The station, then called WERI, began broadcasting on 1230 kHz on July 1, 1949, using a daytime and nighttime power of 250 watts, non-directional.

[5] The move came after a local group took control of WRNI and acquired WAKX (later WRNI-FM, now WNPE) in Narragansett Pier to serve as its southern satellite.

Diponti Communications announced its intention to move the local news and variety programming of WBLQ-LP (96.7 FM, Ashaway, Rhode Island) to WXNI's more powerful AM signal.

On December 1, 2001, WBLQ began airing the "Time Machine", Weekends presented By Chris Dipaola, Tommy Stafford, DJ Gadget and the Cali Kid.

On the night of October 13, 2022, WBLQ owner Chris DiPaola died unexpectedly from an apparent heart attack.