 | |
| |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Pioneer Valley |
| Frequency | 100.9MHz (HD Radio) |
| Branding | Kix 100.9 |
| Programming | |
| Format | Country |
| Affiliations | Premiere Networks |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| History | |
First air date | November 12,1990[1] |
Former call signs | WHCI (1987–1990) |
| Technical information[2] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 25906 |
| Class | A |
| ERP | 870 watts |
| HAAT | 211 meters (692 ft) |
Transmitter coordinates | 42°15′7.3″N72°38′39.3″W / 42.252028°N 72.644250°W /42.252028; -72.644250 (WRNX) |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen live |
| Website | mykix1009 |
WRNX (100.9FM) is an American radio station licensed to serve thecommunity ofAmherst, Massachusetts. The station is owned byiHeartMedia and thebroadcast license is held by iHM Licenses, LLC.
The station was assigned the WRNX call letters by theFederal Communications Commission on September 21, 1990.[3]
WRNX airs acountry music format.[4] The format change to country music from WRNX's longtimeadult album alternative format was part of sister station WPKX's move to theHartford, Connecticut, market, where it becameWUCS.[5]
In addition to its usual music programming, WRNX has served as the flagship station forUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst athletics broadcasts.[6] The station has carried all of the school's men's basketball, hockey and football games plus coaches shows and women's basketball games since 2002.
WRNX also carriesNASCAR races.
In spring 2003,Pamal Broadcasting Ltd. (James Morrell, chairman/CEO) reached an agreement to acquireWPNI and WRNX from Western Massachusetts Radio Co. (Thomas G. Davis, president), for a reported sale price of $8 million.[7] The broker for this transaction was Doug Ferber of Star Media Group, Inc. At the time of the purchase, WRNX broadcast a rock-leaning adult album alternative music format.[8]
In the summer of 2006,iHeartMedia, under its former name of Clear Channel Communications (John Hogan, CEO, radio), reached an agreement to acquire WRNX from Pamal Broadcasting Ltd (James Morrell, chairman/CEO) in exchange for five radio stations on other states.[9] The other stations in the deal wereWBPM andWGHQ in upstate New York,WZRT andWSYB inRutland, Vermont, andWPYR inBaton Rouge, Louisiana.[10] Published reports state that no cash changed hands in this transaction.[11]
Rachel Maddow, host ofThe Rachel Maddow Show onMSNBC and formerAir America Radio personality, got her start through a contest to find a new sidekick forThe Dave in the Morning Show.[12][13] Maddow says, "I was crashing with friends in Massachusetts, working odd jobs, when they told me to try out. And they hired me on the spot. Radio came to me, I didn't come to it."[14]