WHQC

Last updated

WHQC
Hits 96.1 C.png
Broadcast area Charlotte/Metrolina
Frequency 96.1 MHz (HD Radio)
BrandingHits 96.1
Programming
Language(s) English
Format Gold-leaning Top 40 (CHR)
Subchannels
Affiliations Premiere Networks
Ownership
Owner
WEND, WKKT, WLKO, WRFX, W254AZ
History
First air date
 1948 (as WOHS-FM) [1]
Former call signs
  • WOHS-FM (1948–1978)
  • WXIK (1978–1987) [1]
  • WWMG (1987–2004)
  • WIBT (2004–2011) [2]
Call sign meaning
"Hits Queen City" [3]
Technical information [4]
Licensing authority
 FCC
Facility ID 74194
Class C
ERP 100,000 watts
HAAT 533 meters (1,749 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
 35°21′44.5″N81°9′18.3″W / 35.362361°N 81.155083°W / 35.362361; -81.155083
Translator(s)
  • HD2: 100.3 W262BM (Charlotte)
  • HD3: 96.5 W243BY (Charlotte)
  • HD3: 98.3 W252BU (Dallas)
  • HD2: 98.3 W252DI (Concord)
Links
Public license information
Webcast Listen live (via iHeartRadio)
Website hits961.iheart.com

WHQC (96.1 FM, Hits 96.1) is an American radio station in Charlotte, North Carolina. Licensed to serve the city of Shelby, North Carolina, it is owned by iHeartMedia. WHQC broadcasts a gold-based Top 40 (CHR) format branded as "Hits 96.1". Its transmitter is located in Dallas, North Carolina, and its studios are located along with the rest of iHeartMedia's Charlotte stations in the Wood Ridge Center office complex off Billy Graham Parkway in south Charlotte. WHQC's primary competitor is WNKS, owned by Beasley Broadcast Group.

Contents

WHQC is licensed to broadcast in the HD Radio format. [5] The HD1 channel is a simulcast of the analog programming, while the HD2 channel is known as "Air1" which programs contemporary worship music on W262BM 100.3 FM [6] and the HD3 channel airs a contemporary Christian format called "HIS Radio".

History

The station was established in 1948 as WOHS-FM, which complemented its AM sister station WOHS out of Shelby, North Carolina. In 1978, the station increased its signal power to cover the far western portion of Charlotte and expanded its coverage as WXIK, [1] adopting a Top 40 format as "K-96" that was heavy on "deep cut" rock hits. Air staff at WXIK included longtime PD/MD Jeffrey Owens, longtime Shelby personality Andy Foster, Vince Goolio, J. Worthington Smith, Eddie Bridges, Dawne Conrad, Don Richards, Rusty Price, Kent Dorsey, Scott Miller, Jeff Champion, and Bob Davis. On February 27, 1987, at 5:30 a.m., the station boosted its signal again to a full 100,000 watts, allowing it to cover the entire Charlotte area. At the same time, the station adopted a gold-based adult contemporary format under new call letters, WWMG (Magic 96). [7] By early 1989, the station flipped to oldies.

As WWMG, the station was Charlotte's radio home of the North Carolina Tar Heels from 1991 to 1995.

Even though the oldies format remained successful for nearly two decades, its later years deemed less successful. At Midnight on September 1, 2004, after playing "American Pie" by Don McLean, WWMG began stunting. At 3 p.m. the following day, WWMG flipped to Rhythmic Top 40, branded as 96.1 The Beat. The WIBT calls were chosen shortly afterwards, even though it created confusion between it and Charlotte station WBT, which also has a spot on the FM dial as well.

Logo as "Channel 96-1" WHQC logo 2014.png
Logo as "Channel 96-1"

Despite the controversy that ensued, WIBT became a success story when it went to #1 in the Fall 2004 Arbitron ratings. As a Rhythmic Top 40 formatted station, WIBT was in competition with long-time Urban heritage station WPEG and Pop station WNKS. Although its music tended to favor hip hop, WIBT played pop and dance crossovers that were hits. In early September 2010, WIBT segued into a mainstream CHR format, going head-to-head with WNKS with the positioner "All The Hits". On December 10, 2010, after the station saw its ratings slip from 5.8 in Arbitron's September PPM to a 4.1 in November's PPM ratings report, WIBT rebranded as Channel 96-1, retaining the "All The Hits" positioner. On August 31, 2011, WIBT changed their call letters to WHQC. [8]

Christopher "Brotha Fred" Frederick's last night co-hosting Fox News Edge on WCCB was December 16, 2010. The next day, WIBT announced that Frederick, the station's morning co-host since June 2006, would begin originating the show from Chicago on January 3, 2011. Joining Frederick would be David L, who was already part of the WIBT show, and Angi Taylor of Chicago. Frederick's "AM Mayhem" would also be heard on Chicago's WKSC-FM as well as WMKS in High Point and WKXJ in Chattanooga. [9] [10] [11]

On December 16, 2011, it was announced that longtime Charlotte morning radio hosts Ace & TJ would be replacing Fred, beginning January 5, 2012. [12] Ace & TJ left the station in July 2021, and moved back to their former station WNKS in July 2022 in a mid-morning timeslot. [13]

Brooke Morrison joined the Channel 96-1 team for afternoons on March 26, 2018, after being the producer for Nina Chantele on KRRL in Los Angeles. [14]

On January 4, 2019, WHQC rebranded as Hits 96.1. [15]

On-air personalities Miguel & Holly joined WHQC as the new morning show in March 2022. [16] [17]

Translators

Broadcast translators for WHQC-HD2
Call sign Frequency City of license FID ERP (W) Class Transmitter coordinatesFCC info
W262BM100.3 FM Charlotte, North Carolina 29264250D 35°11′56.3″N80°52′35.7″W / 35.198972°N 80.876583°W / 35.198972; -80.876583 (W262BM) LMS
W252DI98.3 FM Concord, North Carolina 142031250D 35°24′3.7″N80°37′3.1″W / 35.401028°N 80.617528°W / 35.401028; -80.617528 (W252DI) LMS
Broadcast translators for WHQC-HD3
Call sign Frequency City of license FID ERP (W) HAAT Class Transmitter coordinatesFCC info
W243BY96.5 FM Charlotte, North Carolina 148112250164.6  m (540  ft)D 35°11′56.5″N80°52′35.3″W / 35.199028°N 80.876472°W / 35.199028; -80.876472 (W243BY) LMS
W252BU98.3 FM Dallas, North Carolina 148024250194.1 m (637 ft)D 35°17′50.5″N81°6′55.3″W / 35.297361°N 81.115361°W / 35.297361; -81.115361 (W252BU) LMS

Related Research Articles

WBT is a commercial AM radio station serving the Charlotte metropolitan area, including parts of North Carolina and South Carolina. The station airs a talk radio format simulcast on Chester, South Carolina-licensed WBT-FM (99.3) and the HD2 digital subchannel of co-owned WLNK. First licensed on March 18, 1922, it is one of America's first radio stations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WLKO</span> Radio station in Hickory, North Carolina

WLKO is a commercial radio station licensed to Hickory, North Carolina, and serving the Charlotte metropolitan area. It airs an adult hits radio format that leans toward classic hits. For much of November and December, it switches to Christmas music. It is owned by iHeartMedia, with studios on Woodridge Center Drive, just off the Billy Graham Parkway, near Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WKQC</span> Adult contemporary radio station in Charlotte, North Carolina

WKQC is a commercial radio station in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is owned by the Beasley Broadcast Group and airs a gold-based, 1980s-centric adult contemporary radio format. For most of November and December, it switches to all-Christmas music. WKQC's studios are located on South Boulevard in Charlotte.

WRCM is a listener-supported, non-commercial radio station licensed to Wingate, North Carolina and serving the Charlotte metropolitan area. It airs a Contemporary Christian radio format and identifies itself as "K-LOVE". It is owned by the Educational Media Foundation, based in Rocklin, California, a non-profit ministry. Some listeners can also hear K-LOVE on 94.1 WWLV in Lexington, North Carolina or on 88.3 WLXK in Boiling Springs, North Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WSOC-FM</span> Country music radio station in Charlotte, North Carolina

WSOC-FM is a commercial radio station in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is owned by Beasley Broadcast Group and airs a country music radio format, calling itself "Country 103.7". Its primary country competitor is iHeartMedia's WKKT. WSOC-FM's studios are located on South Boulevard in Charlotte's South End and the transmitter is located in East Charlotte near Reedy Creek Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WNKS</span> Contemporary hit radio station in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

WNKS is a commercial radio station licensed to serve Charlotte, North Carolina. The station is owned by Beasley Broadcast Group through licensee Beasley Media Group, LLC and broadcasts a contemporary hit radio format. Studios are located on South Boulevard in Charlotte's South End and the station's broadcast tower is located near Dallas, North Carolina, at.

WVBZ is a mainstream rock radio station serving the Piedmont Triad region. The station is a part of iHeartMedia, Inc.'s cluster in the Greensboro/Winston-Salem market and is licensed to Clemmons, North Carolina. It has studio facilities and offices located on Pai Park in Greensboro, and a transmitter site is located atop Sauratown Mountain near Pinnacle, North Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WEND</span> Radio station in Salisbury, North Carolina

WEND – branded 106.5 The End – is a commercial alternative rock radio station licensed to Salisbury, North Carolina, serving primarily the Charlotte metropolitan area, as well as parts of the Piedmont Triad. Owned by iHeartMedia, WEND is the local affiliate for Skratch 'N Sniff and the home of radio personalities, the Woody & Wilcox Show, Chris Rozak, and Divakar. The WEND studios are located in Charlotte, while the station transmitter resides in China Grove. Besides a standard analog transmission, WEND broadcasts in HD Radio, and is available online via iHeartRadio.

WFNZ, known on air as "102.5 The Block", is a commercial AM radio station in Charlotte, North Carolina. Owned by Urban One, the station airs an urban contemporary radio format. Its studios and offices are at 1 Julian Price Place.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WFNZ-FM</span> Radio station in Harrisburg–Charlotte, North Carolina, United States

WFNZ-FM is a sports radio station in Charlotte, North Carolina, owned and operated by Radio One. The station's studios are located at 1 Julian Price Place just off Morehead Street in Charlotte, and its transmitter site is in Charlotte's Newell South neighborhood.

<i>The Ace & TJ Show</i> Syndicated morning radio show

The Ace & TJ Show is a syndicated morning radio show originating out of Charlotte, North Carolina. It is mainly featured in the Southern United States, and mainly targets Southerners. As of January 5, 2012, The Ace & TJ Show began broadcasting as the morning show on WHQC. Ace & TJ were previously on Charlotte's WNKS, where the show debuted on April 6, 1998. After some unsuccessful contract discussions with CBS Radio, their last day on Kiss 95.1 was Friday, May 20, 2011. Their non-compete agreement was valid until December 1, 2011, at which point they started to look for a new home station in Charlotte.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WOLS</span> Radio station in Waxhaw–Charlotte, North Carolina

WOLS is a Spanish-language FM radio station broadcasting at a frequency of 106.1 MHz serving the Charlotte, North Carolina market. Its programming consists of music and other material distributed by "La Raza," the Regional Mexican radio network.

WEGO was an AM radio station licensed to serve Concord, North Carolina.

WWLV is a radio station licensed to Lexington, North Carolina, and serving the Piedmont Triad metropolitan area. The station is an affiliate of K-LOVE.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WOSF</span> Radio station in Gaffney, South Carolina

WOSF is an urban adult contemporary station licensed to Gaffney, South Carolina; serving the Charlotte, North Carolina market. WOSF is the Charlotte affiliate of the Rickey Smiley Morning Show. Owned by Urban One, the station's studios are located in South Charlotte near Carowinds, and the transmitter site is located in Dallas, North Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WHRP</span> Radio station in Gurley, Alabama

WHRP is a radio station licensed to serve Gurley, Alabama, United States. The station is owned by Cumulus Media and the license is held by Cumulus Licensing LLC. WHRP broadcasts an urban adult contemporary music format to the Huntsville, Alabama, market. Its transmitter is located southeast of downtown Huntsville, but its main studios are in Athens, Alabama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WZGV</span> Radio station in Cramerton, North Carolina

WZGV is a commercial radio station, licensed to Cramerton, North Carolina and serving the Charlotte metropolitan area. It carries a sports radio format and is owned by Marty Hurney's 2G Media, Inc. Most programming comes from the ESPN Radio Network, with a local afternoon show called "The Afternoon Rush." The radio studios are on Morehead Street just outside downtown Charlotte.

WDYT is a radio station licensed to Kings Mountain, North Carolina, serving the Charlotte metropolitan area. The station is currently owned by Iglesia Nueva Vida of High Point and operated by Core Communications. It simulcasts the mainstream urban radio format of WGIV.

WOHS is a commercial radio station in Shelby, North Carolina. It is owned by KTC Broadcasting and broadcasts an oldies radio format, featuring beach music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jack Daniel (DJ)</span> American radio DJ

Jack Daniel is a DJ and radio professional who has worked in Charlotte, North Carolina radio since the mid-1970s.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "The Facilities of Radio". 1979 Broadcasting Yearbook. Washington, DC: Broadcasting Publications, Inc. 1979. p. C-163.
  2. ↑ "Call Sign History". CDBS Public Access Database. U.S. Federal Communications Commission Media Bureau. Retrieved December 26, 2011.
  3. ↑ Washburn, Mark (September 17, 2011). "Surging WDAV-FM gets new leadership". The Charlotte Observer . Retrieved September 17, 2011.[ permanent dead link ]
  4. ↑ "Facility Technical Data for WHQC". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  5. ↑ "Station Search Details". licensing.fcc.gov.
  6. ↑ "HD Radio | Stations | More Music. More Stations. More Features. Digital Sound. No Subscription". Archived from the original on May 23, 2012. Retrieved October 8, 2014.
  7. ↑ "RR-1987-03-13" (PDF). americanradiohistory.com. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  8. ↑ 96.1 the Beat is Now Channel 96.1
  9. ↑ Washburn, Mark (December 17, 2010). "Brotha Fred hitting the road for Chicago". The Charlotte Observer . Retrieved February 3, 2011.
  10. ↑ "103.7 KISS FM - Chattanooga's Hit Music Now". Archived from the original on July 13, 2011. Retrieved February 3, 2011.
  11. ↑ "105.7 Now - The Triad's Home for Hit Music Now". Archived from the original on January 16, 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2011.
  12. ↑ Washburn, Mark (December 16, 2011). "Ace & T.J. making a comeback". The Charlotte Observer . Retrieved December 26, 2011.[ permanent dead link ]
  13. ↑ "Ace and TJ Are Returning to Kiss 95.1". July 13, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Brooke Morrison To Handle Afternoons On WHQC (Channel 96-1)/Charlotte". All Access. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  15. ↑ "Channel 96.1 Charlotte Revamps as Hits 96". Radioinsight. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  16. ↑ "Miguel & Holly In Charlotte". Radio Ink. February 17, 2022. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  17. ↑ Limehouse, Jonathan (March 15, 2022). "Meet the new Charlotte hosts taking over mornings, building radio family at Hits 96.1". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.