WBQX
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = WBQX
| logo = WBQX 106.9 Frank FM logo.png
| logo_size =
| logo_alt =
| caption =
| city = Thomaston, Maine
| country = US
| area = Mid Coast
| branding = 106.9 Frank FM
| frequency = {{Frequency|106.9|MHz}}
| translator =
| repeater =
| airdate = {{Start date|1992|05|29}}
| last_airdate =
| format = Classic hits
| language =
| erp = 29,500 watts
| haat = {{convert|193|m|ft|sp=us}}
| class = B
| facility_id = 49564
| licensing_authority = FCC
| coordinates = {{coord|44|6|30.2|N|69|9|26.1|W|region:US-ME_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| callsign_meaning = Station formerly carried WBACH, itself named for Johann Sebastian Bach
| former_callsigns = WAVX (1990–1998)
| former_frequencies =
| affiliations =
| operator =
| owner = Binnie Media
| licensee = WBIN Media Co., Inc.
| sister_stations = WBYA
| webcast =
| website = {{URL|https://1069frank.com}}
}}
WBQX (106.9 FM, "Frank FM") is a radio station broadcasting a classic hits music format. Licensed to Thomaston, Maine, United States, it serves the Mid Coast region. It first began broadcasting in 1992 under the call sign WAVX. The station is owned by Binnie Media. The station's competitor is WBAK in Belfast.
History
The station signed on May 29, 1992, as WAVX, a classical music station owned by Northern Lights Broadcasting{{cite book|title=Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1993|year=1993|pages=B-161–2|url=http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC-YB/1993/B-Radio-AL-MT-BC-YB-1993-B&W.pdf|accessdate=November 12, 2017}} and branded as "The Classical Wave".{{cite news|last1=Fybush|first1=Scott|title=The 1998 Trip Revisited|url=http://www.bostonradio.org/nerw/extra-june98trip.html|accessdate=November 13, 2017|work=North East RadioWatch|date=June 28, 1999}} In 1996, the station began simulcasting on WBYA (101.7 FM, now WKVV) in Searsport, which brought its programming to the Bangor area.{{cite news|last1=Fybush|first1=Scott|title=Meet the New 'FNX...|url=http://www.bostonradio.org/nerw/nerw-961009.html|accessdate=November 13, 2017|work=New England RadioWatch|date=October 9, 1996}} Mariner Broadcasting bought WAVX in 1998{{cite news|last1=Fybush|first1=Scott|title=Lobel Leaves BZ Radio|url=http://www.bostonradio.org/nerw/nerw-980718.html|accessdate=November 13, 2017|work=North East RadioWatch|date=July 18, 1998}} and made it a part of its WBACH network of classical stations under the call letters WBQX.{{cite news|last1=Fybush|first1=Scott|title=Clear Channel Gets Jacor|url=http://www.bostonradio.org/nerw/nerw-981009.html|accessdate=November 13, 2017|work=North East RadioWatch|date=October 9, 1998}} Nassau Broadcasting Partners acquired Mariner in 2004.{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|title=Stations sold|url=http://www.sunjournal.com/node/251502|accessdate=November 4, 2012|newspaper=Sun Journal|date=December 12, 2003}}
Nassau Broadcasting entered bankruptcy in 2011, which culminated in an auction of its stations. Prior to the conclusion of the auction, the Maine Public Broadcasting Network expressed interest in running the WBACH stations.[http://www.downeast.com/media-mutt/2012/april/maine-broadcasting-commercial MPBN Going Commercial?] Al Diamon, Downeast.com, April 23, 2012 As part of the bankruptcy proceeding, WBQX, along with 29 other Nassau-owned northern New England radio stations, went to a partnership of WBIN-TV owner Bill Binnie and Jeff Shapiro; 17 of the stations, including WBQX, were acquired by Binnie's WBIN Media Company.[http://www.downeast.com/media-mutt/2012/may/nassau-maine-stations Nassau’s Maine Stations Split Up] Al Diamon, Downeast.com, May 4, 2012{{cite news|title=Carlisle Capital Corp. Wins Bidding For Rest Of Nassau Stations|url=http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/106283/carlisle-capital-corp-wins-bidding-for-rest-of-nas|accessdate=May 22, 2012|newspaper=All Access|date=May 22, 2012}}{{cite news|last=Venta|first=Lance|title=Nassau Broadcasting Auction Results|url=http://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/57250/nassau-broadcasting-auction-results/|accessdate=May 24, 2012|newspaper=RadioInsight|date=May 22, 2012}} (updated May 23, 2012) The purchase was consummated on November 30, 2012, at a price of $12.5 million.
On August 7, 2012, WBQX was granted a construction permit to increase their ERP to 30,000 watts and to raise their height above sea level up to {{convert|232|m|ft|sp=us|abbr=off}}. The construction permit expired on August 7, 2015.
WBQX ended the classical music format on February 18, 2017; Binnie Media then transferred its classic hits format, branded "Frank FM", from WBYA (105.5 FM),{{cite news|last1=Venta|first1=Lance|title=W-Bach Signs Off In Maine|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/116595/w-bach-signs-off-in-maine/|accessdate=November 13, 2017|work=RadioInsight|date=February 20, 2017}} which changed to country music on February 24.{{cite news|last1=Betts|first1=Stephen|title=Local classical music station shifts to classic hits|url=http://knox.villagesoup.com/p/local-classical-music-station-shifts-to-classic-hits/1626322|accessdate=February 26, 2017|work=Courier-Gazette|date=February 20, 2017}}{{cite news|title=Another Classical Station Comes To An End|url=https://radioink.com/2017/02/20/another-classical-station-comes-end/|accessdate=November 12, 2017|work=Radio Ink|date=February 20, 2017}} Much of the programming on WBQX is supplied by Portland sister station WFNK; the station also began airing coverage of local high school basketball games, which had previously aired on WBYA.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{FM station data|49564|WBQX}}
{{Mid-Coast Maine Radio}}
{{Classic Hits Radio Stations in Maine}}
Category:Radio stations established in 1992