WRCE
Encyclopedia
WRCE is a radio station
licensed
to serve Watkins Glen, New York
. The station is owned by Backyard Broadcasting
and licensed to Backyard Broadcasting Elmira Licensee, LLC. Its last format was reported as talk radio
, but had more recently been simulcasting its sister station, country music
WPGI
100.9 FM, with occasional breakaways for sports coverage (most commonly NASCAR
, which runs an annual race at Watkins Glen International Speedway). The station had been Silent
due to a tower collapse between December 2009 and February 2010, but has since returned to the air, though its format is not known.
The station originally signed on in 1968 as WGMF, a daytime-only station on 1500 kHz (the same frequency as clear channel WTOP in Washington). The station later moved to 1490 kHz to broadcast 24 hours a day; during the early 2000s, the station aired an adult standards
format as WTYX. The station was assigned the WRCE call letters by the Federal Communications Commission
on January 22, 2008
.
WRCE's tower collapsed on December 14, 2009, killing a worker and causing the station to go silent.
From June 30 to July 4, 2011, WRCE ran a simulcast of "The Bunny", a temporary radio station run by the band Phish
for their weekend long Superball IX
concert festival at Watkins Glen International, also run on Sirius XM's Jam On station and the Phish website. The station had an eclectic mix of music from Phish and other artists, and had a live broadcast all eight sets of music performed by Phish over the weekend.
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
licensed
City of license
A city of license or community of license, in American and Canadian broadcasting, is the community that a radio station or television station is officially licensed to serve by that country's broadcast regulator....
to serve Watkins Glen, New York
Watkins Glen, New York
Watkins Glen is a village in Schuyler County, New York, United States. The population was 2,149 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Schuyler County.The Village of Watkins Glen lies on the border of the towns of Dix and Montour....
. The station is owned by Backyard Broadcasting
Backyard Broadcasting
Backyard Broadcasting is a radio broadcasting company, primarily owning radio stations in medium-sized, small and rural markets in the United States. The company is owned by the private equity firms Boston Ventures Management and Pacific Corporate Group and is headed by Barry Drake, the former head...
and licensed to Backyard Broadcasting Elmira Licensee, LLC. Its last format was reported as talk radio
Talk radio
Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues. Most shows are regularly hosted by a single individual, and often feature interviews with a number of different guests. Talk radio typically includes an element of listener participation, usually by broadcasting live...
, but had more recently been simulcasting its sister station, country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
WPGI
WPGI
WPGI is a radio station broadcasting a Country music format. Licensed to Horseheads, New York, USA, the station serves the Elmira-Corning area...
100.9 FM, with occasional breakaways for sports coverage (most commonly NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
, which runs an annual race at Watkins Glen International Speedway). The station had been Silent
Dark (broadcasting)
In the broadcasting industry, dark is a term used to describe a radio station or television station that has gone off-the-air for an indefinite period of time, or as defined by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission , a "silent" station...
due to a tower collapse between December 2009 and February 2010, but has since returned to the air, though its format is not known.
The station originally signed on in 1968 as WGMF, a daytime-only station on 1500 kHz (the same frequency as clear channel WTOP in Washington). The station later moved to 1490 kHz to broadcast 24 hours a day; during the early 2000s, the station aired an adult standards
Adult standards
Adult standards is a North American radio format heard primarily on AM or class A FM stations.Adult standards is aimed at "mature" adults, meaning mainly those persons over 50 years of age, but it is mostly targeted for senior citizens...
format as WTYX. The station was assigned the WRCE call letters by the Federal Communications Commission
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent agency of the United States government, created, Congressional statute , and with the majority of its commissioners appointed by the current President. The FCC works towards six goals in the areas of broadband, competition, the spectrum, the...
on January 22, 2008
2008 in radio
Several events occurred in radio in 2008.- Events :* January 2: WWFT finished Christmas music stunting, rolling out the red carpet for Adult contemporary music branded as "Warm."...
.
WRCE's tower collapsed on December 14, 2009, killing a worker and causing the station to go silent.
From June 30 to July 4, 2011, WRCE ran a simulcast of "The Bunny", a temporary radio station run by the band Phish
Phish
Phish is an American rock band noted for its musical improvisation, extended jams, and exploration of music across genres. Formed at the University of Vermont in 1983 , the band's four members – Trey Anastasio , Mike Gordon , Jon Fishman , and Page McConnell Phish is an American rock band...
for their weekend long Superball IX
Phish festivals
Starting in 1996, American jam band Phish has hosted a series of festivals.-The Clifford Ball:The Clifford Ball was the first of nine weekend-long festivals hosted by Phish throughout their career. The event took place on August 16 and 17, 1996, on the site of a former Air Force base in...
concert festival at Watkins Glen International, also run on Sirius XM's Jam On station and the Phish website. The station had an eclectic mix of music from Phish and other artists, and had a live broadcast all eight sets of music performed by Phish over the weekend.