WCRI-FM

WCRI-FM
City Block Island, Rhode Island
Broadcast area Southern Rhode Island
Branding Classical 95.9
Frequency 95.9 MHz
First air date June 13, 1994
Format Classical
ERP 6,000 watts
HAAT 76 meters
Class A
Facility ID 67119
Transmitter coordinates 41°10′21.00″N 71°33′52.00″W / 41.1725000°N 71.5644444°W / 41.1725000; -71.5644444 (WCRI-FM)
Callsign meaning Classical Rhode Island
Former callsigns WVBI (1994–1999)
WCRI (1999–2011)
Affiliations World Classical Network
Owner Judson Group, Inc.
Webcast Listen Live
Listen Live (MP3)
Website classical959.com

WCRI-FM (95.9 FM; "Classical 95.9") is a classical music-formatted radio station in Block Island, Rhode Island, affiliated with the World Classical Network. The station is owned by Judson Group, Inc., a company that includes the son and grandsons of broadcasting pioneer Ted Jones, founder of Charles River Broadcasting and Boston classical music station WCRB.

History

The original construction permit for the station was granted on October 16, 1990,[1] with the call sign WVBI assigned on November 30.[2] The station signed on June 13, 1994,[3] though the license to cover was not issued until April 12, 1995.[4]

Although the station has always had a classical format,[5] WVBI initially had a limited programming schedule[6] (mainly from the now-defunct Classic FM network[7]); furthermore, its signal had trouble covering even Block Island.[6] Charles River Broadcasting acquired WVBI in early 1999,[6] at which point the station was renamed to WCRI.[2] The station then performed upgrades; in addition to affiliating with WCN (then commonly owned with WCRI), a new tower was constructed in 2001 (which also enabled stereo broadcasting),[8] and translator station W243AI (96.5) in Newport, Rhode Island, which had relayed Charles River Broadcasting flagship WCRB since the translator's sign-on in 1996,[7] carried WCRI's programming for several years before becoming a WMVY translator in 2004.[9]

Charles River Broadcasting announced on October 27, 2005, that it was exploring the sale of its properties,[10] with Judson Group purchasing WCRI and sister station WCNX in 2006.[11] WCRI began to simulcast on 1180 AM, replacing WCNX, on October 1, 2011;[12] to reflect this, the station added the "-FM" suffix on September 8, 2011.[2] (The AM station was sold to Red Wolf Broadcasting Corporation in 2014, and dropped the WCRI-FM simulcast for a Red Wolf-programmed oldies format under the WSKP call sign in December 2013.)

References

  1. ↑ "Application Search Details (1)". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved December 5, 2009.
  2. 1 2 3 "Call Sign History". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  3. ↑ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2002–2003 (PDF). 2002. p. D-396. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  4. ↑ "Application Search Details (2)". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved December 5, 2009.
  5. ↑ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1995 (PDF). 1995. p. B-362. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
  6. 1 2 3 Fybush, Scott (February 6, 1999). "WKOX, WLLH Sold". North East RadioWatch. Retrieved December 5, 2009.
  7. 1 2 Fybush, Scott (July 5, 1996). "WRKO Fun, and San Juan too!". New England RadioWatch. Retrieved December 5, 2009.
  8. ↑ Fybush, Scott (July 17, 2001). "CTV Adds Montreal to O&O Roster". North East RadioWatch. Retrieved December 5, 2009.
  9. ↑ Fybush, Scott (December 6, 2004). "WAQX-Stern Feud Escalates". NorthEast Radio Watch. Retrieved December 5, 2009.
  10. ↑ Reidy, Chris (October 28, 2005). "WCRB's parent company exploring a sale". The Boston Globe. Retrieved December 5, 2009.
  11. ↑ Fybush, Scott (September 18, 2006). "Ed Ansin Gets His Duopoly". NorthEast Radio Watch. Retrieved December 5, 2009.
  12. ↑ "R.I. News Digest". The Providence Journal. September 20, 2011. Retrieved September 21, 2011.
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