WLVQ (96.3 FM) — branded Q-FM 96 — is a commercial classic rock radio station licensed to Columbus, Ohio. Owned by Wilks Broadcast Group, LLC, the station serves the Columbus metro area. The WLVQ studios are located on the northeast side of Columbus, the station transmitter is located downtown Columbus on the Twin Rivers Drive tower.
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| City of license | Columbus, Ohio |
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| Broadcast area | Columbus metro area |
| Branding | Q-FM 96 |
| Slogan | Ohio's Best Rock |
| Frequency | 96.3 MHz |
| First air date | February 14, 1977 (as WLVQ) April 1, 1959 (as WTVN-FM) |
| Format | Classic rock |
| ERP | 50,000 watts |
| HAAT | 229 meters |
| Class | B |
| Facility ID | 11277 |
| Transmitter coordinates | 39°58′16.00″N 83°1′40.00″W / 39.9711111°N 83.0277778°W |
| Former callsigns | WTVN-FM (1974–1977) WBUK (1966–1974) WTVN-FM (1959–1966) |
| Owner | Wilks Broadcast Group, LLC (Wilks License Company-Columbus, LLC) |
| Sister stations | WZOH-FM, WHOK-FM |
| Webcast | Listen Live |
| Website | qfm96.com |
WLVQ (96.3 FM) — branded Q-FM 96 — is a commercial classic rock radio station licensed to Columbus, Ohio. Owned by Wilks Broadcast Group, LLC, the station serves the Columbus metro area. The WLVQ studios are located on the northeast side of Columbus, the station transmitter is located downtown Columbus on the Twin Rivers Drive tower.
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History [edit]
The 96.3 MHz frequency was first occupied by WLWF, a station owned by the Crosley Broadcasting Corporation along with sister station WLWC (now WCMH-TV); WLWF broadcast from 1949–1953.[1] WLVQ itself began on April 1, 1959 as WTVN-FM, owned by Taft Broadcasting Company along with sister stations WTVN (AM) and WTVN-TV (now WSYX).[2] In 1966, WTVN-FM changed its callsign to WBUK and format to adult contemporary. The station again switched formats and started playing "Beautiful Music" (easy listening) in 1969. The station reverted to the WTVN-FM call sign in 1974, but continued to play "Beautiful Music."
The station adopted the WLVQ call sign on February 14, 1977. "Q-FM-96 OHIO'S BEST ROCK" was born! The first song played was "New Kid in Town" by the Eagles. For many years the station's mascot was The Q Kangaroo, a creature selected by a listener in a contest. Q-FM-96 was an early champion of, and outlet for, Columbus's vibrant rock music community, and was particularly notable for its "Hometown Album Project", a series of compilation LPs featuring local artists, which debuted shortly after the station signed on. Another fondly remembered feature in the 1980s was the Sunday morning show "Psychedelic Sunday," showcasing 1960s-era rock, much of it relatively obscure-and hosted by British DJ Russell Carey. There has been lots of great programming in Q-FM-96's long rich history.
WTVN (AM) still exists, but is owned by Clear Channel Communications, and no longer affiliated with WLVQ. WLVQ was owned and operated by various owners Taft, Great American, Jacor and Citicasters for a number of years until a 1998 sale to Infinity Broadcasting (now CBS Radio). In October 2006 CBS announced an agreement to sell the station to Wilks Broadcast Group, LLC. In November 2006, Wilks Broadcast Group, LLC took over WLVQ via a local marketing agreement, let go OM/PD Dave Cooper and midday host Dave Man in December and Chris Thomas was promoted to program director and midday host. On May 2, 2009, Chris Thomas left and Megan Slater became the program director and midday host. On April 27, 2010, Megan Slater left and Joe "Show" Pasternak was promoted to program director and Sue Leighton was brought in from WBNS-FM/Mix 97.1 for middays. In December 2011 Sue Leighton took over as program director so Joe Show could concentrate on his afternoon drive on-air duties. The station's owner is Jeff Wilks - Wilks Broadcast Group, LLC.
Current programming/Daddy Wags morning show history [edit]
Currently WLVQ/Q-FM-96 airs the Torg & Elliott morning show; Scott Torgerson and Jerry Elliott. Other on-air personalities include Arch Madness "Archie", Kristie Kemper, Dan Orr, Sue Leighton, Joe Show and Andrew Wright. Long time morning host Mark "Daddy Wags" Wagner is retired but makes occasional on-air appearances with Torg and Elliott. Daddy Wags is probably the most noted personality on Q-FM-96...he arrived at the station in 1979 as the night DJ and then was promoted to mornings with Pat Still in 1981. "Pat and Wags" were lured away for mornings at WRIF in Detroit in December 1986. Wags returned to Q-FM-96 for mornings in March 1988 with John Fisher and JJ Jeffrey and has been on mornings since his retirement in May 2012. Pat Still left Detroit for a station in Sacramento, California. John Fisher left Q-FM-96 for WLUP in Chicago. Jerry Elliott and Kristie Kemper joined Wags in 1990. Jerry was a stand-up comedian, Kristie came from the morning show at WAZU/Dayton, OH.
References [edit]
External links [edit]
- Official website
- Query the FCC's FM station database for WLVQ
- Radio-Locator information on WLVQ
- Query Arbitron's FM station database for WLVQ
- Aerial photo of WLVQ transmitter from Google Maps
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