WRNL features a sports radio format and is owned and operated by Audacy, Inc.[4] The studios, offices and transmitter are all co-located just north of the Richmond city line on Basie Road in Dumbarton, Virginia.

Weekday mornings begin with "The Sports Junkies," syndicated from co-owned WJFK-FM in Washington, D.C.[8] Adam Epstein does a local midday show, WJFK's "Grant and Danny" air in afternoon drive, and the BetQL Audio Network and Infinity Sports Network is heard during the rest of the schedule.

[2] As WPHR, a daytimer required to sign off at sunset, the station joined the Virginia Broadcasting Network, a five-station group headed by WCHV Charlottesville, on February 1, 1936.

Although a planned 16-hour day of common programming failed in three months due to high costs, the network remained to carry Virginia Cavaliers football.

As part of the merger, WRTD voluntarily surrendered its license to the Federal Communications Commission effective midnight August 31, 1940.

As network programming moved from radio to television around 1960, WRNL became a full service middle of the road station, featuring pop music, news, talk and sports.

[15] The editor of The Richmond News Leader, he extended his journalistic activities to broadcasting with twice-daily newscasts at 8 a.m. and noon.

[28] Described as "the area's top quartet," the group "would have Sunday breakfast with Richmond for nearly two decades, sponsored by People's Furniture.

"[31] Schreiner also served as program director[32] and covered farm news, winning a Virginia Associated Press Broadcasters' award for his work in 1959.

[33] "A large portion of Richmond’s baby-boom generation grew up with Mr. Soden’s distinctive descriptions of baseball, basketball and football games percolating in the background on radio station WRNL.

"[34] Soden was general manager and executive vice president at WRNL, but he was best known for bringing sports events into the homes of people in central Virginia.

[34] Organist Eddie Weaver, who played at the famous Byrd Theater in Richmond, was also heard in many homes via WRNL.