WHQG
MHz (HD Radio) | |
Branding | 102.9 The Hog |
---|---|
Programming | |
Format | Active rock |
Subchannels | HD2: WJOI simulcast (Brokered Christian) |
Affiliations | |
Ownership | |
Owner |
|
WJMR-FM, WJOI, WKLH, WRXS | |
History | |
First air date | April 22, 1962 |
Former call signs |
|
Call sign meaning | "HQG" is equivalent to "HOG", for the station's mascot. |
Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
Facility ID | 36372 |
Class | B |
ERP | 50,000 watts |
HAAT | 130 meters (430 ft) |
Links | |
Public license information | |
Webcast | Listen Live |
Website | 1029thehog.com |
WHQG (102.9
WHQG is a
History
Top 40 and Soft AC (1962–1972)
The station
In 1971, 102.9 split from the simulcast, becoming WFWO (For Women Only).
Country (1972–1987)
The station flipped to country music on October 1, 1972. The call letters were changed to WBCS.[4] WBCS found success with the format, as the only country station in the market at the time.
Rival country outlet WMIL had switched to Top 40 as WZUU the year before. Before it returned to its country sound in 1983, putting WMIL and WBCS in competition for Milwaukee country music fans.
Mainstream rock (1987–2005)
On February 16, 1987, WBCS's country format ended. FM 102.9 became "Lazer 103" WLZR with a mainstream rock format.[5][6] Lazer 103 dominated the album-oriented rock market. Competing station 93.3 WQFM switched to smooth jazz in 1996.
WLZR's longtime morning show of
During Lazer 103's last few years, the aging audience of Bob and Brian's show was at odds with the station's younger-skewing active rock format the rest of the day. Also in 2004,
Hard-edged classic rock (2005–present)
On August 15, 2005, WLZR started
The new slogan was "Everything That Rocks." The station served as a harder rocking counterpart to its classic rock sister, 96.5 WKLH. Another slogan used to help change the station's image was "Not Just the 80's, Everything That Rocks". The results of the image and playlist changes were immediate. "The Hog" soon eclipsed "The Brew" in the local ratings, eventually hastening the 97.3 FM May 2010 conversion to Top 40 as WRNW.
The Hog's mascot hog was named "Dr. Squealgood" as takeoff of a popular Mötley Crüe song: "Dr. Feelgood". The Hog's success led to Evansville, Wisconsin, station WWHG 105.9 changing its branding to mirror WHQG's.
In recent years, WHQG's format shifted back towards active rock, similar to the former WLZR.
References
- ^ "Facility Technical Data for WHQG". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
- ^ "WHQG-FM 102.9 MHz - Milwaukee, WI". radio-locator.com. Retrieved 2024-01-28.
- ^ "Page 105" (PDF). americanradiohistory.com. Retrieved January 28, 2024.[dead link]
- ^ Inc, Nielsen Business Media (1968-05-25). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.
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has generic name (help) - ^ "RR-1987-02-06" (PDF). americanradiohistory.com. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
- ^ "RR-1987-02-20" (PDF). americanradiohistory.com. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
External links
- 102.9 The Hog official website
- WHQG in the FCC FM station database
- WHQG in Nielsen Audio's FM station database
- Bob and Brian's official website
- Milwaukee radio: a retrospective
- "Lazer 103 to change music format" (JSonline.com)
- "The Hog offers no sentiment for Lazer" (JSonline.com)