MD Radio: Christian Broadcasting Group To Buy WRNR

Christian radio group Peter and John Fellowship Inc. is buying WRNR 103.1 FM for $1.54 million, according to Federal Communications Commission filings.

WRNR 103.1 FM has been the hometown alternative rock station for the Annapolis area for decades, broadcasting from Grasonville with a station in the state capital.

The Christian broadcasting group will purchase the station’s FCC license along with some equipment, but WRNR’s owner, Empire Broadcasting Corp., is retaining its format, intellectual property and call letters. The pending acquisition would leave WTMD 89.7 Towson as the last Adult Album Alternative radio station in the area.

Peter and John Fellowship Inc. will fold 103.1 FM into its existing set of local stations, 95.1 Bright FM and AM 1230 WRBS. Neither Empire president Steve Kingston nor representatives from Peter and John Fellowship Inc. responded to requests for comment.

WRNR is known for pioneering young talent on its airwaves, helping the likes of Portugal. The Man, Maggie Rogers and Brandi Carlile get their start — much of which is due to legendary program director Bob Waugh, who retired in early 2022.

“It’s one less outlet to expose a lot of new and developing, as well as established, artists,” Waugh said in an interview with The Baltimore Banner. “WRNR’s playlist was very unique, and I would dare to say, you know, one of the most unique radio stations in the United States.”

Though the music industry is changing in the age of YouTube and Spotify, there is still massive competition among artists to get a spot on the radio, specifically on stations like WRNR.

The station is frequently listened to by music label executives and agents, all of whom relied on Waugh and WRNR staff’s tastemaking to help discover new artists. Not only that, the frequency itself — 103.1 FM — is a coveted spot on the dial, reaching listeners from the Baltimore area to the Eastern Shore.

WRNR 103.1 FM (6 Kw)

Over the years, the WRNR staff has developed a passionate fanbase and popular annual events with national draw. For example, WRNR’s Rock ‘N River Cruise attracted talent from all over the country to play on the Harbor Queen and sail along the Severn River.