weeks airing into Christmas after such a programming move became popular.
At the end of Christmas music in 2003, the station relaunched under the "LiteFM" brand of popular sister WLTW
WLTW
WLTW is a radio station with an Adult Contemporary format in New York City.The station is often number one or close to it in Arbitron ratings for New York City. From 2002 to 2004, the station generated more revenue than any other radio station in the New York market...
in New York City in a move of "branding unity" which also was ironic considering the station's pre-signon change done to minimize confusion with WLTW. Outside of some music refocusing and the addition of a Saturday night dance programming, no major changes have been made since.