WSNI
Encyclopedia
WSNI is a radio station
licensed
to serve Keene, New Hampshire
. The station is owned by Monadnock Radio Group, a division of Saga Communications
, and licensed to Saga Communications of New England, LLC. It airs an adult contemporary music format, via Citadel Media's Hits & Favorites
service.
was granted on February 1, 1980, with the call letters WXYW assigned on October 28; this was changed to WINQ-FM on December 29, 1982. It took to the air in February 1983, though a license to cover was not issued until May 25, 1984. (The "-FM" suffix was dropped on May 13, 1991.)
WINQ was originally licensed to Winchendon, Massachusetts
, and primarily targeted its programming to northern Worcester County
. Initially, WINQ offered an easy listening
format, airing primarily vocals, as well as several instrumentals an hour. In 1987, the station segued to an adult contemporary format; this gave way to an oldies
format two years later. In 1993, WINQ again changed its format, this time to hot adult contemporary.
Saga purchased the station in 2003 and began to reorient WINQ to the Keene area. After a brief stint simulcasting WKBK
's news/talk
format, the station became a country
station that August.
In early 2005, Saga swapped formats with its sister station on 98.7 FM
, becoming WOQL, an oldies
station. Around this time, WOQL relocated from its original transmitter near Winchendon to Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire
, improving its signal in Keene.
The station changed its call letters to WSNI on October 16, 2006, prefacing its change to the current adult contemporary format at the end of 2006. WSNI then continued its relocation into Keene; it changed its city of license to Swanzey
and relocated its transmitter to Keene in November 2007, and again changed its city of license, this time to Keene itself, in late 2008.
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 Keene, New Hampshire
Keene, New Hampshire
Keene is a city in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 23,409 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Cheshire County.Keene is home to Keene State College and Antioch University New England, and hosts the annual Pumpkin Fest...
. The station is owned by Monadnock Radio Group, a division of Saga Communications
Saga Communications
Saga Communications is a broadcasting company that owns and operates stations in 26 markets in the United States. The company, which is based in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, primarily operates radio stations , but it also operates 9 television stations Saga Communications is a broadcasting...
, and licensed to Saga Communications of New England, LLC. It airs an adult contemporary music format, via Citadel Media's Hits & Favorites
Hits & Favorites
Hits & Favorites, also known as ABC AC, is one of the 24-hour live radio formats produced by Cumulus Media Networks...
service.
History
The station's original construction permitConstruction permit
A construction permit or building permit is a permit required in most jurisdictions for new construction, or adding on to pre-existing structures, and in some cases for major renovations. Generally, the new construction must be inspected during construction and after completion to ensure compliance...
was granted on February 1, 1980, with the call letters WXYW assigned on October 28; this was changed to WINQ-FM on December 29, 1982. It took to the air in February 1983, though a license to cover was not issued until May 25, 1984. (The "-FM" suffix was dropped on May 13, 1991.)
WINQ was originally licensed to Winchendon, Massachusetts
Winchendon, Massachusetts
Winchendon is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, USA. The population was 10,300 at the 2010 census. Home to Winchendon State Forest, the town includes the villages of Waterville and Winchendon Springs....
, and primarily targeted its programming to northern Worcester County
Worcester County, Massachusetts
-Demographics:In 1990 Worcester County had a population of 709,705.As of the census of 2000, there were 750,963 people, 283,927 households, and 192,502 families residing in the county. The population density was 496 people per square mile . There were 298,159 housing units at an average density...
. Initially, WINQ offered an 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...
format, airing primarily vocals, as well as several instrumentals an hour. In 1987, the station segued to an adult contemporary format; this gave way to an oldies
Oldies
Oldies is a term commonly used to describe a radio format that concentrates on music from a period of about 15 to 55 years before the present day....
format two years later. In 1993, WINQ again changed its format, this time to hot adult contemporary.
Saga purchased the station in 2003 and began to reorient WINQ to the Keene area. After a brief stint simulcasting WKBK
WKBK
WKBK is a radio station broadcasting a News Talk Information format. Licensed to Keene, New Hampshire, USA, the station is currently owned by Monadnock Radio Group and licensed to Saga Communications of New England, LLC and features programming from Westwood One, CBS Radio and Premiere Radio...
's news/talk
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...
format, the station became a country
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...
station that August.
In early 2005, Saga swapped formats with its sister station on 98.7 FM
WINQ
WINQ is a radio station licensed to serve Winchester, New Hampshire. The station is owned by Monadnock Radio Group and licensed to Saga Communications of New Hampshire, LLC...
, becoming WOQL, an oldies
Oldies
Oldies is a term commonly used to describe a radio format that concentrates on music from a period of about 15 to 55 years before the present day....
station. Around this time, WOQL relocated from its original transmitter near Winchendon to Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire
Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire
Fitzwilliam is a town in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 2,396 at the 2010 census. Fitzwilliam is home to Rhododendron State Park, a grove of native rhododendrons that bloom in mid-July.-History:...
, improving its signal in Keene.
The station changed its call letters to WSNI on October 16, 2006, prefacing its change to the current adult contemporary format at the end of 2006. WSNI then continued its relocation into Keene; it changed its city of license to Swanzey
Swanzey, New Hampshire
Swanzey is a town in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 7,230 at the 2010 census. In addition to the town center, Swanzey includes the villages of East Swanzey, West Swanzey, North Swanzey, and Westport.-History:...
and relocated its transmitter to Keene in November 2007, and again changed its city of license, this time to Keene itself, in late 2008.