The station signed on October 15, 1988 as WQRT with the slogan "Great 98 Country." Although it was part of the late 1980s boom in rural and suburban FM stations that boosted country music, WQRT followed an approach similar to older country outlets blending modern and traditional
classic country. Serving the Salamanca, Bradford, and Olean markets, WQRT became the top rated station due to the limited number of country stations. In 1989, 95.7 WPIG in Olean switched from its old adult-contemporary/easy listening format to country, contrasting WQRT's classic style with a more modern "hot-country" focus. This allowed WQRT to maintain its niche for several years. During this era, WQRT was owned by Gary Livingston. In the late 1990s, the station rebranded as
98 Rocks, under the ownership of Michael Washington until 2006, when Washington sold the station to Pembrook Pines Media Group. WQRS primarily broadcast programming from
Dial Global's "
Classic Rock" (and before that,
The Classic Rock Experience from ABC) and also carried the syndicated
Nights with Alice Cooper program. In September 2010, WQRS quietly ended its classic rock format and switched to an all-satellite
country music format, simulcasting
WZKZ in
Alfred. On October 2, 2013, WQRS reverted to its classic rock format and revived the "98 Rocks" brand. The current format is locally originated, automated and features a broader,
album-oriented playlist. In late September 2014, Sound Communication acquired WQRS. In 2021, Seven Mountains Media purchased WQRS and other Sound Communications System. On November 29, 2021, WQRS rebranded as "The G.O.A.T." and added a simulcast on sister station
WOEN 1360 AM. Its airstaff consists of syndicated programming and jockeys from other Seven Mountains stations in Olean. The WQRS call sign was previously heard on a
classical music FM station in
Detroit,
Michigan. ==References==