Did you know that WQXR’s story began not with FM but with a mechanical television station? WQXR-AM isn’t just a radio station it’s a living legend in New York City. Its roots stretch back to 1929 when John V L Hogan and Elliott Sanger launched W2XR. This wasn’t your typical broadcast. W2XR was a mechanical television station that also happened to play classical music. Ironically one of its early listeners was Edwin Howard Armstrong the inventor of FM radio. Armstrong even rebroadcast some of WQXR’s programming on his experimental FM station W2XMN.
But Hogan and Sanger weren’t content to rely on others. In 1939 they launched their own experimental FM station W2XQR. This put them right next to Armstrong on the dial a fascinating chapter in broadcasting history. WQXR-AM became a cornerstone of New York’s cultural landscape. Known as the radio station of The New York Times it provided listeners with exquisite classical music. Its influence spread far. In the 1950s WQXR-FM’s programming even reached upstate New York via the Rural Radio Network.
Imagine the thrill of early stereo broadcasts. WQXR was a pioneer. In the 1950s it experimented with stereo using two microphones during live concerts. One microphone fed the AM signal the other the FM. Listeners could even achieve stereo by placing two radios a few feet apart one tuned to AM and the other to FM. A truly ingenious solution for its time. Later the station’s move to FM 96.3 MHz cemented its place in the hearts of classical music lovers. The 1990s brought changes. WQXR-AM switched from classical music to standards.
In 2009 a pivotal moment arrived. WQXR-FM swapped frequencies. The New York Times Company traded its 96.3 MHz license to Univision for 105.9 MHz. New York Public Radio took over operations on 105.9 FM securing WQXR’s future as a non-commercial station. This event marked the end of an era yet ushered in a new chapter for the legendary station. The iconic WQXR brand lives on a testament to its enduring legacy. Today WQXR continues to enrich New York City with its unwavering commitment to classical music a true symbol of the city’s vibrant cultural scene. The station’s enduring presence a legacy built on innovation and unwavering dedication to classical music. That’s the story of WQXR-AM in a nutshell.