RCN Radio explained

Country:CO
RCN Radio
Area:Bogotá
Branding:HJJX, HJVC
Airdate:1929 (as La voz de Barranquilla
1932 (as Colombia Broadcasting)
1935 (as Emisora Nueva Granada)
Format:News / talk
Owner:OrganizaciĂłn Ardila LĂĽlle
Former Callsigns:HJKL
Affiliations:RCN TelevisiĂłn

RCN Radio (Radio Cadena Nacional, "National Radio Network") is one of the main radio networks in Colombia. Founded in 1949 with the integration of Radio Pacífico (Cali), La Voz de Medellín and Emisora Nueva Granada (Bogotá).[1] [2]

Carlos Ardila LĂĽlle is its main shareholder since 1973.

History

It was founded on May 17, 1948, by Enrique and Roberto Ramírez, owners of Radio Nueva Granada in Bogotá and Radio La Voz in Medellín. These stations, along with Radio Pacífico in Cali, were originally intended to broadcast the first Eucharistic Congress of Cali to both cities. Due to the magnitude of the event, several stations nationwide expressed interest in broadcasting it. Lacking equipment and funding, the Ramírez brothers proposed uniting all the stations under the name "Radio Cadena Nacional" (National Network Radio) to broadcast the Congress with a single microphone to the entire country via repeaters.

Enrique Ramírez acquired the first 250-watt FM transmitter in Colombia and moved it to Monserrate Hill in Bogotá, as well as the repeaters for Radio Nueva Granada in Medellín and Manizales.

In 1947, the Antioquian textile company Fabricato acquired 50% of the station.

In 1948, the station installed antennas to connect Cali with the network's broadcasts, which eventually reached Bucaramanga.

Following the Bogotazo (the riots in Bogotá), the government ordered the closure of several Radio Cadena Nacional stations and forced the network to censor its political stance, eliminating all political programming. Finally, the network was compelled to shift its focus to entertainment, featuring radio dramas and live artistic performances. Later, the radio station introduced sports broadcasts such as the Tour of Colombia and matches from the Colombian First Division and the FIFA World Cup under the name "Fútbol RCN." Some matches were linked to the Antena 2 station, and in Barranquilla, Radio Uno broadcast Colombian soccer and matches of the Colombian National Team.In the rest of the coastal cities, Radio Uno broadcast only the Colombian National Team matches.

This station was also linked to Rumba Estéreo and La Cariñosa.

Since July 17, 2023, the news service of RCN Radio's main network merged with La FM to operate under the name "La FM de RCN," under the direction of Luis Carlos Vélez. [3]

On October 4, 2024, Luis Carlos Vélez stepped down as director of La FM following the controversy generated by his statements regarding the COP16 and the coverage provided by the regional channel Telepacífico. As of October 7, the direction of the "La FM News" was assumed by Juan Lozano.

The RCN Radio Basic Network ceased broadcasting on August 1, 2025, at midnight, after the end of the program "Nocturna RCN," following more than 75 years of continuous transmission. It was replaced by La FM Plus, which began broadcasting on two RCN Radio frequencies, one Fantástica frequency, and one Radio Uno Bucaramanga frequency.

On August 4, 2025, RCN Radio implemented a nationwide reorganization of its network of stations. La FM became the company's flagship network. The latter gradually took over the frequencies of the former station, mostly on FM. Meanwhile, the station Alerta (radio station) Alerta replaced La Cariñosa on all its frequencies and also began broadcasting on some RCN Radio AM repeaters. Other stations such as Radio Red and Radio Cristal will begin rebroadcasting Radio Uno's programming in their respective cities.

Networks and radioformulas

Current Radio Stations

General Interest Radio Stations

The programming of these stations prioritizes news, analysis, and community service content. Some of them complement their programming with music segments.

StationStyleFormat
La FMNationalAM, FM, DTT and Internet
AlertaLocal News Outlet Local and RegionalAM, FM, DTT and Internet

Music Stations

The content of these stations is mostly based on music. It is sometimes supplemented with short audience interaction segments or brief news reports.

StationStyleFormat
La FM PlusAdult ContemporaryFM, DTT and Internet
Radio UnoCrossoverAM, FM, DTT and Internet
La MegaYouthFM, DTT and Internet
El SolSalsa and tropicalAM, FM and Internet

Defunct Radio Stations

Station Period of Operation
Emisora Nueva Granada 1935–1989
Radio Pacífico 1942–1983
La Voz de la Sabana 1976–1981
Emisora Monserrate 1978–1983
Radio El Sol 1981–1989
Radio Horizonte 1982–1987
Radio Tequendama 1982–1991
Barranquilla Estéreo 1982–1993
Radio Internacional 1991–1994
Radio Palonegro N/A
610 Bolero 1994–2000; 2006–2008
Radio Mundial 1973–1987
Bolero Stereo 2008–2010
Rumba Estéreo 1987–2025
Antena 2 Plus 2014
Amor Stereo 1982–2025
Fiesta 2005–2025
Radio Fantástica 2011–2025
RCN Radio Cadena Básica 1948–2025
La Cariñosa 2000–2025

RCN Radio Basic Network former frequencies

CityDepartment AM frequencyFM frequency
770 93.9
990 94.4
980 98.0
760
800
1020
1000
640
940
1060
1240
1340
1370
1180
1380
1110
910
1260
1120
Florencia (Radio Uno Florencia) 1440
1340
Yopal (La Voz de Yopal) 750
Arauca (La Voz del RĂ­o Arauca) 1110
Riohacha (Rumba St. Riohacha) 93.7
San Juan del Cesar (La Voz de la Provincia de Padilla) 1530
QuibdĂł (La Voz del ChocĂł)1150
Mocoa (Putumayo Stereo) 106.3
San José del Guaviare (La Voz del Guaviare)1180
1290
1140
1220
1200
La Dorada (Radio Uno La Dorada) 1080
Ipiales (Radio Las Lajas) 1160
Puerto AsĂ­s (Putumayo Stereo) 101.6
1370
1310
1170
Neiva (La Radio) 1150
Neiva (La F.M.) 1100
Neiva (La Cariñosa) Huila1340
Neiva (La Mega Stereo) Huila90.3
La Plata (Global Stereo) 96.8
GarzĂłn (La Reina) 93.6
Garzón (La Cariñosa) 1490
GarzĂłn (SabambĂş Fm) 88.8
Timaná (La Fiera) 92.3
Tumaco (Rumba St. Tumaco) 91.1
Granada (La voz de la Conquista)103.3
Barrancabermeja (La Cariñosa) 1320
Buga (Voces del Occidente) 860
Cartago (Radio Robledo) 1580
Aguachica (La Voz de Aguachica) 1330
SipĂ­ (Brisas del San Juan)106.3
Pacho (Radio Dulce)106.3

It also operates affiliate stations in Tame (Tame FM Stereo), Ocana, Mariquita (Ondas del GualĂ­), Puerto Lopez (MarandĂşa Stereo).

Partner radio stations

International partner agencies

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Reseña histórica - radio. ASOMEDIOS. 23 April 2011.
  2. Gil Bolívar. Fabio Alberto. 1992. Barcelona. Influencia política y poder económico en los medios de comunicación: las cadenas radiofónicas colombianas. Revista CIDOB d'Afers Internacionals. 23–24. 225–254. 1133-6595. es. 2011-04-23.
  3. Web site: Noticieros de la Cadena Básica y La FM, de RCN Radio, se fusionarán. Portafolio. es. 7 Oct 2024.