 | |
| Broadcast area | Charlotte/Metrolina |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 96.1MHz (HD Radio) |
| Branding | Hits 96.1 |
| Programming | |
| Format | Contemporary hit radio |
| Subchannels |
|
| Affiliations | Premiere Networks |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| WEND,WKKT,WLKO,WRFX,W254AZ | |
| History | |
First air date | 1948 (as WOHS-FM)[1] |
Former call signs | |
Call sign meaning | "Hits Queen City"[3] |
| Technical information[4] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 74194 |
| Class | C |
| ERP | 100,000watts |
| 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 |
| Translators | |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen live (viaiHeartRadio) |
| Website | hits961 |
WHQC (96.1FM,Hits 96.1) is a commercial radio stationlicensed toShelby, North Carolina, and serving theCharlotte metropolitan area (Metrolina). It broadcasts acontemporary hit radio format branded asHits 96.1. It is owned byiHeartMedia with studios in the Wood Ridge Center office complex off Billy Graham Parkway in south Charlotte. WHQC's primary competitor is 95.1WNKS, owned byBeasley Broadcast Group.
WHQC has aneffective radiated power (ERP) of 100,000watts, the maximum for most American radio stations. It is licensed to broadcast in theHD Radio format.[5] The HD2subchannel carriescontemporary worship music from "Air1" onFM translator W262BM at 100.3 FM.[6] The HD3 subchannel airs acontemporary Christian format called "HIS Radio", on FM translator W243BY at 96.5 FM.
The stationsigned on the air in 1948; 77 years ago (1948).[7] The originalcall sign was WOHS-FM, thesister station to WOHS 730 AM (nowWZGV). Because WOHS was adaytimer, 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 Charlotteradio market. It became WXIK.[1] The station began playing aTop 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.
On February 27, 1987, the station boosted its signal to a full 100,000watts, allowing it to cover the entire Charlotte area, including its farthest suburbs. At the same time, the station adopted a gold-basedadult contemporary format under new call letters WWMG and the "Magic 96" branding.[8][9] By the spring of 1989, the station flipped tooldies.[10]
As WWMG, the station was Charlotte's radio home of theNorth 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.
At midnight on September 1, 2004, after playing "American Pie" byDon McLean, WWMG beganstunting with a wide range of music featuring the word "kiss" in the titles. At 3 pm the following day, WWMG flipped torhythmic contemporary, branded as "96.1 The Beat". The WIBT call letters were chosen shortly afterwards, even though it created confusion between it and Charlotte stationWBT, which also has a spot on the FM dial as well.[11]
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 contemporary formatted station, WIBT was in competition with long-time heritageurban stationWPEG and mainstream contemporary stationWNKS, both of whom are sister stations. Although its music tended to favorhip-hop, WIBT played pop and dance crossovers that were hits.
In early September 2010, WIBT segued into a mainstreamcontemporary hit radio format, going head-to-head with WNKS. 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-hostingFox News Edge onWCCB 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 fromChicago 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'sWKSC-FM as well asWMKS inHigh Point andWKXJ inChattanooga.[12][13][14]
On August 31, 2011, WIBT changed its call letters to WHQC, while keeping its CHR-Top 40 format.[15]
On December 16, 2011, the station announced that longtime Charlotte morning radio hostsAce & TJ would be replacing Brotha Fred, beginning January 5, 2012.[16] Ace & TJ left the station in July 2021, and returned to WNKS in July 2022 in a mid-morning timeslot.[17]
Brooke Morrison joined the "Channel 96-1" team for afternoons on March 26, 2018, after being the producer for Nina Chantele onKRRL inLos Angeles.[18] On January 4, 2019, WHQC rebranded as "Hits 96.1."[19]
On-air personalities Miguel & Holly joined WHQC as the new morningdrive time show in March 2022.[20][21] In mid-afternoons, it also carriesOn Air with Ryan Seacrest,syndicated by co-ownedPremiere Networks.
Four translators carry programming heard on WHQC's digital subchannels, through a lease agreement. WHQC-HD2 featurescontemporary worship music from the "Air1" network, owned by theEducational Media Foundation (EMF). WHQC-HD3 carries "HIS Radio", playingcontemporary Christian music. HIS Radio is based atWLFJ-FM inGreenville, South Carolina.
| 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″N80°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″N80°37′3.1″W / 35.401028°N 80.617528°W /35.401028; -80.617528 (W252DI) | LMS |
| 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″N80°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″N81°6′55.3″W / 35.297361°N 81.115361°W /35.297361; -81.115361 (W252BU) | LMS |