WFNQ

Last updated

WFNQ
Broadcast area Manchester, New Hampshire
Frequency 106.3 MHz (HD Radio)
Branding106.3 Frank FM
Programming
Format Classic hits
Subchannels HD2: VSiN (Sports gambling)
Affiliations New England Patriots Radio Network
Ownership
Owner
  • Binnie Media
  • (WBIN Media Co., Inc.)
WEMJ, WJYY, WLNH-FM, WNNH, WNHW, WTPL
History
First air date
October 19, 1987;37 years ago (1987-10-19)
Former call signs
WHOB (1987–2005)
Call sign meaning
"Frank"
Technical information [1]
Licensing authority
 FCC
Facility ID 23329
Class A
ERP 6,000 watts
HAAT 81 meters (266 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
 42°49′36.3″N71°30′8.2″W / 42.826750°N 71.502278°W / 42.826750; -71.502278 (WFNQ)
Links
Public license information
Webcast
Website frankfmradio.com

WFNQ (106.3 FM; "Frank FM") is a radio station in Nashua, New Hampshire, serving the Manchester area with a classic hits radio format. It is owned by Binnie Media. The station's studios are on Church Street in Concord, and its transmitter is located in Merrimack, just west of the Merrimack Premium Outlets.

Contents

WFNQ can also be received in the northern portion of the Boston media market. The station has FM co-channel interference with Providence-market WWKX past this area.

WFNQ is the flagship station of a three-station network under the Frank FM branding. WLNH-FM (98.3) in Laconia (serving the Lakes Region) and WBYY (98.7) in Somersworth (serving the Seacoast Region) share WFNQ's playlist and branding, but have separate commercials. Additionally, WNNH (99.1) in Henniker previously served as a full simulcast of WFNQ for areas north and west of Manchester; it is now an active rock station.

History

The 106.3 allocation in Nashua was originally assigned to WOTW-FM, which went on the air in March 1948, [2] lost its license in 1977, [3] and continued operating under an interim operator from 1978 to June 30, 1985. [4] [5] After the revocation of the licenses for WOTW-FM and WOTW (900 AM) and a nine-year licensing process, [6] Gateway Broadcasting Associates was granted authority to build a new FM station in 1986; [3] the AM frequency was separately awarded to Merrimack Valley Broadcasting, [3] [6] who would put WMVU on the air in 1992. [7] Gateway, controlled by Mario DiCarlo, selected the call sign WHOB in reference to the station's honey bee logo, which was intended to symbolize that it would be "an industrious station". [8] Following several delays, WHOB signed on at 6 a.m. on October 19, 1987. [9] [10] In its early years, WHOB primarily focused on the Nashua area, [10] though its signal, originating from a tower in Hudson, [8] reached from Concord to Route 128 in Burlington, Massachusetts. [10]

WFNQ logo.png
WFNQ Frank 106.3.png
WFNQ 106.3 Frank FM logo.png
Pre-2021 versions of the "Frank FM" logo; each version reflects the different formats used under this brand.

At one time a CHR station, the station began mixing in modern rock in 1996, [11] and had shifted to hot adult contemporary by 1999, when DiCarlo retired and sold WHOB to Tele-Media. [12] Tele-Media sold WHOB, along with WNNH in Henniker and WLKZ in Wolfeboro, to Nassau Broadcasting Partners in 2004. [13] Nassau dropped the hot AC format in favor of the "Frank FM" classic hits format (the second Nassau station, after WFNK in Lewiston, Maine, to do so) and the WFNQ callsign on March 17, 2005. [14]

The station, along with 16 other Nassau stations in northern New England, was purchased at bankruptcy auction by WBIN Media Company, a company controlled by Bill Binnie, on May 22, 2012. Binnie already owned WBIN-TV in Derry and WYCN-LP in Nashua. [15] [16] The deal was completed on November 30, 2012. [17]

On June 1, 2015, WFNQ shifted its format to classic rock. It switched back to classic hits in 2018.

WFNQ's logo from when it was simulcast over WNNH WFNQ 106.3 WNNH 99.1 Frank FM logo.png
WFNQ's logo from when it was simulcast over WNNH

On April 1, 2019, WNNH in Henniker began simulcasting WFNQ, bringing the station's programming to areas north and west of Manchester, including Concord. [18] On May 24, 2019, WLNH-FM in Laconia and WBYY in Somersworth began carrying WFNQ's programming, but with separate advertising, forming a regional network. [19] The "Frank FM" network transitioned to a hot adult contemporary format during 2021; [20] during this transition, on September 3, 2021, WNNH left the network and launched its own active rock format. [21]

Pink version of the "Frank FM" logo, used under the hot AC format WFNQ 106.3 Frank FM logo 2022.png
Pink version of the "Frank FM" logo, used under the hot AC format

After morning host Marc Nazzaro (who used the air name "DJ Nazzy") was laid off from "Frank FM" in January 2023 as part of a refocus of Binnie Media's resources on its news and talk programming, vice president of programming Heath Cole told the Concord Monitor that "the music format that we do will change". [22] On February 1, 2023, WFNQ, along with the rest of the "Frank FM" network, again returned to a classic hits format; the stations also dropped their remaining on-air staff, who were reassigned to other positions within the company. [23]

HD Radio

On May 24, 2023, the format of WFNQ's second HD Radio channel was changed from a simulcast of active rock-formatted WNNH to VSiN's sports gambling network. [24]

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">WJYY</span> Radio station in New Hampshire, United States

WJYY is a radio station broadcasting a rhythmic hot adult contemporary format. Licensed to Concord, New Hampshire, United States, the station serves the Concord and Manchester areas. The station is owned by Binnie Media and licensed to WBIN Media Co., Inc.

Frank FM is the branding used by Binnie Media for its radio stations airing a classic hits radio format. The Frank FM format was similar to the Jack FM format in that these stations play around 1000 songs in regular rotation at any time as opposed to the average number of 300 to 600 songs heard regularly on most commercial radio stations. In 2023, the station’s programming was changed to a way broader format, which plays songs from every genre and decade. The new playlist includes Rap, hip-hop, R&B, country, and also songs from its older format. During that change, the station changed its slogan to “We Play It All.” Some Frank FM playlists resemble to classic hits stations rather than that of variety hits stations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WHXR</span> Radio station in Maine, United States

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Nassau Broadcasting Partners LP was a company based in Princeton, New Jersey that owned radio stations in New England and the Mid-Atlantic United States. Nassau's stations, which included both AM and FM frequencies, were located in Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The company was owned and headed by Louis F. Mercatanti. Nassau was predominantly an operator of radio stations in medium and small markets. Nassau formerly owned radio station WCRB in Waltham, a Boston suburb, and located in the Boston market, the 11th largest radio market in the US, according to BIA Financial Network. However that station was sold to WGBH in 2009. Nassau operated radio stations in substantially all of the major formats. The company's most common format was classic rock/classic hits. On October 13, 2011 Nassau Broadcasting entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after their senior lenders petitioned for an involuntary Chapter 7 liquidation in September. The stations were auctioned to various bidders in May 2012 subject to bankruptcy judge and FCC approval. Nassau's last station, WPLY in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania, lost its license in 2014 after having shut down in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WLNH-FM</span> Radio station in New Hampshire, United States

WLNH-FM — branded as Frank FM — is a radio station located in Laconia, New Hampshire, United States. The station broadcasts to the Lakes Region and Concord, New Hampshire. The format is classic hits music, and on air it is identified as "The Soundtrack of the Lakes Region". WLNH-FM is owned by Binnie Media.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WTHT</span> Country music radio station in Auburn, Maine

WTHT is a radio station broadcasting a country music format. Licensed to Auburn, Maine, the station serves Greater Portland. It is owned by Binnie Media, with studios on Thomas Drive in Westbrook. Programming was simulcast on WBQQ in Kennebunk from 2012 until 2024, when WBQQ launched a York County–oriented soft oldies format.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WNNH</span> Radio station in New Hampshire, United States

WNNH is a commercial radio station owned by Binnie Media. WNNH is licensed to Henniker, New Hampshire, and serves the Concord-Manchester area. Its transmitter is on Watchtower Road in Contoocook and its studios and offices are on Church Street in Concord.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WWLK-FM</span> Radio station in New Hampshire, United States

WWLK-FM is a commercial radio station licensed to Meredith, New Hampshire, and serving the Lakes Region. The station broadcasts a soft adult contemporary radio format and is owned by Dirk Nadon, through licensee Lakes Media, LLC. The studios and offices are on Church Street in Concord, New Hampshire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WLKZ</span> Radio station in New Hampshire, United States

WLKZ is an American licensed radio station in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, serving the Lakes Region. The station is owned by Dirk Nadon, through licensee Lakes Media, LLC, and carries a classic rock format, under the "104.9 The Hawk" branding.

WLVP is a radio station broadcasting an adult standards and oldies format. Licensed to Gorham, Maine, United States, it serves southern Maine, including Portland. Established in 1980 as WDCI, the station is owned by Robert Bittner through licensee Blue Jey Broadcasting Co..

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WNHW</span> Country music radio station in Belmont, New Hampshire

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">WFNK</span> Classic hits radio station in Lewiston, Maine

WFNK – branded 107.5 Frank FM – is a commercial classic hits radio station licensed to serve Lewiston, Maine. Owned by Binnie Media, the station services the Portland metropolitan area. WFNK has an effective radiated power (ERP) of 100,000 watts, broadcasting from a transmitter in Poland, Maine, making it among the highest-powered FM stations in New England. Some WFNK programming is also heard on sister station WBQX in Thomaston, Maine, which also calls itself Frank FM.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WBYA</span> Radio station in Islesboro, Maine

WBYA is a radio station licensed to Islesboro, Maine, United States. The station serves the Mid Coast area with a country music format. The station is owned by Binnie Media, and broadcasts from a transmitter on U.S. 1 south of Northport. The station's competitor is WMCM in Rockland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WBYY</span> Radio station in New Hampshire, United States

WBYY is a radio station broadcasting a classic hits format. Licensed to Somersworth, New Hampshire, United States, with studios in Dover, the station serves the Seacoast Region of New Hampshire and Southern Maine. The station is owned by Binnie Media.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WHDQ</span> Radio station in New Hampshire, United States

WHDQ is a radio station broadcasting a classic rock format. Licensed to Claremont, New Hampshire, United States, the station serves the Lebanon-Rutland-White River Junction area. The station is owned by Jeffrey Shapiro's Great Eastern Radio. The station's transmitter is located atop Mount Ascutney in Vermont. WHDQ's signal is also broadcast over a translator—W294AB in Hanover, New Hampshire—and a booster—WHDQ-FM1 in Rutland, Vermont.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WEMJ</span> Radio station in Laconia, New Hampshire

WEMJ is a radio station broadcasting a news/talk format. Licensed to Laconia, New Hampshire, United States, the station is owned by Binnie Media and licensed to WBIN Media Co., Inc. WEMJ features programming from ABC News Radio. WEMJ is known on-air as 107.3 WEMJ. It is part of the "Pulse of NH" trimulcast with 107.7 WTPL in the Manchester area and 98.1 WTSN in the Seacoast Region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WZLF</span> Radio station in Vermont, United States

WZLF is a radio station licensed to serve Bellows Falls, Vermont, transmitting from Alstead, New Hampshire. The station is owned by Binnie Media. It airs a country music format, simulcast with WXLF in Hartford.

WWFY is a radio station licensed to serve Berlin, Vermont. The station is owned by Great Eastern Radio. It airs a country music format.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WRFK (FM)</span> Radio station in Vermont, United States

WRFK is an FM radio station licensed to Barre and serving central Vermont. Established in 1974, the station is owned by Jeffrey Shapiro's Great Eastern Radio. WRFK airs a classic rock format, and is simulcast in the Champlain Valley on WWFK in Plattsburgh West, New York. The transmitter is located off Websterville Road and the studios and offices are on Jacques Street.

References

  1. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for WFNQ". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ↑ "Station WOTW Observes Eighth Birthday Today". Nashua Telegraph . September 13, 1954. p. 10. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 Landrigan, Dan (October 12, 1986). "Two new radio stations to air". The Sunday Telegraph . pp. A1, A10. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  4. ↑ "NHAB Alumni: Bob Cohen". New Hampshire Association of Broadcasters. March 24, 2002. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
  5. ↑ Jones, Cynthia (June 4, 1985). "WOTW to cease operations for good June 30". Nashua Telegraph . Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  6. 1 2 Mertz, Mary (December 30, 1987). "AM station to hit the air soon". The Telegraph . Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  7. ↑ Bernstein, Hattie (March 19, 1992). "News, talk radio station will be music to their ears". The Telegraph . pp. 1, 9. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  8. 1 2 Landrigan, Dan (December 3, 1986). "New FM station closer to startup". The Telegraph . p. 64. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  9. ↑ Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1989 (PDF). 1989. p. B-189. Retrieved April 5, 2010.
  10. 1 2 3 Connors, William W. (October 24, 1987). "'Radio void' filled in Nashua as local FM station hits the air". The Telegraph . p. 40. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  11. ↑ Fybush, Scott (April 17, 1996). "New England Radio Watch" . Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  12. ↑ Fybush, Scott (October 29, 1999). "Citadel Gets Huge, Shuffles Binghamton's AMs". North East RadioWatch. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  13. ↑ Fybush, Scott (January 19, 2004). "Anchor in Florida Lands 'BZ in Headlines". NorthEast Radio Watch. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  14. ↑ Kennedy, Eileen (March 19, 2005). "Frankly, it's not WHOB anymore". The Telegraph . Archived from the original on January 10, 2007. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
  15. ↑ "Carlisle Capital Corp. Wins Bidding For Rest Of Nassau Stations". All Access. May 22, 2012. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
  16. ↑ "WBIN Media acquires 17 N.E. radio stations". New Hampshire Union Leader . May 23, 2012. Retrieved May 24, 2012.
  17. ↑ Kitch, Michael (December 1, 2012). "Binnie closes on purchase of WLNH". Laconia Daily Sun . Retrieved December 1, 2012.
  18. ↑ Frank Expands in New Hampshire, https://radioinsight.com/headlines/175811/frank-expands-in-new-hampshire/
  19. ↑ Venta, Lance (May 24, 2019). "Binnie Media Makes Trio Of Flips In New Hampshire". RadioInsight. Retrieved May 26, 2019.
  20. ↑ "Binnie Makes Musical Shifts In New Hampshire". RadioInsight. January 6, 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  21. ↑ Venta, Lance (September 2, 2021). "99.1 The Bone Debuts In Concord". RadioInsight. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  22. ↑ Duckler, Ray (January 22, 2023). "Even without his longtime role as on-air disc jockey, Nazzy still knows how to throw a party". Concord Monitor . Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  23. ↑ New Hampshire's Frank-FM Returns to Classic Hits Radioinsight - February 1, 2023
  24. ↑ Binnie Media Brings VSiN to New Hampshire Radioinsight - May 24, 2023
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