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103.7 WPKQ

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wpxt

I never heard 103.7 WPKQ when it was Hot AC WZPK The Peak. What was it like and how did it do ratings wise? Any information would be great.
 
I had worked in the North Country when it came on - we were a bit nervous - but it did no harm and back then -there were no Arbitron ratings. We actually worked on great promotions and programming to get results for the clients and to serve the community we were licensed to, so I believe there never was a threat. There were Scarborough reports if we wanted to use them, but nobody ever asked to see them. We never saw any reps in our market which was Ashland and North to Littleton. Had no effect on us (at the time it was WPNH in Plymouth). For music - the Peak was Top 40... for back then ;)
 
The downside of a big signal from Mt. Washington was that it covered a lot of Podunk. I imagine it was a tough sell...not likely a listener in Colebrook was gonna patronize an advertiser in the Lakes region (or vice versa). They always sounded very "canned" to me...jocks oblivious to the fact that they were talking over a song with a cold intro, VT's buried under the music, etc. I remember reading a story in the Union Leader some time in the late 80s claiming they were the first station in N.H. to use automation. Not so sure about that though, WZID was automated in the 70s as was WGIR-FM. Maybe they meant first to use voicetracking.
 
I was working at WMTK in Littleton when "The Peak" debuted. They did come on with a bang on the north and western sides of their signal. This was when what few FM's that were on the air played both kinds of music.. satellite country or western.. So the station had impact in the, "North Country & NEK" . The station's owner, Stephen Powell, had initially invested in a good air staff, jingles, imaging, and a limited commerical inventory concept. The station sounded uncluttered, and perhaps ahead of it's time. The initial rate cards for it made a lot of business people say, "Oh wow !", as in expensive for that part of the market. Business was slow to follow. The music was a very safe "Hot AC". The coverage maps were interesting since Keene (where WKNE 103.7) was noticably omitted from the print. Used to be good hearing Bob Barbin do the news on there in the later years of "The Peak".
 
Does anyone happen to have jingles for 103.7 when they were The Peak. What ended up causing the downfall of WZPK and when did it become OKQ simulcast?
 
it's a simulcast and networked. They have, or had, a sales team selling PKQ in the north country.
They simulcast WOKQ. And I think they still provide some local NC news and info.
Fuller-Jeffery bought ZPK back in the 80's. I think it went dark or was on the verge..
Then Citadel bought Fuller-Jeffery.. Since Fagreed took over your guess is a good as mine to what the future holds.
 
If I remember correctly, they started as Top 40 with Jack O'Brien as PD. Seems like when the next PD came in, they headed more Hoc AC. I think maybe Rob from WCYY worked ther at one time. They sounded like a pretty good Top 40 station for awhile...
 
pocket-radio said:
it's a simulcast and networked. They have, or had, a sales team selling PKQ in the north country.
They simulcast WOKQ. And I think they still provide some local NC news and info.
Fuller-Jeffery bought ZPK back in the 80's. I think it went dark or was on the verge..
Then Citadel bought Fuller-Jeffery..
Click to expand...

It wasn't until the mid-90s (I want to say '96 or '97) that 103.7 became a simulcast of WOKQ.

The present simulcast with split stopsets is very well executed. It's obvious someone is staying on top of things to make sure that split stopsets are timed out exactly. Even the legal IDs are split.
 
Oldbones said:
pocket-radio said:
it's a simulcast and networked. They have, or had, a sales team selling PKQ in the north country.
They simulcast WOKQ. And I think they still provide some local NC news and info.
Fuller-Jeffery bought ZPK back in the 80's. I think it went dark or was on the verge..
Then Citadel bought Fuller-Jeffery..
Click to expand...

It wasn't until the mid-90s (I want to say '96 or '97) that 103.7 became a simulcast of WOKQ.

The present simulcast with split stopsets is very well executed. It's obvious someone is staying on top of things to make sure that split stopsets are timed out exactly. Even the legal IDs are split.
Click to expand...

according to a quick google search briningup one of Fybush's old NERW's it was November of '96 when F-J flipped the simulcast on
 
YES! very well executed regarding stop sets/ID's. They do have salespeople for WPKQ and I heard they're doing well :) WOKQ/WPKQ has a great position in NH - really local NH, news/weather/traffic updates throughout the day, continue with their fleamarket Sunday am - they continue to do it right.
 
With Clear Channel's mass shootings coming on Tuesday, I'd expect Citadel & Fagreed to follow through with the same plan. The stock fell to 21 cents... Expect less local talent and more national programming.
If FJ still ran the show i wouldn't be as worried..
 
jlehmann said:
I don't know about overnights, but WOKQ/WPKQ is not live 7-Midnight anymore.
Click to expand...

Right, right . . that is true .. about a month ago, they laid off the 7p-12a personality and are now running the syndicated "Big Time" with Whitney Allen. Also Saturdays nights syndicated with Whitney Allen and Sunday's 4p-8p American Country Countdown. Overnights are live though.
 
I'm not sure if this is new news...but...

In the Portsmouth/Dover/Rochester market, Director of Sales Ken Hoffman was let go as well as WOKQ/WPKQMiddays Dan Lunnie, Evenings Joyce Danas and on-air Mornings at (The Shark) WSAK/WSHK Rob Connolly. There were other sales cuts as well. A VERY painful holiday surprise for many. Both Danny & Ken were there 20+ years. Evenings will now feature the syndicated 'Big Time' with Whitney Allen.

What a frigging joke! So who's going to be fired next Mark Ericson..

Thanks for nothing fagreed....They'll be more..
 
Interesting conversation, I'm the rep for WPKQ- North Country.... things are going well.... clients are getting results, and listeners are happy. Simulcast with WOKQ, yes, but the commercial inventory is split. The north country clients attract north country listeners..
 
OMG! why does that person have to be so negative?? law of the universe - negative attracts negative.
GOOD for you PKQ rep :D Keep on truckin' ;D
 
ok pocketradio, every party needs a pooper. But, if you decide to change your mind, why not be like one of the MANY great people who beep and wave or stop to chat when the WPKQ vehicle is rolling around the north country.
 
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