WSRQ - A History
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WSRQ-AM 1220 Sarasota – SRQ Radio LLC (Don Murphy, president) acquired Nova Broadcasting’s WIBQ in 2006 and flipped its calls to WSRQ (SRQ stands for the three-letter IATA designating code for Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport) in early 2007. The one-kilowatt AM programmed a news/talk and sports format.
WSRQ began simulcasting its programming via an FM translator on 106.9 in the fall of 2009, which enabled it to reach a larger coverage area along Florida’s Suncoast.
In 2011, the station’s tower site relocated from Birky Street, near Beneva Road and Bahia Vista, to a new directional two-tower array off Palmer Boulevard, west of Debrecen Road. That same year, WSRQ was acquired by Florida Talk Radio LLC, a management/ownership group established by Lauren Rudd, Susan Nilon (GM and co-host of “Sarasota Talks”), Jim Lampl and Kent Kirschner. In 2012, offices and studios moved from 2127 Ringling Boulevard in Sarasota to 1100 S. Tamiami Trail.
Today (2012), WSRQ airs programs from syndicated talkers Don Imus, Laura Ingraham, Clark Howard, and Dennis Miller, in addition to a number of locally-produced talk and informational shows. The schedule also includes Tampa Bay Rays baseball, Tampa Bay Lightning hockey games, as well as USF Bulls and NFL gridiron action. Plus, on Sunday nights, three hours are devoted to Old Time Radio shows.
Other names in WSRQ history include Doug Miles (station manager, host/producer of the "Suncoast Magazine" and "Big Band Files," news/sports director/play-by-play 2007-2008), James Grady (GM-2008), Bob Biermann (chief engineer/station manager 2008/2009), Lisa Murphy (PD-2009), Kathy Schille (sales-2010), Matt Bruce (host of “Suncoast Morning News”), and Steve Huggins (PD-2011).
(Please contact us if you have additional information to share about WSRQ.)
Station History
2006 - 2012 Other Tampa Bay Area Stations (History)
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