WNRG-FM

WNRG-FM (106.9 FM) - branded as Energy 106.9 - is a rhythmic contemporary radio station in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, licensed to the suburb of Brookfield. The station, which is owned by Saga Communications, is branded as "Energy 106.9". Its studios (which are shared with the other four sister stations) and transmitter are located in Milwaukee's West Side.

History

Early years (1995–2007)

The 106.9 frequency came into being in Milwaukee when it was licensed as WLJU on February 10, 1993. The new station was owned by Harris Classical Broadcasting, which also owned Milwaukee's heritage Classical station, WFMR. It formally signed on for the first time in August 1995 as WFMI, playing a satellite-fed smooth jazz format. A more powerful and resourceful station, WJZI (93.3) converted from a failing rock format as WQFM to smooth jazz in 1996, giving WFMI stiff competition.

Both stations were sold to Saga Communications and WFMI was quickly switched to a Modern AC format, becoming WXPT on May 14, 1997, branded as "106.9 The Point" (the first song on "The Point" was Sheryl Crow's "A Change Would Do You Good"). When Chicago's WPNT-FM changed formats a few months later, 106.9 picked up the WPNT call sign. They had modest success for a small station, but a few of the bigger stations in the market took notice and adjusted their playlists to fight off the young suburban upstart.