WQFM (FM)

WQFM (92.1 FM, "QFM") is a radio station licensed to Nanticoke, Pennsylvania. Owned by Times-Shamrock Communications, it broadcasts a hot adult contemporary format serving the Wilkes-Barre-Scranton area.

WQFM
Broadcast areaScranton/Wilkes-Barre
Frequency92.1 MHz
BrandingQFM
Programming
FormatHot adult contemporary
Ownership
OwnerTimes-Shamrock Communications
History
First air date
October 31, 1973 (1973-10-31)
Former call signs
WMJW (1973-1988)
WEAY (1988-1994)
WTZR (1994-1996)
WQFM (1996-2010)
WFUZ (2010-2020)[1]
Call sign meaning
Heritage call letters originally used by Milwaukee sister station WLDB
Technical information
Facility ID66366
ClassA
ERP660 watts
HAAT303 meters (994 ft)
Translator(s)See § Translators
Repeater(s)100.1 WQFN (Forest City)
106.9 WEZX-HD2 (Scranton)
Links
WebcastListen Live
Websiteq92nepa.com

History

WMJW, WEAY, WTZR

On October 31, 1973, the station signed on the air as WMJW.[2] It was owned by Thunder Broadcasting and carried an automated adult contemporary format. In 1988, it changed its call sign to WEAY and switched again in 1994 to WTZR.

WQFM Oldies

The call letters became WQFM in 1996. It played oldies of the 1960s and 70s, known as "Oldies 92 and 100", then switched to Hot Adult Contemporary, branded as QFM and later The Q. On June 30, 2008, the station dropped the Hot AC format and began playing music exclusively from The Beatles. On July 3, 2008, the station switched back to an oldies format, branded as "Cool 92.1 and 100.1".

In addition, it was the flagship station of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins minor league hockey team until 2009. Tom Grace was the play-by-play announcer for the "Baby Pens" for the majority of the franchise's existence prior to the 2007–2008 season, when former local TV weatherman Scott Stuccio replaced him.

WFUZ Alternative Rock

On September 16, 2010, WQFM changed its format to alternative rock, branded as FM 92.1 and changed its call letters to WFUZ. It later began simulcasting the sports radio format, including ESPN Radio, from co-owned AM 630 WEJL. WFUZ returned to alternative rock as Fuzz 92.1 on September 19, 2012.[3] It switched its branding to Alt 92.1 on February 25, 2017.[4]

The station each summer held a small concert at the Toyota Pavilion at Montage Mountain in Scranton, beginning in 2013. It was known as Fuzz Fest, showcasing local and nation bands, especially groups that were looking to break through.[5]

Return to WQFM

On November 4, 2020, WFUZ dropped its alternative rock format and began playing Christmas music. On December 28, 2020, the station flipped to a 90's-leaning hot AC format as Q92.1, reinstating the WQFM calls.[6][7] On November 15, 2021 WQFM began simulcasting on 100.1 WQFN/Forest City, replacing its simulcast of WEJL.[8]

On April 1, 2022, WQFM went jockless and rebranded as QFM. Additionally, the station dropped its focus on 90's hits and segued to a straight hot AC format with current hits.[9]

Translators
Broadcast translators for WEZX-HD2
Call signFrequencyCity of licenseFIDERP (W)HAATClassTransmitter coordinatesFCC info
W241AZ 96.1 FMClarks Summit, Pennsylvania14579085228.5 m (750 ft)D41°28′1″N 75°41′12″W (NAD27)LMS
W274AO 102.7 FMScranton, Pennsylvania143052250−78.3 m (−257 ft)D41°24′34″N 75°40′1″W (NAD27)LMS

References
  1. "WQFM-FM 92.1 MHz - Nanticoke, PA". Retrieved 2023-09-18.
  2. Information from Broadcasting Yearbook 1976 page C-170
  3. Wilkes-Barre Gets Fuzzy
  4. WFUZ Rebrands as Alt 92.1
  5. "92.1 Fuzz Fest". The 570. Retrieved January 31, 2014.
  6. WFUZ Begins Stunting As Christmas 92.1 Radioinsight - November 4, 2020
  7. "Q92.1 Brings 90s And Now To Scranton/Wilkes-Barre". RadioInsight. Retrieved 2022-04-04.
  8. Q92.1 Wilkes-Barre Adds Simulcast On 100.1 Scranton Radioinsight - November 17, 2021
  9. WQFM Rebrands As QFM With Playlist Shift Radioinsight - April 1, 2022

41.186°N 75.859°W / 41.186; -75.859 (WQFM)

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