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WHQC
Broadcast areaCharlotte/Metrolina
Frequency96.1 MHz (HD Radio)
BrandingHits 96.1
Programming
FormatGold-leaning Top 40 (CHR)
Subchannels
AffiliationsPremiere 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 ID74194
ClassC
ERP100,000 watts
HAAT533 meters (1,749 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
35°21′44.5″N 81°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
WebcastListen live (via iHeartRadio)
Websitehits961.iheart.com

WHQC (96.1 FM, Hits 96.1) is a commercial radio station licensed to Shelby, North Carolina, and serving the Charlotte metropolitan area (Metrolina). It broadcasts a gold-based Top 40 (CHR) format branded as "Hits 96.1". It is owned by iHeartMedia with studios in the Wood Ridge Center office complex off Billy Graham Parkway in south Charlotte. WHQC's primary competitor is 95.1 WNKS, owned by Beasley Broadcast Group.

WHQC has an effective radiated power (ERP) of 100,000 watts, the maximum for most American radio stations. It is licensed to broadcast in the HD Radio format.[5] The HD2 subchannel carries contemporary worship music from "Air1" on FM translator W262BM at 100.3 FM.[6] The HD3 subchannel airs a Contemporary Christian format called "HIS Radio," on FM translator W243BY at 96.5 FM.

History

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WOHS-FM and WXIK

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The station signed on the air in 1948; 76 years ago (1948).[7] The original call sign was WOHS-FM, the sister station to WOHS 730 AM (now WZGV). Because WOHS was a daytimer, required to go off the air at sunset, WOHS-FM was able to continue broadcasting into the evening. At first, WOGH-FM was only powered at 2,600 watts, a fraction of its current output, and was only heard within about 20 miles (32 km) of Shelby.

In 1978, the station increased its signal power. The boost allowed it to cover most of the lucrative Charlotte radio market. It became WXIK.[1] The station began playing 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, Andy Foster, Vince Goolio, J. Worthington Smith, Eddie Bridges, Dawne Conrad, Don Richards, Rusty Price, Kent Dorsey, Scott Miller, Jeff Champion, and Bob Davis.

WWMG

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On February 27, 1987, at 5:30 a.m., the station boosted its signal to a full 100,000 watts, allowing it to cover the entire Charlotte area, including its farthest suburbs. At the same time, the station adopted a gold-based adult contemporary format. It began using new call letters, WWMG as "Magic 96".[8] 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. The oldies format remained successful for nearly two decades but in the early 2000s, the station saw a drop in its ratings.

WIBT

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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 call letters 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"

Despite the dispute over its call sign, 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 97.9 WPEG and mainstream contemporary station 95.1 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 Top 40 - CHR format, going head-to-head with WNKS "Kiss 95.1." It used the slogan "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," while retaining the "All The Hits" positioner.

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]

WHQC

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On August 31, 2011, WIBT changed its call letters to WHQC, while keeping its CHR-Top 40 format.[12]

On December 16, 2011, the station announced that longtime Charlotte morning radio hosts Ace & TJ would be replacing Brotha Fred, beginning January 5, 2012.[13] Ace & TJ left the station in July 2021. They returned to their former station 95.1 WNKS in July 2022 in a mid-morning timeslot.[14]

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.[15] On January 4, 2019, WHQC rebranded as "Hits 96.1."[16]

On-air personalities Miguel & Holly joined WHQC as the new morning drive time show in March 2022.[17][18] In mid-afternoons, it also carries On Air with Ryan Seacrest, syndicated by co-owned Premiere Networks.

Translators

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Four translators carry programming heard on WHQC's digital subchannels, through a lease agreement. WHQC-HD2 features contemporary worship music from the "Air1" network, owned by the Educational Media Foundation (EMF). WHQC-HD3 carries "HIS Radio", playing Contemporary Christian music. HIS Radio is based at WLFJ-FM in Greenville, South Carolina.

Broadcast translators for WHQC-HD2
Call sign Frequency City of license FID ERP (W) Class Transmitter coordinates FCC info
W262BM 100.3 FM Charlotte, North Carolina 29264 250 D 35°11′56.3″N 80°52′35.7″W / 35.198972°N 80.876583°W / 35.198972; -80.876583 (W262BM) LMS
W252DI 98.3 FM Concord, North Carolina 142031 250 D 35°24′3.7″N 80°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 coordinates FCC info
W243BY 96.5 FM Charlotte, North Carolina 148112 250 164.6 m (540 ft) D 35°11′56.5″N 80°52′35.3″W / 35.199028°N 80.876472°W / 35.199028; -80.876472 (W243BY) LMS
W252BU 98.3 FM Dallas, North Carolina 148024 250 194.1 m (637 ft) D 35°17′50.5″N 81°6′55.3″W / 35.297361°N 81.115361°W / 35.297361; -81.115361 (W252BU) LMS

References

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  1. ^ a b c "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. ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1977 page C-155. Retrieved Nov. 4, 2024.
  8. ^ "RR-1987-03-13" (PDF). americanradiohistory.com. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  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. ^ 96.1 the Beat is Now Channel 96.1
  13. ^ Washburn, Mark (December 16, 2011). "Ace & T.J. making a comeback". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved December 26, 2011.[permanent dead link‍]
  14. ^ "Ace and TJ Are Returning to Kiss 95.1". July 13, 2022.
  15. ^ "Brooke Morrison To Handle Afternoons On WHQC (Channel 96-1)/Charlotte". All Access. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
  16. ^ "Channel 96.1 Charlotte Revamps as Hits 96". Radioinsight. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
  17. ^ "Miguel & Holly In Charlotte". Radio Ink. February 17, 2022. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  18. ^ 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.
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