RCN Radio

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.

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.

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.

Defunct Radio Stations

RCN Radio Basic Network former frequencies

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

Partner radio stations

• Radio Mitre Argentina
• Radio Programas del Perú Peru
• Radio Panamericana Bolivia
• Univisión Radio United States
• Cadena Radial Ecuatoriana Ecuador
• Radio Cope Spain
• Radio Caracas Radio Venezuela

International partner agencies

• Associated Press
• EFE

References

References

1. "Reseña histórica - radio". ASOMEDIOS.
2. Gil Bolívar, Fabio Alberto. (1992). "Influencia política y poder económico en los medios de comunicación: las cadenas radiofónicas colombianas". Revista CIDOB d'Afers Internacionals.
3. "Noticieros de la Cadena Básica y La FM, de RCN Radio, se fusionarán".
4. "Juan Lozano, new director of La FM de RCN".
5. "RCN's basic network disappears and gives way to La FM on its frequencies".