WWQM-FM
{{short description|Radio station in Middleton–Madison, Wisconsin}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox radio station
| name = WWQM-FM
| logo =
| city = Middleton, Wisconsin
| area = Madison, Wisconsin
| branding = Q106
| frequency = 106.3 MHz
| translator =
| repeater =
| airdate = 1970 (as WWQM-FM)
| format = Country
| language =
| erp = 4,500 watts
| haat = 114 meters
| class = A
| facility_id = 19623
| coordinates =
| callsign_meaning = Q-Madison
| former_callsigns = WMAD-FM (1972–1977)
WMAD (1977–1978)
| former_frequencies =
| affiliations = Compass Media Networks
| owner = Mid-West Family Broadcasting
| licensee =
| sister_stations = WHIT, WJJO, WJQM, WLMV, WMGN, WOZN, WRIS-FM
| webcast = [https://player.listenlive.co/72111/ Listen Live]
| website = [http://www.q106.com q106.com]
| licensing_authority= FCC
}}
WWQM-FM (106.3 MHz) is a radio station licensed to Middleton, Wisconsin and serving the Madison area. Owned and operated by Mid-West Family Broadcasting, the station has aired a country music format since 1981.
History
Image:Q106-2007.JPGWWQM signed on in 1970 as WMAD-FM, owned by Hudson Broadcasting.{{Cite web|url= https://cdbs.recnet.com/corres/?doc=83708 |title= History Cards for WWQM-FM|publisher=Federal Communications Commission}} (Guide to reading History Cards) As WMAD-FM, it simulcast with country-formatted WMAD (at 1550 AM, the current WHIT).{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/45537720/|title=FM Voice Is Added By WMAD|page=19|access-date=February 24, 2020|date=January 16, 1971}} "The Country Giant" was an early station slogan, followed by "Music of America." WMAD-AM became WWQM ("15Q") in 1976, running an automated oldies format featured PAMS jingles, while WMAD-FM adopted its own country format, though competitor WTSO continually beat it in the ratings, forcing WMAD-FM to drop Country for Top 40 rock in 1978. WMAD adopted the WWQM call letters in 1978, running a live-assist format using TM Programming Stereo Rock. In mid-1978, the station hadn't reached the high ratings expected and Q106 became a fully automated station. In January 1980, Q106 dropped automation and went live Top 40. This version of Q106 only lasted a short time and a switch to country would follow in 1981.
On November 3, 2008, Q106's reach would expand outside of the immediate Madison area with a simulcast on WWQN at 106.7 FM, a signal that covers Iowa County and far Western portions of Dane County. The 106.7 frequency was previously home to Rhythmic Top 40 station WJQM, which moved to 93.1 FM (and displaced the classic rock-formatted WHLK[http://host.madison.com/news/local/article_a8372b05-bd35-526d-a91e-9f719d559772.html "Station Goes to Hip-Hop"], from madison.com, posted 29 October 2008) to accommodate the Q106 simulcast. WWQN simulcast the programming of WWQM until December 13, 2011, when it moved to a simulcast of talk station WTDY (as WTDY-FM).
The Q106 format was adjusted in July 2009 when new program director John Sebastian instituted a new "Q106.3" (or simply "The Q"). The adjusted format featured less talk by DJ's and more music. The playlist was also broadened to include vintage country songs and pop and rock songs with crossover appeal.[http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/458153 "Q106 teasing listeners with format change"], from Wisconsin State Journal, July 13, 2009.[http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/biz/458617 "Q106 returns to country format"], from Wisconsin State Journal, July 16, 2009. After Sebastian departed the station in Summer 2011, new program director Fletcher Keyes gradually reversed the format back to contemporary mainstream country.
The station deactivated all of their social media presences on February 18, 2021, shortly after Matthew Bradshaw Jones, who was the station's morning co-host as "Jackson Jones", was arrested for allegations of possessing child pornography.{{cite news|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/205127/madison-morning-host-arrested-on-child-pornography-charge/|title=Madison Morning Host Arrested On Child Pornography Charge|last=Venta|first=Lance|date=18 February 2021|publisher=Radio Insight|accessdate=18 February 2021}}{{cite news|url=https://www.channel3000.com/local-radio-personality-arrested-accused-of-possessing-child-pornography/|title=Local radio personality arrested, accused of possessing child pornography|last=Fryer|first=Stephanie|date=18 February 2020|publisher=WISC-TV|accessdate=18 February 2021}}
Madison Country Music Awards
For more than 20 years (through Fall 2008), WWQM hosted the "Madison Country Music Awards," an annual awards ceremony honoring local and national country artists. The ceremonies, which were popular among the station's Madison audience, featured performances by local and national country acts (including a then-up-and-coming Taylor Swift in 2007) as well as presentations of awards as voted by Q106 listeners (e.g. awards for Entertainer of the Year and Best Local Band). The Madison Country Music Awards were discontinued in 2009 at the time of Q106's format adjustment.
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.q106.com/ The "Q106" official website]
- [https://www.facebook.com/TodaysQ106/ Official WWQM Facebook page]
- [https://twitter.com/TodaysQ106 Q106 Twitter feed]
- {{FM station data|19623|WWQM-FM}}
{{Madison Radio}}
{{Country Radio Stations in Wisconsin}}
{{coord|43.051|N|89.487|W|type:landmark_region:US_source:FCC|display=title}}