Broadcast area Tijuana/San Diego Frequency 104.9 MHz | Branding "XLNC1 104.9 FM" Format Classical music | |
City Tecate, Baja California First air date 1998 as an Internet radio station
February 14, 2000 on 90.7 MHz
February 10, 2008 on 104.9 MHz | ||
XHLNC-FM (identified on-air as XLNC1) is a non-commercial radio station in Tecate, Baja California, Mexico, broadcasting on 104.9 MHz. It broadcasts in English and Spanish serving the Tijuana and San Diego, California, United States areas with studios in Chula Vista, California and a transmitter on Cerro Bola. The station was founded by Víctor Díaz, who owned Califórmula Broadcasting. Upon his death in 2004, Diaz stipulated that the station continue with a classical format.
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Background
XLNC1 began as an internet radio project showcasing classical music, evolving into a physical radio station on 90.7 MHz upon receiving its permit in January 2000. As a Mexican-licensed station, and in an effort to serve both the Spanish and English speaking communities, nearly all the pieces it plays are introduced in Spanish, and at the conclusion of the piece the information is given in English.
There are many in-house productions showcasing classical music, many of these shows are hosted by announcer Kingsley McLaren. Aside from McLaren, other voices such as Sue Harland, Gabriela Guinea-Johnston (chief Spanish announcer), and Gordon Brown can be heard as announcers.
Frequency change
XHLNC was originally permitted to broadcast with a Class A 1,000-watt signal, broadcasting from a tower located in Tijuana. Due to the directional signal that it transmitted to the north, Los Angeles's KPFK provided co-channel interference. The frequency was assigned by the Mexican government according to the terms of a treaty between the US and Mexico concerning radio stations near the border.
On June 29, 2007, the Federal Telecommunications Commission cleared XHLNC-FM to move to Cerro Bola in Tecate (also used by XHHIT-FM and XHPRS-FM) on 104.9 MHz. The move, announced by XLNC1 the next month, would bring less interference to the station (resolving interference to KPFK), allowed the station to boost its power from 1,000 watts to 7,500 watts, and moved the tower to "the highest point in Baja", 1,280 metres (4,200 ft) above sea level.
The frequency change finally occurred on February 10, 2008. At first, the 90.7 frequency aired pre-recorded message by Gordon Brown stating that XLNC1 had moved to 104.9 FM. Because 104.9 had a noticeably narrower coverage area than 90.7, many listeners lost their ability to listen to XLNC1's programs. About two weeks after the frequency change XLNC1's e-mail newsletter reported that there was a faulty component in the transmitter that would take some time to replace. On February 26, XLNC1 decided to simulcast programming on both 90.7 and 104.9 frequencies. By fall of that year, XLNC1 had their 90.7 frequency taken back by the Mexican government, and they were broadcasting only on 104.9 FM.
In 2010, XHTIM-FM was authorized to move from 97.7 to 90.7 and increase its power.
Format change
As of July 2010, XLNC1 decided to remove the label "Classical Music" from its advertising and replace it with more generic terms such as "Great Music", "Beautiful Music", and "Music for all generations." The decision was also made to remove lengthy repertoire and opera from general programming in favor of lighter classical and crossover works. This was explained as a method to reach out to younger listeners. The station continues to broadcast lengthier works in the evenings with programs entitled "Gala Concerts".