ABOUT US

Radio in Newport, New Hampshire began on August 11th, 1960  on Belknap Ave. Thru the 60's, 70's & 80's, WCNL evolved formats from country to rock, to oldies, etc.  However one of the most popular features to WCNL had always been "Trading Time" - where listeners could buy, sell, trade or giveaway items on the radio.  This feature is still a staple to our modern day WCNL.

After WCNL outgrew it's original studio location on Belknap Ave, the station moved to West Street, Newport.

One honor that is exclusive to WCNL is that fact that WCNL was the very first radio station to play a small, local band named Aerosmith on it's airwaves.    Rumor has it, in the older days, Aerosmith use to hang out at the WCNL studios.

In 1988, WCNL was purchased Bob Vinikoor, who still currently owns WCNL and is the longest owned radio station in New Hampshire.  WCNL changed it s call letters to WNTK-AM, and eventually became the original WNTK.  Thru the late 90's/mid-2000's, we became an "Americana."

Then in the early Fall of 2007, all the stars aligned  and the  WCNL had the chance to return.  Oct 24th, 2007 @ 5:30am, local radio returned to Newport as WCNL threw the switch and was officially re-established. 

Our return was embraced immediately in Sullivan County, as listeners who were fed up wtih sub-par  radio, and nationally focused content were happy to find a locally run country station that plays REAL county and that is always family friendly & always for our community.

Since 1960, radio has always been in Newport , and with the re-establishment of WCNL on Main Street, we're here to serve Sullivan County.