In May 1940, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) authorized an FM band effective January 1, 1941, operating on 40 channels spanning 42–50MHz.[7] The FCC granted the WFIL Broadcasting Company a construction permit for a new FM station at 45.3MHz on February 4, 1941,[8] which was assigned the call sign W53PH.[9] W53PH made its debut broadcast on November 11, 1941,[1] and was formally licensed by the FCC on September 9, 1942.[8]
At the time of its start, it was announced that the station's daily 2 P.M. to 8 P.M. schedule would rarely simulcast its AMsister station 560 WFIL, and "approximately 82 percent of the station's time on the air is being devoted to fine music".[10]
Effective November 1, 1943, the FCC modified its policy for FM call signs,[11] and the station call letters were changed to WFIL-FM. After the FCC created the current FM band on June 27, 1945,[12] the FCC granted temporary authority for operation on 99.9MHz beginning on December 29, 1945.[8]
The station's license was assigned to Triangle Publications, effective March 1, 1946. At the time, WFIL (560 AM) was owned by Triangle Publications, which published The Philadelphia Inquirer daily newspapers and TV Guide magazine. WFIL-FM mostly simulcast the AM station in its early years.
The FCC issued a new construction permit on June 10, 1946, for permanent operation on 99.9MHz. However, on June 27, 1947, the FCC reallocated the station to 102.1MHz and authorized temporary operation on the new frequency. On February 5, 1948, the FCC granted Triangle Publications permission for the station to cease broadcasting on 45.3MHz. A new construction permit was issued by the FCC for permanent operation on 102.1MHz on September 29, 1948, followed by a new license on January 4, 1950.[8] By the 1960s, WFIL-FM had been airing separate classical music shows, breaking away from the AM simulcast.
1968–1971: soft AC
On July 10, 1968, WFIL-FM switched away from classical music to an early version of a soft adult contemporary format. Known as "Popular 102", the station featured softer pop music of the day with a mix of currents, oldies and instrumentals. Each hour included a track from a featured album of the week, and voices on the station were pre-recorded announcements and news from the staff at sister station WFIL, including Jay Cook, J.J. Jeffrey, Tommy Tyler and news from Allen Stone and Glenn Barton.
WFIL-FM's early logo
The station promoted itself as playing "The Nicest Music for the Nicest People." This format continued through May 1971, when Triangle Publications decided to sell its Philadelphia broadcasting stations.[13]
1971–1975: easy listening
In 1971, Triangle Publications sold WFIL-AM-FM-TV to Capital Cities Broadcasting (later Capital Cities Communications). In turn, WFIL-AM was sold to LIN Broadcasting and WFIL-FM was spun off to Richer Communications in May 1971. The FM call letters were changed to WIOQ representing the script version of the frequency "102". The familiar jingle of Popular 102 was also changed to "W102". Initially, the familiar PAMS jingles were updated to reflect the new call letters and the station continued as before. By 1972, the station's imaging changed to Stereo Island, which trended even softer than the station had been, but added live DJs while the music rotated on an IGM automation unit.
W-102 Stereo Island Logo
Air staff at this time included Jeff Dean, Lee Meredith, Art Andrews, Alan Drew (Frio), Jere Sullivan, and Jay Mathieu, with Dave Klahr continuing as program director. After a year or so in this format, the station brought back the Popular 102 moniker and started playing a slightly more uptempo mix of pop tunes. When Dave Klahr left, Roy Laurence was hired as program director and the station's mix became Top 40-based with a more adult presentation than former sister station 560 WFIL.
1975–1977: progressive rock
Gradually the music became more rock-oriented, and by about 1975 WIOQ had a progressive rock format. Around this time the station began using an extract from the album Intergalactic Trot by Stardrive as the music bed for hourly station IDs. It would remain WIOQ's audio signature for over a decade.
Early Q102 logo with the "Musicradio" slogan
The station also started using the moniker "Q102" during that time. For a time in the mid-'70s, the station affiliated with ABC's "American FM Radio Network" in order to air some programs hosted by then-hip Geraldo Rivera. That contract also required the station to air the network's ABC news at :15 past the hour, as its competition was playing music. The station had trouble competing with established FM rock leader 93.3 WMMR and aggressive AOR upstart 94.1 WYSP. Programming duties were split between Alex DeMers and Bill Fantini, with DJs Jim Harlan, John Harvey, and Bill Paul rounding out the full-time air staff. After a few years, the owner (by then listed as Que Broadcasting, Inc.) declared bankruptcy. WIOQ emerged from the bankruptcy under the ownership of The Outlet Company, a retail and broadcasting firm based in Providence, Rhode Island.
1977–1987: adult rock
Under Outlet, WIOQ evolved into an eclectic music format described as "adult rock". The station played a blend of softer songs heard on rock music stations, some deeper album cuts, a few top 40 crossover hits, and a bit of uptempo jazz. Leading air personalities on WIOQ in this era included John Harvey ("Harvey in the Morning"), Helen Leicht who hosted a show called "Breakfast With The Beatles" on Sunday mornings, David Dye, Ed Sciaky and Michael Tozzi. (Leicht and Dye later joined the adult alternative public station WXPN. The former hosted "Leicht Lunch" program at noon, and Dye became the producer and host of the nationally distributed World Cafe.)
After years of low to moderate ratings, on November 10, 1987, at 6 a.m., the adult rock format was dropped in favor of an oldies format as "Solid Gold 102". WIOQ's playlist focused on the hits of 1955–1973.[14]
While WIOQ was changing its format, CBS-owned WCAU-FM switched from a top 40 format to also play oldies as WOGL. Within a matter of days, Philadelphia went from having no oldies FM station to having two. CBS had been putting the oldies format on a number of its FM stations around the U.S., based on the success of WCBS-FM in New York City. WIOQ had trouble competing for the same oldies audience as WOGL.
1988–present: top 40
In 1988, WIOQ was sold to EZ Communications. On January 18, 1989, at 7:18a.m., the station dropped oldies and switched to a rhythmic contemporary format, branded as "Q102".[15]
The station leaned toward dance and urban material, but played some of rock and pop crossover songs, changing according to chart trends and competitive conditions. In 1994, urban rival WUSL was bought by EZ, forming a sales and demographic combo where WUSL targeted African-American listeners, while WIOQ targeted more of a Caucasian and Latino audience. In 1996, EZ merged with American Radio Systems. To satisfy ownership limits (as well as taking advantage of a larger advertising market), WIOQ and WUSL were traded to Evergreen Media (owner of WJJZ), with EZ receiving Evergreen's Charlotte stations in return. In February 1997, Evergreen and Chancellor Media merged. After the Chancellor acquisition, WIOQ became co-owned with WYXR (now WRFF), WDAS, WDAS-FM, WUSL, and WJJZ (now WUMR). On November 20, 1998, the station evolved to Mainstream CHR.
As a result of a large merger in 2000, WIOQ and the other stations in its cluster became properties of Clear Channel Communications. Clear Channel later changed its name to iHeartMedia.
On March 8, 2022, at midnight, WIOQ began a temporary simulcast on sister station WISX as a stunt for the latter frequency.[16] The simulcast lasted until March 10, when WISX shifted its stunting to all-Bad Bunny songs leading into a format change to Spanish CHR the following day.[16]
Related Research Articles
WFIL is a radio station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, with a Christian radio format consisting of teaching and talk programs. Owned by Salem Media Group, studios and transmitter facilities are shared with co-owned WNTP in Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania.
WSAN is a commercial radio station licensed in Allentown, Pennsylvania. It is owned by iHeartMedia and serves the Lehigh Valley radio market. It broadcasts an oldies radio format, with its studios and offices in the iHeart Broadcasting Center in Whitehall Township. It is the oldest station in the Lehigh Valley.
WOGL is a commercial radio station licensed to serve Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The station is owned by Audacy, Inc. and broadcasts a classic hits radio format. The broadcast tower used by the station is located in the Roxborough section of Philadelphia, at. The station's studios and offices are co-located within Audacy's corporate headquarters in Center City, Philadelphia. The station features mostly hits from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s with some 2000s hits.
WRNB is a commercial radio station licensed to Media, Pennsylvania in the Philadelphia/Delaware Valley radio market. It is owned by Radio One and airs an urban adult contemporary radio format. In afternoon drive time, WRNB carries the syndicated D. L. Hughley Show. WRNB's studios and offices are in the Two Bala Plaza building on City Line Avenue in Bala Cynwyd.
WUSL is a commercial radio station licensed to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It carries a mainstream urban radio format and is owned by iHeartMedia The studios and offices are on Presidential Boulevard in Bala Cynwyd.
WPHI-FM is a commercial radio station licensed to Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, and serving the Philadelphia metropolitan area. The station is owned by Audacy, Inc., simulcasting an all-news radio format with co-owned KYW 1060 AM. The radio studios are in Audacy's corporate headquarters in Center City, Philadelphia.
WMGK is a commercial FM radio station licensed to serve Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The station is owned by Beasley Broadcast Group and broadcasts a classic rock radio format. The broadcast tower used by the station is located in the Roxborough section of Philadelphia at, while studios are in Bala Cynwyd. The station features popular Philadelphia radio personalities Andre Gardner, Matt Cord, Steve Vassalotti, Eric Johnson and Tony Harris.
WPPZ-FM is a commercial radio station licensed to serve Pennsauken, New Jersey in the Philadelphia radio market. The station is owned by Urban One, through licensee Radio One Licenses, LLC, and broadcasts an urban oldies format. Studios are located in Bala Cynwyd and the broadcast tower used by the station is located atop One Liberty Place in Center City, Philadelphia at.
KCMO-FM is a commercial radio station licensed to Shawnee, Kansas, and serving the Kansas City metropolitan area. The station is owned by Cumulus Broadcasting and airs a classic hits radio format, switching to all-Christmas music from mid-November to December 25. KCMO-FM's studios and offices are located in the Corporate Woods area in Overland Park, Kansas. The transmitter is off Menown Avenue in Independence, Missouri.
WCBF is an FM radio station licensed to Elmira, New York. It is owned by Seven Mountains Media and airs a country music format.
WBAV-FM is an urban adult contemporary radio station serving the Charlotte metropolitan area (Metrolina). Owned by Beasley Broadcast Group, WBAV's studios and offices are on South Boulevard in Charlotte's South End. In morning drive time, it carries the syndicated Steve Harvey Morning Show.
WPEG is a mainstream urban radio station serving the Charlotte, North Carolina market. It is owned by Beasley Broadcast Group. The station's studios are located on South Boulevard in the city's South End, and a transmitter tower is located north of Dallas, North Carolina.
WBUZ is a commercial FM radio station licensed to La Vergne, Tennessee, and serving the Nashville metropolitan area. WBUZ airs an active rock music format, with elements of alternative rock, calling itself "Nashville's Rock Station." Weekday mornings, it carries the syndicated comedy and hot talk program "The Free Beer and Hot Wings Show." WBUZ is owned by The Cromwell Group, along with sports radio-formatted WPRT-FM and oldies-formatted WQZQ. The radio studios and offices are on Murfreesboro Pike in Nashville.
WNWR is a commercial radio station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It broadcasts a Christian talk and teaching radio format and is owned by Wilkins Broadcasting, LLC. Program hosts include Jim Daly, John MacArthur, Greg Laurie and Charles Capps. The studios are at 200 Monument Road, Suite 6, in Bala Cynwyd.
WBKV is a radio station in Buffalo, New York. It is owned by Educational Media Foundation and is a part of its K-Love network.
WFNZ, known on air as "102.5 The Block", is a commercial radio station in Charlotte, North Carolina. Owned by Urban One, the station airs an urban contemporary radio format. The studios and offices are at 1 Julian Price Place.
WUMR is a commercial Spanish contemporary hits FM radio station that is licensed to serve Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. The WUMR studios are located in the neighboring community of Bala Cynwyd, while the station transmitter resides in nearby Wyndmoor.
WIZR is a radio station that broadcasts a hot adult contemporary format. Licensed to Johnstown, New York, United States, the station serves the Mohawk Valley area. The station is owned by the Cranesville Radio Network and features hit songs from the 1990s until today.
WJGL is a commercial FM radio station in Jacksonville, Florida. The station is owned by Cox Radio, a division of the Cox Media Group. WJGL airs a classic hits radio format that leans towards classic rock, playing primarily rock songs from the 1970s, 80s and some 90s, while avoiding pop/dance artists such as Michael Jackson, Prince and Madonna.
WAVT-FM is a commercial FM radio station licensed to Pottsville, Pennsylvania, and calling itself "T-102." It is owned by Pottsville Broadcasting Company and broadcasts a Hot Adult Contemporary radio format. The station also broadcasts local high school sports and Penn State Nittany Lions football. Each weekend it carries "Rick Dees Weekly Top 40," the "Remix Top30 with Hollywood Hamilton" and the "Carson Daly Download."
↑ The original call sign policy for commercial FM stations included an initial "W" for stations east of the Mississippi River, followed by the last two digits of a station's assigned frequency, "53" for "45.3 MHz" in this case, and closing with a one or two letter community identifier, which for Philadelphia area stations was "PH".
↑ "Classical Music Programs Featured by Phila. Station" by Roger W. Clipp (Vice President and General Manager of W53PH and WFIL), The Philadelphia Inquire, November 12, 1941, page 22.
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.
