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bring over some more "Music Zone" details from WKXL (as *this* article is about 102.3; WKXL's is about 1450); etc.
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==History==
==History==
===Early years===
The station began operations March 7, 1972<ref name="by1989">{{cite book|title=Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1989|date=1989|page=B-188|url=http://www.davidgleason.com/Archive%20BC-YB/1989/B-2%20Radio%20Neb%20to%20Terr%201989-5.pdf|access-date=April 5, 2010}}</ref> as WKXL-FM, the FM sister station to [[WKXL]] (1450 AM), under the ownership of Frank Estes, who also owned [[WXEX (AM)|WKXR]] in [[Exeter, New Hampshire]].<ref name="nhab-wwhkfounding">{{cite web|url=http://www.nhab.org/alumni/estes.html|title=NHAB Alumni: Frank Estes|date=October 28, 2001|publisher=New Hampshire Association of Broadcasters|access-date=August 26, 2008}}</ref> In 1980, Estes sold the WKXL stations to a group of station employees.
The station began operations March 7, 1972<ref name="by1989">{{cite book|title=Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1989|date=1989|page=B-188|url=http://www.davidgleason.com/Archive%20BC-YB/1989/B-2%20Radio%20Neb%20to%20Terr%201989-5.pdf|access-date=April 5, 2010}}</ref> as WKXL-FM, the FM sister station to [[WKXL]] (1450 AM), under the ownership of Frank Estes, who also owned [[WXEX (AM)|WKXR]] in [[Exeter, New Hampshire]].<ref name="nhab-wwhkfounding">{{cite web|url=http://www.nhab.org/alumni/estes.html|title=NHAB Alumni: Frank Estes|date=October 28, 2001|publisher=New Hampshire Association of Broadcasters|access-date=August 26, 2008}}</ref> In 1980, Estes sold the WKXL stations to a group of station employees.


===The Music Zone===
The 102.3 FM signal was largely a repeater of the 1450 AM broadcast until 1986 when the owners launched a "light alternative" [[adult album alternative]] format<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://patch.com/new-hampshire/concord-nh/is-925-fm-the-river-coming-to-concord|title = Is 92.5 FM 'The River' Coming to Concord?|date = 6 April 2014}}</ref> named "The Music Zone" and featured artists such as [[The Cure]], [[Poi Dog Pondering]], [[10,000 Maniacs]], [[The Pixies]], [[The Call (band)|The Call]], and [[U2]].<ref>https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Gavin-IDX/IDX/80s/89/Gavin-Report-1989-07-09-OCR-Page-0038.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref> The Music Zone format continued until 1991 when financial pressures returned the FM signal to a simulcast of the AM broadcast.<ref>https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/90s/91/RR-1991-01-11-OCR-Page-0028.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref>
[[File:WKXL.jpg|thumb|WKXL-FM, 102.3 FM DJs, 1989]]The 102.3 FM signal was largely a repeater of the 1450 AM news-talk broadcast until 1986 when the owners launched a "light alternative" [[adult album alternative]] format.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://patch.com/new-hampshire/concord-nh/is-925-fm-the-river-coming-to-concord|title=Is 92.5 FM ‘The River’ Coming to Concord?|date=April 6, 2014|website=Concord, NH Patch}}</ref> The format was led by Program Director Renee Blake, Production Director Taft Moore, on-air talent including Dave Doud, Julia Figueras, Norm Beeker, and Jay Dreves,<ref>https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Album-Netwok-IDX/IDX/Album-Network-1989-09-13-OCR-Page-0009.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref> and featured artists such as [[The Cure]], [[Poi Dog Pondering]], [[10,000 Maniacs]], [[The Pixies]], [[The Call (band)|The Call]], and [[U2]].<ref>https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Gavin-IDX/IDX/80s/89/Gavin-Report-1989-07-09-OCR-Page-0038.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref> The station won recognition, Best of the Best, in 1990 from the [[National Association of Broadcasters]] for community service with their This Island Earth promotion that focused on environmental awareness with on-air and "in-field" activities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mediaeyeque.com/this-island-earth|title=This Island Earth|website=mediaeyequerevised}}</ref> The Music Zone format continued until 1991 when financial pressures returned the FM signal to a simulcast of the AM broadcast.<ref>https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/90s/91/RR-1991-01-11-OCR-Page-0028.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref>


==="Outlaw" country===
In 1999, the employee group sold the WKXL stations to Vox Media,<ref name="nerw-wkxlsimulcastsale">{{cite news|url=http://www.bostonradio.org/nerw/nerw-990402.html|title=The Eagle Has Crash-Landed|last=Fybush|first=Scott|date=April 2, 1999|work=North East RadioWatch|access-date=August 26, 2008}}</ref> who, after buying [[WTPL|WRCI]] (107.7 FM) in nearby [[Hillsborough, New Hampshire|Hillsborough]] several months later, shifted the simulcast to that station;<ref name="nerw-wkxlfmmove">{{cite news|url=http://www.bostonradio.org/nerw/nerw-991226.html|title=Citadel Bulks Up in Worcester|last=Fybush|first=Scott|date=December 26, 1999|work=North East RadioWatch|access-date=August 26, 2008}}</ref> as a result, on January 3, 2000, the station returned to separate programming as a [[Country music|country]] station, WOTX-FM ("Outlaw Country").<ref name="nerw-wotxcalls">{{cite news|url=http://www.bostonradio.org/nerw/nerw-000128.html|title=Welcome Back WMEX, and We Take On LPFM|last=Fybush|first=Scott|date=January 28, 2000|work=North East RadioWatch|access-date=August 26, 2008}}</ref>
In 1999, the employee group sold the WKXL stations to Vox Media,<ref name="nerw-wkxlsimulcastsale">{{cite news|url=http://www.bostonradio.org/nerw/nerw-990402.html|title=The Eagle Has Crash-Landed|last=Fybush|first=Scott|date=April 2, 1999|work=North East RadioWatch|access-date=August 26, 2008}}</ref> who, after buying [[WTPL|WRCI]] (107.7 FM) in nearby [[Hillsborough, New Hampshire|Hillsborough]] several months later, shifted the simulcast to that station;<ref name="nerw-wkxlfmmove">{{cite news|url=http://www.bostonradio.org/nerw/nerw-991226.html|title=Citadel Bulks Up in Worcester|last=Fybush|first=Scott|date=December 26, 1999|work=North East RadioWatch|access-date=August 26, 2008}}</ref> as a result, on January 3, 2000, the station returned to separate programming as a [[Country music|country]] station, WOTX-FM ("Outlaw Country").<ref name="nerw-wotxcalls">{{cite news|url=http://www.bostonradio.org/nerw/nerw-000128.html|title=Welcome Back WMEX, and We Take On LPFM|last=Fybush|first=Scott|date=January 28, 2000|work=North East RadioWatch|access-date=August 26, 2008}}</ref>


==="The Hawk"===
In 2004, Vox sold most of its stations in the area to [[Nassau Broadcasting Partners]];<ref name="nerw-wotxnassau">{{cite web|url=http://www.fybush.com/NERW/2004/040322/nerw.html|title=Vox Sells 10 More to Nassau|last=Fybush|first=Scott|date=March 22, 2004|work=NorthEast Radio Watch|access-date=August 26, 2008}}</ref> however, Nassau could not buy WOTX outright due to [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) ownership restrictions.<ref name="nerw-wwhknotsold">{{cite news|url=http://www.fybush.com/NERW/2008/080407/nerw.html|title=CBS Cutbacks Hit Local TV Staffs|last=Fybush|first=Scott|date=April 7, 2008|work=NorthEast Radio Watch|access-date=August 26, 2008}}</ref> Nassau did take control of the station under a [[local marketing agreement]],<ref name="nerw-wwhknotsold"/> and on February 7, 2005 swapped formats with [[WNHW|WNHI]] (93.3 FM) and became a [[classic rock]] station as WWHK ("102.3 The Hawk"), in tandem with a nearby Nassau classic rock station, [[WWLK-FM|WWHQ]] (101.5 FM) in [[Meredith, New Hampshire]].<ref name="nerw-wwhkswap">{{cite news|url=http://www.fybush.com/NERW/2005/050207/nerw.html|title=Qantum Buys the Cape; Cherry Creek Buys the East End; WSMN Goes Dark|last=Fybush|first=Scott|date=February 7, 2005|work=North East RadioWatch|access-date=August 26, 2008}}</ref>
In 2004, Vox sold most of its stations in the area to [[Nassau Broadcasting Partners]];<ref name="nerw-wotxnassau">{{cite web|url=http://www.fybush.com/NERW/2004/040322/nerw.html|title=Vox Sells 10 More to Nassau|last=Fybush|first=Scott|date=March 22, 2004|work=NorthEast Radio Watch|access-date=August 26, 2008}}</ref> however, Nassau could not buy WOTX outright due to [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) ownership restrictions.<ref name="nerw-wwhknotsold">{{cite news|url=http://www.fybush.com/NERW/2008/080407/nerw.html|title=CBS Cutbacks Hit Local TV Staffs|last=Fybush|first=Scott|date=April 7, 2008|work=NorthEast Radio Watch|access-date=August 26, 2008}}</ref> Nassau did take control of the station under a [[local marketing agreement]],<ref name="nerw-wwhknotsold"/> and on February 7, 2005 swapped formats with [[WNHW|WNHI]] (93.3 FM) and became a [[classic rock]] station as WWHK ("102.3 The Hawk"), in tandem with a nearby Nassau classic rock station, [[WWLK-FM|WWHQ]] (101.5 FM) in [[Meredith, New Hampshire]].<ref name="nerw-wwhkswap">{{cite news|url=http://www.fybush.com/NERW/2005/050207/nerw.html|title=Qantum Buys the Cape; Cherry Creek Buys the East End; WSMN Goes Dark|last=Fybush|first=Scott|date=February 7, 2005|work=North East RadioWatch|access-date=August 26, 2008}}</ref>


WWHK had planned to drop the classic rock format in favor of [[sports talk]] provided by [[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]]'s [[WEEI (AM)|WEEI]] in January 2008,<ref>{{cite press release |title=Nassau Broadcasting Brings A Championship To New Hampshire |publisher=[[Nassau Broadcasting Partners]] |date=October 26, 2007 |url=http://www.nassauholdings.com/NassauPressCenter/pressreleases/pr_07_102607.htm }}</ref> but the deal between Nassau and [[Entercom]] ended up collapsing.<ref>{{cite news |title=Entercom-Nassau Deal Falls Through |url=http://www.radioink.com/HeadlineEntry.asp?hid=140600&pt=todaysnews |work=Radio Ink |date=January 4, 2008 |access-date=January 7, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209192656/http://www.radioink.com/HeadlineEntry.asp?hid=140600&pt=todaysnews |archive-date=February 9, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In March 2008, the station shifted from classic rock to a more mainstream [[rock music|rock]] format.
WWHK had planned to drop the classic rock format in favor of [[sports talk]] provided by [[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]]'s [[WEEI (AM)|WEEI]] in January 2008,<ref>{{cite press release |title=Nassau Broadcasting Brings A Championship To New Hampshire |publisher=[[Nassau Broadcasting Partners]] |date=October 26, 2007 |url=http://www.nassauholdings.com/NassauPressCenter/pressreleases/pr_07_102607.htm }}</ref> but the deal between Nassau and [[Entercom]] ended up collapsing.<ref>{{cite news |title=Entercom-Nassau Deal Falls Through |url=http://www.radioink.com/HeadlineEntry.asp?hid=140600&pt=todaysnews |work=Radio Ink |date=January 4, 2008 |access-date=January 7, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209192656/http://www.radioink.com/HeadlineEntry.asp?hid=140600&pt=todaysnews |archive-date=February 9, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In March 2008, the station shifted from classic rock to a more mainstream [[rock music|rock]] format.


===Ownership limbo===
However, in September 2006, the FCC ruled that local marketing agreements and joint sales agreements counted towards the operator's ownership count in a market.<ref name="radioink-wwhkjsaend">{{cite news|url=http://www.radioink.com/HeadlineEntry.asp?hid=143148&pt=todaysnews|title=FCC Denies Waiver Bid, Rules Nassau Must End JSA|date=August 12, 2008|work=Radio Ink|access-date=August 26, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228022757/http://www.radioink.com/HeadlineEntry.asp?hid=143148&pt=todaysnews|archive-date=December 28, 2013|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Initially, Nassau continued to operate WWHK in violation of this ruling as it attempted to obtain a waiver to buy WWHK outright, but the FCC ruled in April 2008 that Nassau had worked with [[Arbitron]] to create a Concord radio market, and barred its purchase of WWHK.<ref name="nerw-wwhknotsold"/> Four months later, the FCC ordered Nassau to terminate the joint sales agreement with Capitol Broadcasting (the Vox Media subsidiary that continued to hold the WWHK license while Nassau ran the station).<ref name="radioink-wwhkjsaend"/> Nassau complied, and on August 22, 2008, Vox reassumed control of the station with a commercial-free rock format.<ref name="nerw-temprock">{{cite web|url=http://www.fybush.com/NERW/2008/080825/nerw.html|title=Atlantic Coast, Nassau Shake Up Maine|last=Fybush|first=Scott|date=August 25, 2008|work=NorthEast Radio Watch|access-date=August 26, 2008}}</ref> The station switched to [[classical music]] in September 2008;<ref name="nerw-tempclassical">{{cite news|url=http://www.fybush.com/NERW/2008/080908/nerw.html|title="Now" Time at Philly's WJJZ|last=Fybush|first=Scott|date=September 8, 2008|work=NorthEast Radio Watch|access-date=September 30, 2008}}</ref> soon afterwards, the station went silent.<ref name="nerw-wwhksilent">{{cite news|url=http://www.fybush.com/NERW/2008/080929/nerw.html|title=Scranton's Ron Allen Dies|last=Fybush|first=Scott|date=September 29, 2008|work=NorthEast Radio Watch|access-date=September 30, 2008}}</ref>
In September 2006, the FCC ruled that local marketing agreements and joint sales agreements counted towards the operator's ownership count in a market.<ref name="radioink-wwhkjsaend">{{cite news|url=http://www.radioink.com/HeadlineEntry.asp?hid=143148&pt=todaysnews|title=FCC Denies Waiver Bid, Rules Nassau Must End JSA|date=August 12, 2008|work=Radio Ink|access-date=August 26, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228022757/http://www.radioink.com/HeadlineEntry.asp?hid=143148&pt=todaysnews|archive-date=December 28, 2013|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Initially, Nassau continued to operate WWHK in violation of this ruling as it attempted to obtain a waiver to buy WWHK outright, but the FCC ruled in April 2008 that Nassau had worked with [[Arbitron]] to create a Concord radio market, and barred its purchase of WWHK.<ref name="nerw-wwhknotsold"/> Four months later, the FCC ordered Nassau to terminate the joint sales agreement with Capitol Broadcasting (the Vox Media subsidiary that continued to hold the WWHK license while Nassau ran the station).<ref name="radioink-wwhkjsaend"/> Nassau complied, and on August 22, 2008, Vox reassumed control of the station with a commercial-free rock format.<ref name="nerw-temprock">{{cite web|url=http://www.fybush.com/NERW/2008/080825/nerw.html|title=Atlantic Coast, Nassau Shake Up Maine|last=Fybush|first=Scott|date=August 25, 2008|work=NorthEast Radio Watch|access-date=August 26, 2008}}</ref> The station switched to [[classical music]] in September 2008;<ref name="nerw-tempclassical">{{cite news|url=http://www.fybush.com/NERW/2008/080908/nerw.html|title="Now" Time at Philly's WJJZ|last=Fybush|first=Scott|date=September 8, 2008|work=NorthEast Radio Watch|access-date=September 30, 2008}}</ref> soon afterwards, the station went silent.<ref name="nerw-wwhksilent">{{cite news|url=http://www.fybush.com/NERW/2008/080929/nerw.html|title=Scranton's Ron Allen Dies|last=Fybush|first=Scott|date=September 29, 2008|work=NorthEast Radio Watch|access-date=September 30, 2008}}</ref>


Vox reached a deal to sell WWHK to Andrew Sumereau in 2009.<ref name="cm-wwhksumereau">{{cite news|url=http://www.cmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090321/FRONTPAGE/903210342|title=Off-air station purchased; future unclear |last=Hanna|first=Maddie|date=March 21, 2009|work=[[Concord Monitor]]|access-date=March 21, 2009}}</ref> In the interim, Vox returned the station to the air in July, again airing a classic rock loop.<ref name="nerw-wwhkreturn">{{cite news|url=http://www.fybush.com/NERW/2009/090727/nerw.html|title=Whither Pulse?|last=Fybush|first=Scott|date=July 27, 2009|work=NorthEast Radio Watch|access-date=July 27, 2009}}</ref> In April 2010, the station began simulcasting WTPL (the former WRCI and second WKXL-FM).<ref>http://boards.radio-info.com/smf/index.php?topic=165514.0 WTPL on WWHK</ref> The sale to Sumereau's company, Birch Broadcasting, was finally completed on June 22, 2011; a week earlier, Vox temporarily signed WWHK off once more.<ref name=fcc-wwhkdarkagain>{{cite web|last=Sumereau|first=Andrew T.|title=Notification of Suspension of Operations / Request for Silent STA|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1433122&Service=FM&Form_id=910&Facility_id=8683|date=June 24, 2011|work=CDBS Public Access|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=June 30, 2011}}</ref> Birch returned the station to the air on June 15, 2012<ref name=fcc-wwhkreturn2012>{{cite web|title=Resumption of Operations|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1504522&Form_id=910&Facility_id=8683|work=CDBS Public Access|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=May 2, 2014|date=June 15, 2012}}</ref> (after an earlier return on June 8<ref name=fcc-wwhkbriefreturn2012>{{cite web|title=Resumption of Operations|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1503704&Form_id=910&Facility_id=8683|work=CDBS Public Access|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=May 2, 2014|date=June 8, 2012}}</ref> was ended three days later due to the station's tower not being grounded to safely handle [[lightning strike]]s<ref name=fcc-wwhknogrounding>{{cite web|title=Notification of Suspension of Operations / Request for Silent STA|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1503946&Service=FM&Form_id=910&Facility_id=8683|work=CDBS Public Access|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=May 2, 2014|date=June 11, 2012}}</ref>). For nearly two years, 24 hours a day, the station aired rock songs performed in classical style by the group known as the [[Vitamin String Quartet]],<ref name=nhpr-wwhkvsq>{{cite news|last=Lavoie|first=Rebecca|title=From Classic Rock to Classical Pop|url=http://nhpr.org/post/classic-rock-classical-pop-0|access-date=May 2, 2014|newspaper=[[New Hampshire Public Radio]]|date=August 8, 2012}}</ref>
Vox reached a deal to sell WWHK to Andrew Sumereau in 2009.<ref name="cm-wwhksumereau">{{cite news|url=http://www.cmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090321/FRONTPAGE/903210342|title=Off-air station purchased; future unclear |last=Hanna|first=Maddie|date=March 21, 2009|work=[[Concord Monitor]]|access-date=March 21, 2009}}</ref> In the interim, Vox returned the station to the air in July, again airing a classic rock loop.<ref name="nerw-wwhkreturn">{{cite news|url=http://www.fybush.com/NERW/2009/090727/nerw.html|title=Whither Pulse?|last=Fybush|first=Scott|date=July 27, 2009|work=NorthEast Radio Watch|access-date=July 27, 2009}}</ref> In April 2010, the station began simulcasting WTPL (the former WRCI and second WKXL-FM).<ref>http://boards.radio-info.com/smf/index.php?topic=165514.0 WTPL on WWHK</ref> The sale to Sumereau's company, Birch Broadcasting, was finally completed on June 22, 2011; a week earlier, Vox temporarily signed WWHK off once more.<ref name=fcc-wwhkdarkagain>{{cite web|last=Sumereau|first=Andrew T.|title=Notification of Suspension of Operations / Request for Silent STA|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1433122&Service=FM&Form_id=910&Facility_id=8683|date=June 24, 2011|work=CDBS Public Access|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=June 30, 2011}}</ref> Birch returned the station to the air on June 15, 2012<ref name=fcc-wwhkreturn2012>{{cite web|title=Resumption of Operations|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1504522&Form_id=910&Facility_id=8683|work=CDBS Public Access|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=May 2, 2014|date=June 15, 2012}}</ref> (after an earlier return on June 8<ref name=fcc-wwhkbriefreturn2012>{{cite web|title=Resumption of Operations|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1503704&Form_id=910&Facility_id=8683|work=CDBS Public Access|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=May 2, 2014|date=June 8, 2012}}</ref> was ended three days later due to the station's tower not being grounded to safely handle [[lightning strike]]s<ref name=fcc-wwhknogrounding>{{cite web|title=Notification of Suspension of Operations / Request for Silent STA|url=http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/prefill_and_display.pl?Application_id=1503946&Service=FM&Form_id=910&Facility_id=8683|work=CDBS Public Access|publisher=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|access-date=May 2, 2014|date=June 11, 2012}}</ref>). For nearly two years, 24 hours a day, the station aired rock songs performed in classical style by the group known as the [[Vitamin String Quartet]],<ref name=nhpr-wwhkvsq>{{cite news|last=Lavoie|first=Rebecca|title=From Classic Rock to Classical Pop|url=http://nhpr.org/post/classic-rock-classical-pop-0|access-date=May 2, 2014|newspaper=[[New Hampshire Public Radio]]|date=August 8, 2012}}</ref>


===A "River" in Concord===
In early 2014, Steven Silberberg's Northeast Broadcasting reached a deal to purchase WWHK from Birch Broadcasting.<ref name=ri-wwhkvsqtoriver/> Northeast took control of the station through a local marketing agreement on April 1;<ref name=ri-wwhkvsqtoriver/> soon thereafter, WWHK began broadcasting commercial-free selections from [[Andover, Massachusetts]] sister station [[WXRV]]'s "River Music Hall" performances.<ref name=cm-wxrvonwwhk>{{cite news|last=Doyle|first=Megan|title=92.5 the River begins simulcast on Concord station|url=http://www.concordmonitor.com/home/11760937-95/925-the-river-begins-simulcast-on-concord-station|access-date=May 2, 2014|newspaper=[[Concord Monitor]]|date=May 1, 2014}}</ref> On May 2, 2014, WWHK began simulcasting WXRV.<ref name=ri-wwhkvsqtoriver>[http://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/88283/wwhk-concord-nh-sold/ WWHK Concord Begins WXRV Simulcast]</ref> However, the station broadcasts separate news, weather, and advertising.<ref name=ri-wwhkvsqtoriver/><ref name=cm-wxrvonwwhk/> WXRV's programming was already available in portions of the Concord-[[Lakes Region (New Hampshire)|Lakes Region]] market through [[WLKC]] (105.7 FM) in [[Campton, New Hampshire|Campton]];<ref name=cm-wxrvonwwhk/> WWHK is located between the coverage areas of WXRV and WLKC.<ref name=ri-wwhkvsqtoriver/> The sale to licensee Devon Broadcasting Company, Inc., at a price of $425,000, was consummated on June 19, 2014. On March 28, 2016, WWHK changed its call letters to WXRG.
In early 2014, Steven Silberberg's Northeast Broadcasting reached a deal to purchase WWHK from Birch Broadcasting.<ref name=ri-wwhkvsqtoriver/> Northeast took control of the station through a local marketing agreement on April 1;<ref name=ri-wwhkvsqtoriver/> soon thereafter, WWHK began broadcasting commercial-free selections from [[Andover, Massachusetts]] sister station [[WXRV]]'s "River Music Hall" performances.<ref name=cm-wxrvonwwhk>{{cite news|last=Doyle|first=Megan|title=92.5 the River begins simulcast on Concord station|url=http://www.concordmonitor.com/home/11760937-95/925-the-river-begins-simulcast-on-concord-station|access-date=May 2, 2014|newspaper=[[Concord Monitor]]|date=May 1, 2014}}</ref> On May 2, 2014, WWHK began simulcasting WXRV.<ref name=ri-wwhkvsqtoriver>[http://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/88283/wwhk-concord-nh-sold/ WWHK Concord Begins WXRV Simulcast]</ref> However, the station broadcasts separate news, weather, and advertising.<ref name=ri-wwhkvsqtoriver/><ref name=cm-wxrvonwwhk/> WXRV's programming was already available in portions of the Concord-[[Lakes Region (New Hampshire)|Lakes Region]] market through [[WLKC]] (105.7 FM) in [[Campton, New Hampshire|Campton]];<ref name=cm-wxrvonwwhk/> WWHK is located between the coverage areas of WXRV and WLKC.<ref name=ri-wwhkvsqtoriver/> The sale to licensee Devon Broadcasting Company, Inc., at a price of $425,000, was consummated on June 19, 2014. On March 28, 2016, WWHK changed its call letters to WXRG.


The [[Educational Media Foundation]] acquired WXRG and WLKC from Devon Broadcasting Corporation in 2020, as part of its sale of three New Hampshire FMs to the Christian broadcaster.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jacobson |first=Adam |date=2020-08-27 |title=EMF Bolsters Its Presence In New England With Dual Deals |language=en-US |work=Radio & Television Business Report |url=https://www.rbr.com/emf-bolsters-its-presence-in-new-england-with-dual-deals/ |access-date=2021-02-12}}</ref> The call letters in Concord changed to WAKC on January 6, 2021, coincident with the consummation of the sale.
The [[Educational Media Foundation]] acquired WXRG and WLKC from Devon Broadcasting Corporation in 2020, as part of its sale of three New Hampshire FMs to the Christian broadcaster.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jacobson |first=Adam |date=2020-08-27 |title=EMF Bolsters Its Presence In New England With Dual Deals |language=en-US |work=Radio & Television Business Report |url=https://www.rbr.com/emf-bolsters-its-presence-in-new-england-with-dual-deals/ |access-date=2021-02-12}}</ref> The call letters in Concord changed to WAKC on January 6, 2021, coincident with the consummation of the sale.


==WLKC ("''105.7 The River''")==
==WLKC==
'''WLKC''' (105.7 FM), licensed to [[Campton, New Hampshire]] has simulcast [[WXRV]] since 1999. For a brief time during 2012–13, the station was programmed separately (though retaining the "''River''" branding and AAA format), before returning to the [[WXRV]] simulcast. In 2014, Northeast Broadcasting acquired a second New Hampshire station, WWHK (102.3 FM) in [[Concord, New Hampshire|Concord]]; that station began broadcasting [[WXRV]] programming on May 2, 2014, though WWHK broadcast separate news, weather, and advertising.<ref name="ri-wwhkvsqtoriver"/><ref name=cm-wxrvonwwhk/> Later that month, [[WXRV]] added a translator in [[Needham, Massachusetts]], W243DC (96.5 FM).
'''WLKC''' (105.7 FM), licensed to [[Campton, New Hampshire]] has simulcast [[WXRV]] since 1999. For a brief time during 2012–13, the station was programmed separately (though retaining the "''River''" branding and AAA format), before returning to the [[WXRV]] simulcast. In 2014, Northeast Broadcasting acquired a second New Hampshire station, WWHK (102.3 FM) in [[Concord, New Hampshire|Concord]]; that station began broadcasting [[WXRV]] programming on May 2, 2014, though WWHK broadcast separate news, weather, and advertising.<ref name="ri-wwhkvsqtoriver"/><ref name=cm-wxrvonwwhk/> Later that month, [[WXRV]] added a translator in [[Needham, Massachusetts]], W243DC (96.5 FM).

==See also==
* [[WXRV]] — 92.5 FM, "River" flagship station, licensed to [[Andover, Massachusetts]]


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 00:11, 20 February 2023

For other stations which have held the WXRG call sign, see WXRG (disambiguation). For the TV station in Ohio that used this call sign from 1986 to 1998, see WVPX-TV.
WAKC/WLKC
Broadcast areaWAKC: Manchester-Concord area
WLKC: White Mountains and Lakes Region
FrequencyWAKC: 102.3 MHz
WLKC: 105.7 MHz
BrandingK-Love
Programming
FormatContemporary Christian music
NetworkK-Love
Ownership
OwnerEducational Media Foundation
History
First air date
WAKC: March 7, 1972 (as WKXL-FM)
WLKC: May 1996[1]
Former call signs
WAKC: WKXL-FM (1972–2000)
WOTX-FM (2000–2005)
WWHK (2005–2016)
WXRG (2016-2021)
WLKC:
WVFM (1996–2005)
WUSX (2005)
Technical information
Facility IDWAKC: 8683
WLKC: 72211
ClassWAKC: A
WLKC: A
ERPWAKC: 3,000 watts
WLKC: 4,100 watts
HAATWAKC: 87 meters (285 ft)
WLKC: 119 meters (390 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
WAKC: 43°13′0.0″N 71°34′34.0″W / 43.216667°N 71.576111°W / 43.216667; -71.576111 (WAKC)
WLKC: 43°45′45″N 71°39′0″W / 43.76250°N 71.65000°W / 43.76250; -71.65000 (WLKC)
Links
Websiteklove.com

WAKC (102.3 FM) is an American licensed radio station in Concord, New Hampshire. The station is owned by the Educational Media Foundation and is part of its K-Love network of contemporary Christian music outlets.

History

Early years

The station began operations March 7, 1972[2] as WKXL-FM, the FM sister station to WKXL (1450 AM), under the ownership of Frank Estes, who also owned WKXR in Exeter, New Hampshire.[3] In 1980, Estes sold the WKXL stations to a group of station employees.

The Music Zone

WKXL-FM, 102.3 FM DJs, 1989

The 102.3 FM signal was largely a repeater of the 1450 AM news-talk broadcast until 1986 when the owners launched a "light alternative" adult album alternative format.[4] The format was led by Program Director Renee Blake, Production Director Taft Moore, on-air talent including Dave Doud, Julia Figueras, Norm Beeker, and Jay Dreves,[5] and featured artists such as The Cure, Poi Dog Pondering, 10,000 Maniacs, The Pixies, The Call, and U2.[6] The station won recognition, Best of the Best, in 1990 from the National Association of Broadcasters for community service with their This Island Earth promotion that focused on environmental awareness with on-air and "in-field" activities.[7] The Music Zone format continued until 1991 when financial pressures returned the FM signal to a simulcast of the AM broadcast.[8]

"Outlaw" country

In 1999, the employee group sold the WKXL stations to Vox Media,[9] who, after buying WRCI (107.7 FM) in nearby Hillsborough several months later, shifted the simulcast to that station;[10] as a result, on January 3, 2000, the station returned to separate programming as a country station, WOTX-FM ("Outlaw Country").[11]

"The Hawk"

In 2004, Vox sold most of its stations in the area to Nassau Broadcasting Partners;[12] however, Nassau could not buy WOTX outright due to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ownership restrictions.[13] Nassau did take control of the station under a local marketing agreement,[13] and on February 7, 2005 swapped formats with WNHI (93.3 FM) and became a classic rock station as WWHK ("102.3 The Hawk"), in tandem with a nearby Nassau classic rock station, WWHQ (101.5 FM) in Meredith, New Hampshire.[14]

WWHK had planned to drop the classic rock format in favor of sports talk provided by Boston's WEEI in January 2008,[15] but the deal between Nassau and Entercom ended up collapsing.[16] In March 2008, the station shifted from classic rock to a more mainstream rock format.

Ownership limbo

In September 2006, the FCC ruled that local marketing agreements and joint sales agreements counted towards the operator's ownership count in a market.[17] Initially, Nassau continued to operate WWHK in violation of this ruling as it attempted to obtain a waiver to buy WWHK outright, but the FCC ruled in April 2008 that Nassau had worked with Arbitron to create a Concord radio market, and barred its purchase of WWHK.[13] Four months later, the FCC ordered Nassau to terminate the joint sales agreement with Capitol Broadcasting (the Vox Media subsidiary that continued to hold the WWHK license while Nassau ran the station).[17] Nassau complied, and on August 22, 2008, Vox reassumed control of the station with a commercial-free rock format.[18] The station switched to classical music in September 2008;[19] soon afterwards, the station went silent.[20]

Vox reached a deal to sell WWHK to Andrew Sumereau in 2009.[21] In the interim, Vox returned the station to the air in July, again airing a classic rock loop.[22] In April 2010, the station began simulcasting WTPL (the former WRCI and second WKXL-FM).[23] The sale to Sumereau's company, Birch Broadcasting, was finally completed on June 22, 2011; a week earlier, Vox temporarily signed WWHK off once more.[24] Birch returned the station to the air on June 15, 2012[25] (after an earlier return on June 8[26] was ended three days later due to the station's tower not being grounded to safely handle lightning strikes[27]). For nearly two years, 24 hours a day, the station aired rock songs performed in classical style by the group known as the Vitamin String Quartet,[28]

A "River" in Concord

In early 2014, Steven Silberberg's Northeast Broadcasting reached a deal to purchase WWHK from Birch Broadcasting.[29] Northeast took control of the station through a local marketing agreement on April 1;[29] soon thereafter, WWHK began broadcasting commercial-free selections from Andover, Massachusetts sister station WXRV's "River Music Hall" performances.[30] On May 2, 2014, WWHK began simulcasting WXRV.[29] However, the station broadcasts separate news, weather, and advertising.[29][30] WXRV's programming was already available in portions of the Concord-Lakes Region market through WLKC (105.7 FM) in Campton;[30] WWHK is located between the coverage areas of WXRV and WLKC.[29] The sale to licensee Devon Broadcasting Company, Inc., at a price of $425,000, was consummated on June 19, 2014. On March 28, 2016, WWHK changed its call letters to WXRG.

The Educational Media Foundation acquired WXRG and WLKC from Devon Broadcasting Corporation in 2020, as part of its sale of three New Hampshire FMs to the Christian broadcaster.[31] The call letters in Concord changed to WAKC on January 6, 2021, coincident with the consummation of the sale.

WLKC

WLKC (105.7 FM), licensed to Campton, New Hampshire has simulcast WXRV since 1999. For a brief time during 2012–13, the station was programmed separately (though retaining the "River" branding and AAA format), before returning to the WXRV simulcast. In 2014, Northeast Broadcasting acquired a second New Hampshire station, WWHK (102.3 FM) in Concord; that station began broadcasting WXRV programming on May 2, 2014, though WWHK broadcast separate news, weather, and advertising.[29][30] Later that month, WXRV added a translator in Needham, Massachusetts, W243DC (96.5 FM).

References

  1. ^ Fybush, Scott (May 21, 1996). "New England RadioWatch". Retrieved December 28, 2011.
  2. ^ Broadcasting/Cablecasting Yearbook 1989 (PDF). 1989. p. B-188. Retrieved April 5, 2010.
  3. ^ "NHAB Alumni: Frank Estes". New Hampshire Association of Broadcasters. October 28, 2001. Retrieved August 26, 2008.
  4. ^ "Is 92.5 FM 'The River' Coming to Concord?". Concord, NH Patch. April 6, 2014.
  5. ^ https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Album-Netwok-IDX/IDX/Album-Network-1989-09-13-OCR-Page-0009.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  6. ^ https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Gavin-IDX/IDX/80s/89/Gavin-Report-1989-07-09-OCR-Page-0038.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  7. ^ "This Island Earth". mediaeyequerevised.
  8. ^ https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RandR-IDX/IDX/90s/91/RR-1991-01-11-OCR-Page-0028.pdf [bare URL PDF]
  9. ^ Fybush, Scott (April 2, 1999). "The Eagle Has Crash-Landed". North East RadioWatch. Retrieved August 26, 2008.
  10. ^ Fybush, Scott (December 26, 1999). "Citadel Bulks Up in Worcester". North East RadioWatch. Retrieved August 26, 2008.
  11. ^ Fybush, Scott (January 28, 2000). "Welcome Back WMEX, and We Take On LPFM". North East RadioWatch. Retrieved August 26, 2008.
  12. ^ Fybush, Scott (March 22, 2004). "Vox Sells 10 More to Nassau". NorthEast Radio Watch. Retrieved August 26, 2008.
  13. ^ a b c Fybush, Scott (April 7, 2008). "CBS Cutbacks Hit Local TV Staffs". NorthEast Radio Watch. Retrieved August 26, 2008.
  14. ^ Fybush, Scott (February 7, 2005). "Qantum Buys the Cape; Cherry Creek Buys the East End; WSMN Goes Dark". North East RadioWatch. Retrieved August 26, 2008.
  15. ^ "Nassau Broadcasting Brings A Championship To New Hampshire" (Press release). Nassau Broadcasting Partners. October 26, 2007.
  16. ^ "Entercom-Nassau Deal Falls Through". Radio Ink. January 4, 2008. Archived from the original on February 9, 2012. Retrieved January 7, 2008.
  17. ^ a b "FCC Denies Waiver Bid, Rules Nassau Must End JSA". Radio Ink. August 12, 2008. Archived from the original on December 28, 2013. Retrieved August 26, 2008.
  18. ^ Fybush, Scott (August 25, 2008). "Atlantic Coast, Nassau Shake Up Maine". NorthEast Radio Watch. Retrieved August 26, 2008.
  19. ^ Fybush, Scott (September 8, 2008). ""Now" Time at Philly's WJJZ". NorthEast Radio Watch. Retrieved September 30, 2008.
  20. ^ Fybush, Scott (September 29, 2008). "Scranton's Ron Allen Dies". NorthEast Radio Watch. Retrieved September 30, 2008.
  21. ^ Hanna, Maddie (March 21, 2009). "Off-air station purchased; future unclear". Concord Monitor. Retrieved March 21, 2009.
  22. ^ Fybush, Scott (July 27, 2009). "Whither Pulse?". NorthEast Radio Watch. Retrieved July 27, 2009.
  23. ^ http://boards.radio-info.com/smf/index.php?topic=165514.0 WTPL on WWHK
  24. ^ Sumereau, Andrew T. (June 24, 2011). "Notification of Suspension of Operations / Request for Silent STA". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
  25. ^ "Resumption of Operations". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. June 15, 2012. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  26. ^ "Resumption of Operations". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. June 8, 2012. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  27. ^ "Notification of Suspension of Operations / Request for Silent STA". CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. June 11, 2012. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  28. ^ Lavoie, Rebecca (August 8, 2012). "From Classic Rock to Classical Pop". New Hampshire Public Radio. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  29. ^ a b c d e f WWHK Concord Begins WXRV Simulcast
  30. ^ a b c d Doyle, Megan (May 1, 2014). "92.5 the River begins simulcast on Concord station". Concord Monitor. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  31. ^ Jacobson, Adam (2020-08-27). "EMF Bolsters Its Presence In New England With Dual Deals". Radio & Television Business Report. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
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