99.5 RT was considered as one of the first FM radio stations to set the trend in using the Contemporary Hit Radio format first popularized in the United States, commonly known to as "Pop" or "Top 40". RT first began broadcasting in 1976 under the helm of Emilio Tuason, who also became one of the deejays (his call name was ET), until a drug problem forced his retirement from the station in the 1980s.