In the early days, both WVOT AM and FM largely simulcast a MOR, full service format until the duo was acquired by Century Communications in 1976.

The station returned to the air on Labor Day weekend of 1984, playing the Rolling Stones' "Start Me Up" as its first song.

[4] WRDU's early format was AOR with some hot AC artists such as Cyndi Lauper, Lionel Richie, and the Pointer Sisters added to the mix, probably to soften the sound a bit in anticipation of a duel with crosstown powerhouse WRAL.

But by the late 1980s, WRDU's hot AC tunes were officially all gone and the station, bolstered by high listenership for its "Reynolds & Silva" morning show, dominated the Triangle ratings.

Other airstaff members who worked at the station during the late 1980s and the early 1990s were Donna Reed (Nights); Eric Curry (News), Ron Phillips (Rock & Roll Classics), Tom Gongaware, Lizz Wall, and Paul Jackson.

[6] SFX was in turn acquired by Capstar Broadcasting,[7] which was itself taken over by Chancellor Media Corporation, renamed AMFM Inc.[8][9] When the dust settled in 1999, WRDU was owned by iHeartMedia (then known as Clear Channel Communications).

On October 6, 2006, at 4 p.m., after playing "Free Bird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd, WRDU began stunting with a clip of "Rooster" by Alice in Chains and redirecting listeners to WRVA-FM.

This arrangement came into question following comments made by Rush Limbaugh regarding Sandra Fluke, a law student from Georgetown University.

As a compromise, the station was asked not to promote the university or the Tar Heel Sports Network during broadcasts of The Rush Limbaugh Show.

[18] This arrangement continued until 2021, when the Rush Limbaugh Show ended its run following the host's death and Tar Heel radio package moved to WPTF.