WIOQ
Encyclopedia
WIOQ, known as "Q102", is a CHR
/Pop
radio station which is broadcast in the Philadelphia area. The station appeals to a generally young demographic. WIOQ is owned by Clear Channel Communications
. Its transmitter is located in the Roxborough section of Philadelphia
.
, which was under common ownership with the radio station. By the late 1960s WFIL-FM was operating with an adult contemporary format.
-FM-TV
by Triangle Publications, Inc. in 1971 to Capital Cities Broadcasting (later Capital Cities Communications), WFIL-FM (102.1) was spun off to Richer Communications. The call letters were changed to WIOQ representing the script version of IOQ in relation to the frequency of 102. The familiar jingle of Popular 102 was also changed to W102. The station's music mix gradually became more rock-oriented, and by about 1975 WIOQ had a progressive rock format. The station had trouble competing with established FM rock leader WMMR
and aggressive AOR
upstart WYSP, and 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 retailing and broadcasting company based in Providence, Rhode Island
.
Under Outlet, WIOQ evolved into an eclectic music format often 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 are now the midday DJs for the adult alternative public station WXPN
. The former continues her "Leight Lunch" program at noon, and Dye is the producer and host of the nationally-distributed World Cafe
.) After a proposed sale of Outlet's broadcast properties to Coca-Cola
's Columbia Pictures
subsidiary around 1982 fell through, the station group was acquired by Wesray Capital Corporation
, a corporation partially owned by former Treasury Secretary William E. Simon
.
for Oldies as well, becoming WOGL
Oldies 98.
WOGL leaned toward pre-1964 oldies slightly more than WIOQ. WOGL also played somewhat more Philadelphia-based artists than WIOQ. As an oldies station, Solid Gold 102 was in 2nd place to WOGL. WOGL also had a deeper playlist than WIOQ.
, the station dropped Oldies and switched to a Dance/Urban/Top 40
(or "Churban") hybrid format. They kept the WIOQ call letters, but became known as Pirate Radio
, although they had no association with the rock-based CHR format of that name at then-KQLZ Los Angeles, then owned by Westwood One. It soon adopted the handle "Q102."
WIOQ was still owned by EZ Communications until the early 1990s. The station consistently leaned dance and urban, but played varying amounts of rock and AC crossover songs, changing according to chart trends and competitive conditions. At that point, the station was sold to American Radio Systems. In 1997, CBS bought American Radio Systems and WIOQ was spun off to Chancellor Media. By then, the station was Mainstream CHR with a slight dance and rhythmic lean. After the Chancellor acquisition, WIOQ became co-owned with 104.5 FM (now WRFF
), WDAS, WDAS-FM
, WUSL
, and WJJZ
(now WISX
). There were a few rumors that Q102 would adopt a Jammin' Oldies format in 1999, along with reports that WDAS-FM would possibly become a Jammin' Oldies station, but neither happened.
As a result of a large merger in 2001, WIOQ and the other stations in its cluster became properties of Clear Channel Communications
. Q102 remains a successful mainstream Top 40 radio station.
On Friday nights, Q102 provided live on-air mixes, and was the only station to bring the freestyle format to the air waves in Philadelphia, which was very popular with the Latino and Italian communities.
, with Angi Taylor, Diego, Blaire, and Team, until Booker was fired on May 23, 2008, when the station stated it was switching to a format that focused more on music.
The current Morning Show is Elvis Duran
& The Morning Show, which originates from Z100 New York
. Q102 began airing the show on July 23, 2008.
From 1990 to 1992, DJ Mike Wills mixed "Freestyle and House music" on Q102's Saturday night Mix Show "CLUB 102" from 10pm-2am alongside Joe Mama.
Elvis Duran in Philly Website
The Official Elvis Duran Website
Contemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts...
/Pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
radio station which is broadcast in the Philadelphia area. The station appeals to a generally young demographic. WIOQ is owned by Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. is an American media conglomerate company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. It was founded in 1972 by Lowry Mays and Red McCombs, and was taken private by Bain Capital LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners LP in a leveraged buyout in 2008...
. Its transmitter is located in the Roxborough section of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
.
WFIL-FM/Popular 102
The 102.1 MHz frequency in Philadelphia was originally occupied by WFIL-FM. In 1948 it was used to transmit some experimental facsimile broadcasts, presumably related to The Philadelphia InquirerThe Philadelphia Inquirer
The Philadelphia Inquirer is a morning daily newspaper that serves the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, metropolitan area of the United States. The newspaper was founded by John R. Walker and John Norvell in June 1829 as The Pennsylvania Inquirer and is the third-oldest surviving daily newspaper in the...
, which was under common ownership with the radio station. By the late 1960s WFIL-FM was operating with an adult contemporary format.
Album Rock Era
With the sale of WFIL AMWFIL
WFIL is a radio station and a former television station serving the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Its transmitter is located in Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania....
-FM-TV
WPVI-TV
WPVI-TV, channel 6, is an owned-and-operated television station of the Walt Disney Company-owned American Broadcasting Company, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. WPVI has its studios located on the border between Philadelphia and Bala Cynwyd, and its transmitter is located in the...
by Triangle Publications, Inc. in 1971 to Capital Cities Broadcasting (later Capital Cities Communications), WFIL-FM (102.1) was spun off to Richer Communications. The call letters were changed to WIOQ representing the script version of IOQ in relation to the frequency of 102. The familiar jingle of Popular 102 was also changed to W102. The station's music mix gradually became more rock-oriented, and by about 1975 WIOQ had a progressive rock format. The station had trouble competing with established FM rock leader WMMR
WMMR
WMMR is an active rock radio station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, broadcasting at 93.3 MHz FM. The station is owned by Greater Media....
and aggressive AOR
Album-oriented rock
Album-oriented rock is an American FM radio format focusing on album tracks by rock artists.-Music played:Most radio formats are based on a select, tight rotation of hit singles...
upstart WYSP, and 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
The Outlet Company
The Outlet Company was a corporation based in Providence, Rhode Island, which owned holdings in both retail and broadcasting. The centerpieces of the group was its flagship Providence store and WJAR radio and television, also in Providence....
, a retailing and broadcasting company based in Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
.
Under Outlet, WIOQ evolved into an eclectic music format often 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
World Cafe
World Cafe is a two-hour long, nationally syndicated music radio program that originates from WXPN, a non-commercial station licensed to the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. The program began in 1991 and was originally distributed by Public Radio...
, Ed Sciaky
Ed Sciaky
Edward Leon Sciaky was a disc jockey in Philadelphia.He was born in New York City and raised in Philadelphia, where he graduated from Temple University...
and Michael Tozzi. (Leicht and Dye are now the midday DJs for the adult alternative public station WXPN
WXPN
WXPN is a non-commercial, public radio station operated by the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia that broadcasts a music radio format called adult album alternative , along with many other format shows supported all with an indie slant...
. The former continues her "Leight Lunch" program at noon, and Dye is the producer and host of the nationally-distributed World Cafe
World Cafe
World Cafe is a two-hour long, nationally syndicated music radio program that originates from WXPN, a non-commercial station licensed to the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. The program began in 1991 and was originally distributed by Public Radio...
.) After a proposed sale of Outlet's broadcast properties to Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in more than 200 countries. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke...
's Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production and distribution company. Columbia Pictures now forms part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Sony. It is one of the leading film companies...
subsidiary around 1982 fell through, the station group was acquired by Wesray Capital Corporation
Wesray Capital Corporation
Wesray Capital Corporation was an early private equity firm focussing on leveraged buyout investments. The firm was founded by former US Secretary of the Treasury William E...
, a corporation partially owned by former Treasury Secretary William E. Simon
William E. Simon
William Edward Simon was a businessman, a Secretary of Treasury of the U.S. for three years, and a philanthropist. He became the 63rd Secretary of the Treasury on May 8, 1974, during the Nixon administration. He was reappointed by President Ford and served until 1977. Outside of government, he was...
.
Solid Gold 102
After years of low to moderate ratings, on November 9, 1987, the adult rock format was dropped in favor of an oldies format, playing the hits of 1955-1973 and positioning themselves as "Solid Gold 102". On the same day CBS-owned WCAU-FM dropped CHRContemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts...
for Oldies as well, becoming WOGL
WOGL
WOGL is an FM radio station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.The station plays mostly post 1964 pop leaning Oldies positioned Classic Hits music, including Motown, soul and rock and roll spanning roughly 1964–1985. An occasional pre-1964 song is played. WOGL is owned by CBS Radio...
Oldies 98.
WOGL leaned toward pre-1964 oldies slightly more than WIOQ. WOGL also played somewhat more Philadelphia-based artists than WIOQ. As an oldies station, Solid Gold 102 was in 2nd place to WOGL. WOGL also had a deeper playlist than WIOQ.
Q102 Goes CHR
Late in 1988, WIOQ was sold to EZ Communications. On January 18, 19891989 in radio
The year 1989 saw a number of significant events in radio broadcasting.-Events:*KMEZ breaks away from its FM sister station to adopt a business-oriented news/talk format as KDBN.*ABC Radio has acquired Satellite Music Network...
, the station dropped Oldies and switched to a Dance/Urban/Top 40
Rhythmic Contemporary
Rhythmic contemporary, also known as rhythmic top 40, rhythmic contemporary hit radio or rhythmic crossover, is a music radio format that includes a mix of EDM, upbeat rhythmic pop, hip-hop and R&B hits. Rhythmic contemporary rarely uses rock music or country music in its airplay, but it may...
(or "Churban") hybrid format. They kept the WIOQ call letters, but became known as Pirate Radio
Pirate radio
Pirate radio is illegal or unregulated radio transmission. The term is most commonly used to describe illegal broadcasting for entertainment or political purposes, but is also sometimes used for illegal two-way radio operation...
, although they had no association with the rock-based CHR format of that name at then-KQLZ Los Angeles, then owned by Westwood One. It soon adopted the handle "Q102."
WIOQ was still owned by EZ Communications until the early 1990s. The station consistently leaned dance and urban, but played varying amounts of rock and AC crossover songs, changing according to chart trends and competitive conditions. At that point, the station was sold to American Radio Systems. In 1997, CBS bought American Radio Systems and WIOQ was spun off to Chancellor Media. By then, the station was Mainstream CHR with a slight dance and rhythmic lean. After the Chancellor acquisition, WIOQ became co-owned with 104.5 FM (now WRFF
WRFF
WRFF is a modern rock FM radio station located in and licensed to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The station is owned by Clear Channel Communications and is known on-air as "Radio 104.5."-WRCP-FM:...
), WDAS, WDAS-FM
WDAS-FM
WDAS-FM is an Urban Adult Contemporary radio station that features R&B and Classic Soul, and is licensed to the city of Philadelphia. The station is widely regarded as one of the originators of the Urban AC format which mixes R&B oldies with non-rap contemporary R&B and is now found in many major...
, WUSL
WUSL
WUSL, known as "Power 99 FM", is a mainstream urban radio station, owned by Clear Channel Communications and licensed to Philadelphia...
, and WJJZ
WJJZ
WPEN-FM is a radio station owned by Greater Media. Licensed to Burlington, New Jersey, it currently broadcasts a sports format to the Philadelphia metropolitan area....
(now WISX
WISX
WISX is a Hot adult contemporary radio station licensed to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are owned by Clear Channel Communications.-Beautiful Music Era: WQAL/WWSH:...
). There were a few rumors that Q102 would adopt a Jammin' Oldies format in 1999, along with reports that WDAS-FM would possibly become a Jammin' Oldies station, but neither happened.
As a result of a large merger in 2001, WIOQ and the other stations in its cluster became properties of Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. is an American media conglomerate company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. It was founded in 1972 by Lowry Mays and Red McCombs, and was taken private by Bain Capital LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners LP in a leveraged buyout in 2008...
. Q102 remains a successful mainstream Top 40 radio station.
On Friday nights, Q102 provided live on-air mixes, and was the only station to bring the freestyle format to the air waves in Philadelphia, which was very popular with the Latino and Italian communities.
Q102 Today
The morning drive show was hosted by Chris BookerChris Booker
Chris Booker is an American radio and TV personality.-Career:Chris Booker is a TV/radio personality. He has worked as a correspondent for TV Guide Channel covering red carpet events such as "Live at the Grammys with Joan and Melissa Rivers," and "Live at the Kids Choice Awards." He also served as...
, with Angi Taylor, Diego, Blaire, and Team, until Booker was fired on May 23, 2008, when the station stated it was switching to a format that focused more on music.
The current Morning Show is Elvis Duran
Elvis Duran
Elvis Duran is the host of the Elvis Duran and the Morning Show in New York on Z100 and in syndication on Premiere Radio Networks.Duran's show is now heard live in over 40 markets including New York, Philadelphia, Miami, Cleveland, Tampa, Syracuse, Atlanta, & Des Moines.Before his current job at...
& The Morning Show, which originates from Z100 New York
WHTZ
WHTZ — branded Z100 — is a commercial pop/contemporary hit radio radio station licensed to Newark, New Jersey serving the New York metropolitan area. The station is currently owned by Clear Channel Communications...
. Q102 began airing the show on July 23, 2008.
Weekdays
- Elvis Duran and the Q102 Morning Show (6am-10am)
- On Air with Ryan Seacrest (10am-2pm)
- Romeo (2pm-6pm)
- Maxwell's House (6pm-12am)
Saturdays
- Mike Miller (12am-4am)
- Elvis Duran and the Morning Show (5am-9am)
- Carson (9am-2pm)
- Rocco (2pm-7pm)
- Saturday Night Online (7pm-12am)
Sundays
- Mike Miller (12am-4am)
- American Top 40American Top 40American Top 40 is an internationally syndicated, independent radio program created by Casey Kasem, Don Bustany, Tom Rounds and Ron Jacobs. Originally a production of Watermark Inc...
with Ryan SeacrestRyan SeacrestRyan John Seacrest is an American radio personality, television host, network producer and voice actor. He is the host of On Air with Ryan Seacrest, a nationally syndicated Top 40 radio show that airs on KIIS-FM in Los Angeles and throughout the United States and Canada on Premiere Radio Networks,...
(8am-12pm) - Nik The Web Chick (12pm-5pm)
- Dawson McAllister (10pm-2am)
Past Shows
- The Freak Show was an afternoon/evening broadcast with Tic Tac, Mikey and Big Bob which catered to single women in the Philadelphia market between 2002 and 2004. The show has since moved to Pittsburgh on 96.1 Kiss FMWKST-FMWKST-FM is a Rhythmic Contemporary outlet based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Owned by Clear Channel Communications, the station broadcasts at 96.1 MHz, with an ERP of 44 kW...
, where they have similar "gigs" like "hot girl check in". Philadelphia listeners can still tune into the show via WKST's live streaming, however, the broadcast now happens during the morning drive. (Source: http://www.961kiss.com/pages/morningfreakshow.html) - Chio in the Morning used to be on Q102 from summer 1999 up until early 2006. Chio is now with Wired 96.5WRDW-FMWRDW-FM, also known as Wired 96.5, is a Philadelphia radio station owned by Beasley Broadcast Group that plays a Rhythmic Top 40 musical format. Although they lean towards R&B/Hip-Hop, Wired also adds Rhythmic Pop tracks to their playlist...
's morning show. - Logan hosted the afternoon drive show from 1998 until 2004, at which point he was replaced by Kasper. He can now be heard on sister station My 1061.
- Chris Marino hosted nights along with sidekick Rich The Freak on Q102 from July 1998 until July 2001 and received the Philadelphia A.I.R. Award for Best Weekday Evening show in 2000. Chris is currently morning host and program director at STAR 93.3/WBWZ as well as program director at 96.1 KISS-FM/WPKF in the Hudson Valley of New York.
- Stick On The Radio hosted nights at Q102 from 2001–2002 and received the Philadelphia A.I.R. Award for Best Weekday Evening show in 2001. Stick has since had stints at Z100 New York, Cleveland's 96-5 KISS FM and currently does afternoon drive at XL 106.7 in Orlando, FL.
- Kasper was the afternoon drive host at Q102 from September 2004 - September 2005 and now can be heard in Cleveland on 96-5 KISS FM, where he is APD/MD afternoon drive host and where he previously worked at before coming to Philadelphia.
- B-Dub was the afternoon host from September 2005 - August 2006. After leaving Q102, he was heard as a swing talent on competitor Wired 96.5 until May 2008, when he left the business. B-Dub now works as a Real Estate agent in the Philadelphia area.
- Eddie and JoBo, hosted morning drive between fall 1994 and summer 1995, now host mornings for the 2nd time at WBBM-FM Chicago. The duo hosted mornings at WBBM from 1988–1994, worked at Q102 for a year after being fired from WBBM for what officials described as "Gross Misconduct" and were re-hired by WBBM in 1996 where they were on every morning from 5 - 10am until 2008 when their contracts ended. Currently on Weekday mornings 5:30-10:00 on 104.3 K-Hits in ChicagoChicagoChicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. - Club 102 Live at "Egypt at the Waterfront" with DJ Chuck and Joe Mama Saturday Night from 10pm-2am 1997-2002
- Afterhours with Joe Finnest 2am-5am Friday/Saturday morning Saturday/Sunday Morning 1997-2001
- House of Q Sunday night from 10pm-2am 199?-1997
- The Booker Show. Weekday mornings from 6-10am. 2006-2008
- Joey Brooks-Weekdays 2pm-6pm. 2006-2009. Currently at CHUM-FMCHUM-FMCHUM-FM is a Canadian radio station licensed to Toronto, Ontario and operated by Bell Media. It broadcasts at 104.5 MHz with a hot adult contemporary format that leans towards rhythmic adult contemporary...
in TorontoTorontoToronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
.
From 1990 to 1992, DJ Mike Wills mixed "Freestyle and House music" on Q102's Saturday night Mix Show "CLUB 102" from 10pm-2am alongside Joe Mama.
External links
The Official WIOQ (Q102) Website- http://www.q102.com
Elvis Duran in Philly Website
- http://elvisinphilly.elvisduran.com/pages/meettheshow/
The Official Elvis Duran Website
- http://www.elvisduran.com