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Tuesday, August 1, 2023

Detroit Radio: Country WDRQ Signs-Off


Family Life Radio (FLR) is continuing 35 years of radio ministry in metro Detroit and can now be heard on 93.1 FM WUFL. FLR broadcasts in 11 states and has 36 signals now including 93.1 FM WUFL.

FLR has officially closed on it purchase of Cumulus Media's “New Country 93.1” WDRQ-FM.

This is FLR’s seventh signal in Michigan, joining their existing signals in Albion (96.7 FM), Battle Creek (101.1 FM and AM 1400), Lansing (99.9 FM), Mason (AM 1110) and Midland (99.7 FM). With the addition of WUFL, FLR reaches 80% of the Michigan population.

“For the first time ever, Family Life Radio will cover the entire metro Detroit area with one high quality signal, providing messages of hope and encouragement to those tuning in,” said Evan Carlson, President and Chief Executive Officer for FLR.

“Family Life Radio is looking forward to serving the metro Detroit audience in the coming year with events, community outreach and more,” said Mike Kankelfritz, FLR Morning Show Host and Chief Engagement Officer.

FLR features a Christian contemporary format, playing artists such as Phil Wickham, for King & Country, CeCe Winans and Matt Maher. Stream FLR online at myflr.org, the Family Life Radio app and other various radio apps.

The history of the station dates back to 1947 and was originally owned by Storer Broadcasting. It signed-on as WJBK-FM in the summer of 1947.  Over the years the station has aired a series of formats, including country back in 1969-1971.

WDRQ again returned to country music as Nash FM 93.1 on January 2, 2014. The first "official" song under the format was "Radio" by Darius Rucker. 

On February 18, 2020, WDRQ rebranded as New Country 93.1. The station is currently ranked 18th (2.1 6+) in the market, behind Audacy's  Country WYCD (6.1). With the sale, Cumulus Detroit director of FM programming David Corey is departing the company.

Cumulus has been divesting what it calls its non-core assets, which includes selling off stations in major markets where it has trailed larger clusters. During the past four years Cumulus has sold all of its stations in New York City: hot AC WPLJ (95.5), country “94.7 Nash-FM” WNSH, talk WABC (770) and “Talk FM 103.9” WFAS-FM. 

It has sold heritage rocker KLOS Los Angeles, hot AC “Mix 107.3” WRQX Washington and “Talk 106.7” WYAY Atlanta.

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