WSRQ broadcasts at 98.9FM, 106.9FM and 1220AM.

Jim Lampl, an investor in Sarasota radio station WSRQ since its inception, took over day-to-day operation of the station this month. We spoke with Lampl and Jill Delano, the station’s general manager, about the future of the media outlet. 

Will there be any significant change in format for the station? Lampl: We are still thinking the talk format has a lot of value and a lot of upside potential. People can get music in so many different platforms, but this is one of only places you can get locally owned, locally operated, independent talk. The big differentiation between us and the other presets is they are all music. I tell people give us one preset and we’ll give you local talk news.

Will there be an increase in locally-produced material? And will there ever be a local morning show? Lampl: Our goal is to keep expanding the local programming. We’re going to do a thorough analysis of all of our syndicated line-up. At the very least, we’ll be moving some programs around to different time slots as we increase local programming. DeLano: It’s one of our goals. We have been doing afternoon drive time but we want morning. It’s a natural extension of what we are doing. 

Will you be hosting a show yourself? What are the plans to replace The Nilon Report in the afternoons? Lampl: No, I’m hoping I’m smart enough to find better talent than I. With the team we have in place, I’m very optimistic about our future. We have great talent. We want to see a new, dynamic, fresh afternoon show. We are looking at three or four different people who we are excited about. We’re working hard, and we are also having fun on this adventure.

Are there plans to increase the broadcast reach of the station? Lampl: Yes. We are designing and going for permits and constructing a new tower to have a stronger reach. We want a new tower online in the next six months to strengthen our potential in Manatee County. DeLano: We have potential to pick up an additional 1.4 million listeners by increasing the signal in Manatee. 

WSRQ broadcasts at 98.9FM, 106.9FM and 1220AM.