Cortona Media AAA “93.5 WRNR” 810 WYRE/93.5 W228ER Annapolis MD will begin simulcasting in Washington DC on March 1 on Hubbard Radio’s 93.5 W228DI Silver Spring MD/WTOP-HD4 Washington.
The move will expand WRNR’s programming across Central Maryland with the pair of translators serving the US50 corridor between Washington and Annapolis. The brand had relaunched last July in Annapolis after predecessor 103.1 WRNR-FM Grasonville was sold in 2023. Former owner Steve Kingston would then transfer the station to Kirk Litton and Jay Stevens in November.
Cortona Media partner Kirk Litton said, “How crazy is this?! This marriage was just too perfect to pass up. I appreciate Joel Oxley reaching out to us for this amazing opportunity. WRNR has doubled in listenership in the Annapolis metro since we relaunched on 93.5 FM seven months ago. This is another major step forward.”
Partner Jay Stevens commented, “Expanding the WRNR brand on the exact same FM frequency to cover most of DC suburbs with the Annapolis signal will cover a population of just over 1.2 million. Consumers will now be able to listen to WRNR uninterrupted on their commute in and out of Annapolis and Washington.”
W228ER had been leased along with 1050 WBQH to United Media Communications as Regional Mexican “La Mera Mera” for fifteen years until last September when the company ceased operations. Since then the station has simulcast Hubbard’s Freeform “The Gamut” brand.
Hubbard Washington President Joel Oxley added, “We’re thrilled to be partnering with 93.5 WRNR in Annapolis to extend the coverage of their brand of alternative rock to our frequency signal at 93.5 FM in Silver Spring. Millions more people will now be able to listen to WRNR’s mix of alt rock’s best and latest. Personally, WRNR has been one of my favorite radio stations in addition to WTOP, of course, for the last 3 decades!”.
