WTHK
Encyclopedia
WTHK, known on-air as "The Hawk" was a radio station located at 97.5 FM which had a classic rock
format. Although the station was originally licensed to Trenton, New Jersey
, changing to Burlington, New Jersey
in early 2006, The Hawk targeted the Philadelphia broadcasting area in addition to its own local region. Its transmitter was located in Ewing Township
.
At 6PM EST, on Friday, November 17, 2006, the callsign changed to WJJZ
and the format flipped to smooth jazz
. The station transferred ownership from Nassau Broadcasting to Greater Media
. It is also planned to move the transmitter from Ewing Township
to Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania
, shortly after the flip.
In February 2005, WTHK flipped frequencies with sister station WPST
, moving from 94.5 to 97.5 FM.
The WTHK
calls are now used in Wilmington, Vermont
, on the former WVAY 100.7, a classic rock station owned by Nassau Broadcasting.
, New York, and as far west as Reading, Pennsylvania
.
97.5 became WPST on September 13, 1971. The WPST calls originally stood for "Passport Stereo Trenton," a slogan of the station at the time. WPST is known for its mainstream CHR format, which they've had for many years. Tom Taylor was the PD who launched the format in the mid 1970s, and did mornings on the station until 1987.
In August 1975, owner Herb Hobler hired Phil Gieger as the General Manager. Along with Tom Taylor, they revamped the station and coined the phrase, "From The Shore
To The Poconos
, The Music Is On The FM 97.5 WPST
." They initially established an Adult Rock format, and by the fall of 1975, the station took off and eventually became the number one station in the market.
Some WPST DJs over the years included John Mellon (aka Walt Ballard), Ed Johnson, Doug James, John Brown, Eddie Davis, Trish Merelo, Andy Gury, Brian Douglas, Mel Toxic, Jay Sorensen, Dave Hoeffel, Tom Cunningham, Michelle Stevens, Eric Johnson, Mark Sheppard,Bob Sorrentino,Lee Tobin,Lori Johnson, André Gardner, Phil Simon, Steve Trevelise, Joel Katz, Rich DeSisto and Scott Lowe.
On February 14, 2005, at 5pm, 97.5 "switched" frequencies and formats with 94.5 WTHK. In August 2005, 97.5's city of license was changed from Trenton
to Burlington
. WTHK 97.5 The Hawk signed off the air forever on November 15, 2006 at 7 PM EST. Smooth Jazz WJJZ took over the spot two days later at 6 PM EST. In the meantime, Greater Media
aired a simulcast of WMGK
, The Hawk's one-time competitor, on 97.5. Because WMGK is also a classic rock station, WTHK was ultimately discontinued in favor of WJJZ.
with a religious format. But after 33 years, that changed when Nassau Broadcasting bought the station. November 10, 1997, saw the beginning of things to come when WCHR began to simulcast on 920 AM in Trenton in preparation for a format change. On February 27, 1998, WCHR started stunting with construction sound effects, and on March 2, 1998, 94.5 became "New Jersey's Oldies Station." The WNJO calls were assigned on March 26, 1998. (Some time after that, the WCHR call sign was reassigned to 105.7 in Manahawkin, New Jersey
).
On November 1, 2001, WNJO switched to a classic hits format as "94.5 The Hawk." Calls changed to WTHK on August 1, 2002 - and slowly evolved into a classic rock station. On February 14, 2005, at 5pm, 94.5 "switched" frequencies and formats with 97.5 WPST
.
. Since The Hawk's demise, WMGK is now Mercer and Bucks County's only local classic rock station, though out of market Classic Rock stations such as New York's Q104.3
(WAXQ), The Jerey Shore's 105.7 The Hawk
(WCHR-FM) and Easten's Classic Hits 99.9 The Hawk
(WODE) can still be picked up in parts of this area .
However, WCHR-FM, which as noted above transmits from Manahawkin, New Jersey
, is also named "The Hawk," and carries very similar content. This station is audible, and rather strong, at the eastern edge of the Philadelphia market.
Classic rock
Classic rock is a radio format which developed from the album-oriented rock format in the early 1980s. In the United States, the classic rock format features music ranging generally from the late 1960s to the late 1980s, primarily focusing on the hard rock genre that peaked in popularity in the...
format. Although the station was originally licensed to Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton is the capital of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the county seat of Mercer County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Trenton had a population of 84,913...
, changing to Burlington, New Jersey
Burlington, New Jersey
Burlington is a city in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States and a suburb of Philadelphia. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 9,920....
in early 2006, The Hawk targeted the Philadelphia broadcasting area in addition to its own local region. Its transmitter was located in Ewing Township
Ewing Township, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the 2010 Census, there were 35,790 people, 13,171 households, and 7,980 families residing in the township. There were 13,926 housing units. The racial makeup of the township was 63.1% White, 27.6% African American, 0.3% Native American, 4.3% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 2.2%...
.
At 6PM EST, on Friday, November 17, 2006, the callsign changed to WJJZ
WJJZ
WPEN-FM is a radio station owned by Greater Media. Licensed to Burlington, New Jersey, it currently broadcasts a sports format to the Philadelphia metropolitan area....
and the format flipped to smooth jazz
Smooth jazz
Smooth jazz is a genre of music that grew out of jazz fusion and is influenced by R&B, funk, rock, and pop music styles ....
. The station transferred ownership from Nassau Broadcasting to Greater Media
Greater Media
Greater Media, Inc., known as Greater Media, is an American media company that specializes in radio stations. The markets where they own radio stations include Boston, Detroit, Philadelphia, Charlotte, and the state of New Jersey...
. It is also planned to move the transmitter from Ewing Township
Ewing Township, New Jersey
-Demographics:As of the 2010 Census, there were 35,790 people, 13,171 households, and 7,980 families residing in the township. There were 13,926 housing units. The racial makeup of the township was 63.1% White, 27.6% African American, 0.3% Native American, 4.3% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 2.2%...
to Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania
Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania
Wyndmoor is a census-designated place in Springfield Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, USA. The population was 5,498 at the 2010 census.-Geography:...
, shortly after the flip.
In February 2005, WTHK flipped frequencies with sister station WPST
WPST
WPST is a radio station broadcasting a Top 40 format. Licensed to Trenton, New Jersey, USA, the station serves the Philadelphia, Central Jersey area. The station is currently owned by Nassau Broadcasting Ii, LLC and features programing from Westwood One...
, moving from 94.5 to 97.5 FM.
The WTHK
WTHK
WTHK, known on-air as "The Hawk" was a radio station located at 97.5 FM which had a classic rock format. Although the station was originally licensed to Trenton, New Jersey, changing to Burlington, New Jersey in early 2006, The Hawk targeted the Philadelphia broadcasting area in addition to its own...
calls are now used in Wilmington, Vermont
Wilmington, Vermont
Wilmington is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 2,225 at the 2000 census.-History:The town was chartered in 1751 by Benning Wentworth, colonial governor of New Hampshire. It was named in honor of Spencer Compton, 1st Earl of Wilmington...
, on the former WVAY 100.7, a classic rock station owned by Nassau Broadcasting.
History of 97.5
97.5 started life, initially on January 10, 1949, then officially on April 19, 1949, as WTOA. It was owned by the Mercer Broadcasting Company, which was a wholly owned subsidiary of the Trenton Times newspaper. WTOA started out broadcasting from 3pm to 11pm, with an ERP of 14,500 watts. Its original coverage area reached as far north as BrooklynBrooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York, and as far west as Reading, Pennsylvania
Reading, Pennsylvania
Reading is a city in southeastern Pennsylvania, USA, and seat of Berks County. Reading is the principal city of the Greater Reading Area and had a population of 88,082 as of the 2010 census, making it the fifth most populated city in the state after Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown and Erie,...
.
97.5 became WPST on September 13, 1971. The WPST calls originally stood for "Passport Stereo Trenton," a slogan of the station at the time. WPST is known for its mainstream CHR format, which they've had for many years. Tom Taylor was the PD who launched the format in the mid 1970s, and did mornings on the station until 1987.
In August 1975, owner Herb Hobler hired Phil Gieger as the General Manager. Along with Tom Taylor, they revamped the station and coined the phrase, "From The Shore
Jersey Shore
The Jersey Shore is a term used to refer to both the Atlantic coast of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the adjacent resort and residential communities. . The New Jersey State Department of Tourism considers the Shore Region, Greater Atlantic City, and the Southern Shore to be distinct, each having...
To The Poconos
The Poconos
The Pocono Mountains is a region located in northeastern Pennsylvania, United States. The Poconos, located chiefly in Monroe and Pike counties , are an upland of the larger Allegheny Plateau...
, The Music Is On The FM 97.5 WPST
WPST
WPST is a radio station broadcasting a Top 40 format. Licensed to Trenton, New Jersey, USA, the station serves the Philadelphia, Central Jersey area. The station is currently owned by Nassau Broadcasting Ii, LLC and features programing from Westwood One...
." They initially established an Adult Rock format, and by the fall of 1975, the station took off and eventually became the number one station in the market.
Some WPST DJs over the years included John Mellon (aka Walt Ballard), Ed Johnson, Doug James, John Brown, Eddie Davis, Trish Merelo, Andy Gury, Brian Douglas, Mel Toxic, Jay Sorensen, Dave Hoeffel, Tom Cunningham, Michelle Stevens, Eric Johnson, Mark Sheppard,Bob Sorrentino,Lee Tobin,Lori Johnson, André Gardner, Phil Simon, Steve Trevelise, Joel Katz, Rich DeSisto and Scott Lowe.
On February 14, 2005, at 5pm, 97.5 "switched" frequencies and formats with 94.5 WTHK. In August 2005, 97.5's city of license was changed from Trenton
Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton is the capital of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the county seat of Mercer County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Trenton had a population of 84,913...
to Burlington
Burlington, New Jersey
Burlington is a city in Burlington County, New Jersey, United States and a suburb of Philadelphia. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 9,920....
. WTHK 97.5 The Hawk signed off the air forever on November 15, 2006 at 7 PM EST. Smooth Jazz WJJZ took over the spot two days later at 6 PM EST. In the meantime, Greater Media
Greater Media
Greater Media, Inc., known as Greater Media, is an American media company that specializes in radio stations. The markets where they own radio stations include Boston, Detroit, Philadelphia, Charlotte, and the state of New Jersey...
aired a simulcast of WMGK
WMGK
WMGK, known as "Classic Rock 102.9 MGK" or "Philadelphia's Classic Rock: 102.9 MGK", is a Classic rock formatted radio station which is broadcast in the Philadelphia area. The station features popular Philadelphia radio personality John DeBella and former Howard Stern Show censor Andre Gardner. ...
, The Hawk's one-time competitor, on 97.5. Because WMGK is also a classic rock station, WTHK was ultimately discontinued in favor of WJJZ.
History of 94.5
94.5 in Trenton began on August 7, 1965, as WCHR-FMWCHR-FM
WCHR-FM is a Manahawkin, New Jersey radio station broadcasting at 105.7 FM with a classic rock format...
with a religious format. But after 33 years, that changed when Nassau Broadcasting bought the station. November 10, 1997, saw the beginning of things to come when WCHR began to simulcast on 920 AM in Trenton in preparation for a format change. On February 27, 1998, WCHR started stunting with construction sound effects, and on March 2, 1998, 94.5 became "New Jersey's Oldies Station." The WNJO calls were assigned on March 26, 1998. (Some time after that, the WCHR call sign was reassigned to 105.7 in Manahawkin, New Jersey
Manahawkin, New Jersey
Manahawkin is a census-designated place and unincorporated area contained within Stafford Township, in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. Manahawkin translates to 'land of good corn' although this has been disputed by recent scholars claiming that it translate to “fertile land sloping into...
).
On November 1, 2001, WNJO switched to a classic hits format as "94.5 The Hawk." Calls changed to WTHK on August 1, 2002 - and slowly evolved into a classic rock station. On February 14, 2005, at 5pm, 94.5 "switched" frequencies and formats with 97.5 WPST
WPST
WPST is a radio station broadcasting a Top 40 format. Licensed to Trenton, New Jersey, USA, the station serves the Philadelphia, Central Jersey area. The station is currently owned by Nassau Broadcasting Ii, LLC and features programing from Westwood One...
.
Reaction to The Hawk's loss
As expected, many former listeners of WTHK reacted the same way WJJZ's listeners did when Clear Channel discontinued the latter station in August 2006. The Hawk had a very loyal fanbase, and most of them have already said that they will not switch to its former competitor, Greater Media's WMGKWMGK
WMGK, known as "Classic Rock 102.9 MGK" or "Philadelphia's Classic Rock: 102.9 MGK", is a Classic rock formatted radio station which is broadcast in the Philadelphia area. The station features popular Philadelphia radio personality John DeBella and former Howard Stern Show censor Andre Gardner. ...
. Since The Hawk's demise, WMGK is now Mercer and Bucks County's only local classic rock station, though out of market Classic Rock stations such as New York's Q104.3
WAXQ
WAXQ is a radio station with a classic rock format in New York City. The station is owned by Clear Channel Communications.-WFDR:...
(WAXQ), The Jerey Shore's 105.7 The Hawk
WCHR-FM
WCHR-FM is a Manahawkin, New Jersey radio station broadcasting at 105.7 FM with a classic rock format...
(WCHR-FM) and Easten's Classic Hits 99.9 The Hawk
WODE-FM
WODE-FM is a radio station located in Easton, Pennsylvania, in the Lehigh Valley area of Pennsylvania, in the United States. The station broadcasts on 99.9 FM, and is popularly known as 99-9 The Hawk....
(WODE) can still be picked up in parts of this area .
However, WCHR-FM, which as noted above transmits from Manahawkin, New Jersey
Manahawkin, New Jersey
Manahawkin is a census-designated place and unincorporated area contained within Stafford Township, in Ocean County, New Jersey, United States. Manahawkin translates to 'land of good corn' although this has been disputed by recent scholars claiming that it translate to “fertile land sloping into...
, is also named "The Hawk," and carries very similar content. This station is audible, and rather strong, at the eastern edge of the Philadelphia market.