WHBQ-FM

WHBQ-FM is a Germantown, Tennessee, United States-based radio station broadcasting a classic hits format. It serves Memphis along with its northern and eastern suburbs from an antenna located in Cordova, Tennessee. It is commonly referred to as the "Q", and first hit airwaves on March 23, 2004. It is owned by the Flinn Broadcasting Corporation and shares its call sign with FOX 13 on TV and sister station Sports 56 on AM. It operates from its studios in Southeast Memphis.

This article is about the station currently known as WHBQ-FM . For the station formerly known as WHBQ-FM, see WGKX.

WHBQ-FM
CityGermantown, Tennessee
Broadcast areaMemphis, Tennessee
Frequency107.5 MHz (HD Radio)
Branding107.5 WHBQ
SloganAll The Classic Hits
Programming
FormatClassic hits
SubchannelsHD2: Top 40 (CHR) "B96.3"
Ownership
OwnerFlinn Broadcasting Corporation
KHGA, KXHT, WGSF, WHBQ, WIVG, WMPS, WMSO
History
First air date
1993 (as WAQK)
Former call signs
WAQK (1993-1994)
WJOI (1994-1997)
WKSL (1997-2001)
WYYL (8/2001-12/2001)
WMPS (2001-2004)
Call sign meaning
We Have Better Quartets[1]
Technical information
Facility ID50330
ClassA
ERP3,900 watts
HAAT124 meters
Translator(s)96.3 W242CF (Memphis, relays HD2)
Links
WebcastListen live
Listen live (HD2)
Websitewhbqmemphis.com
b96memphis.com (HD2)

History

The station first signed on in 1993, beginning as WAQK. A year later the call sign was changed to WJOI. In 1997 the station took its first jab at the Top 40 radio market with another call sign change to WKSL, and the moniker "107.5 KISS FM". This station, like the "Q", had a format based on that of KIIS-FM in L.A.. Though moderately popular, and the longest-lasting format to date, this format was ended in 2001, and in August of that year it was changed to WYYL, a.k.a. "Wild 107-5". This station had a Rhythmic Contemporary Hit format, similar to that of another former Memphis station, Power 99. This format only lasted for four months before being turned into WMPS, a.k.a. "The Pig". This station had more of an adult contemporary format, like similar Memphis stations FM 100 or WRVR. Finally in 2004, after three years of Memphis not having a true Top 40 outlet, the station was turned into its current format and call sign. In 2010, Q 107.5 expanded its signal by adding a simulcast on 96.1 FM, while 96.1 FM's format of AAA "The Pig" moved down the dial to WPGF-LP 87.7 FM.

On April 11, 2013, WIVG split from its simulcast with WHBQ-FM and changed format to alternative rock, branded as "96X".[2] WHBQ-FM now refers to the format as "Q 107.5, All the Hits".

On September 28, 2020, at 9:54 a.m. after playing "If the World Was Ending" by JP Saxe feat. Julia Michaels, WHBQ began stunting with Christmas music. At 12:04 p.m., the station changed their format from top 40/CHR to classic hits branded as "107.5 WHBQ". The first song that played on WHBQ was "Always Something There To Remind Me" by Naked Eyes.[3]

WHBQ-HD2

On August 30, 2019, WHBQ-FM launched a 1980's hits format on its HD2 subchannel, branded as "Z96.3" (simulcast on translator W242CF 96.3 FM Memphis).[4]

On January 20, 2020, WHBQ-HD2/W242CF changed their format from 1980s hits to alternative rock, branded as "I96".[5]

On January 22, 2021 WHBQ-HD2/W242CF changed their format from alternative rock to top 40/CHR, branded as "B96.3".[6]

References
  1. "Call Letter Origins". Radio History on the Web.
  2. Alternative Returns to Memphis Radioinsight - April 11, 2013
  3. WHBQ-FM Memphis Flips to Classic Hits Radioinight - September 28, 2020
  4. 96.3 Memphis Goes Back to the 80s Radioinsight - August 30, 2019
  5. I96 Returns to Memphis Radioinsight - January 20, 2020
  6. Flinn Launches CHR B96.3 Memphis Radioinsight - January 22, 2021

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