WQTM

Infobox Radio Station


name = WQTM
city = Orlando, Florida
airdate = January 1995
frequency = 740 kHz
area = Orlando, Florida
format = Spanish Adult Hits
owner = Clear Channel Communications
licensee = Clear Channel Broadcasting Licenses, Inc.
erp = 50,000 watts
branding = La Preciosa
slogan =
class = B
facility_id = 51982
webcast =
website =
callsign_meaning = WQ TeaM (previous format)

WQTM is the callsign for an AM Spanish-language radio station in Orlando, Florida, United States. It broadcasts at a medium-wave frequency of 740 kHz. It is owned by Clear Channel Communications and operates out of Clear Channel's Orlando area offices in Maitland. It broadcasts from a 50kW transmitter in Clermont, Florida.

History

WQTM debuted as a sports talk radio station, "The Team", in January 1995. From 1995-2001, WQTM broadcasted on the 540 frequency. In January 2001, WQTM transitioned over to 740 AM by simulcasting on both frequencies for one month. Beginning in February, the transition was complete, and 540 AM became WFLF (NewsRadio 540 WFLA).

"740 The Team" was anchored by four local shows:
*"The Dan Sileo Show" from 6-9 a.m.
**From 1995-2000, Jerry & Shot hosted the morning show from 6-9 with "Mandy."
**From 2000-2002, Pat Clarke and Charles Davis hosted the morning program.
*"Keep 'N Score" from 9-10 a.m. hosted by "Orlando Sentinel" columnists
*"Coach and Company" from 3-6 p.m. hosted by Marc Daniels, the voice of UCF Knights radio broadcasts, and accompanied by then-Florida Gators reporter Steve Egan. "The Freak" Mark Lloyd was also part of the show through 2001, after which he left and joined the WWE announcing staff.
*"The Finish Line" from 6-9 p.m. hosted by Knights sideline reporter Jerry O'Neill along with "The Shot Doctor" and Mike Tuck (often pre-empted by live sports).
*740 The Team was also the Orlando affiliate of "The Jim Rome Show" and Fox Sports Radio.

On October 12, 2006 Clear Channel announced the dismissal of twelve-year program director, and show host Marc Daniels. The move was made as part of budget cuts. Steve Egan was also dismissed. [http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/local/orl-wqtm1306oct13,0,2700777.story?track=mostemailedlink] Speculation in an "Orlando Sentinel" article suggest the station possibly could have a format change. On November 10, 2006, it was announced that WQTM's summer 2006 ratings fell to an average of 0.6 (84,000 listeners), falling behind competitor ESPN 1080 WHOO for the first time in at least 15 months. [http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/local/orl-darling1006nov10,0,1533871.column?coll=orl-sports-headlines]

On October 1, 2007, WQTM changed their morning lineup. It dropped "Keep 'N Score", a one-hour show hosted by "Orlando Sentinel" columnists which ran from May 2003 and FSR's "Out of Bounds" in favor of the newly re-launched "Dan Patrick Show" from 9 a.m. to noon.

Starting in the beginning of 2008, WQTM's local sports programming will move back to the 540 frequency currently occupied by WFLF, while 740 changes to a Spanish-language format. The Dan Sileo Show began simulcasting on WFLF before move, since their local morning show host, Pat Campbell, left the station. When the changeover occurred, "The Finish Line" moved to WFLF in the 6pm-9pm time slot once occupied by The Mike Gallagher Show. [ [http://www.orlandosentinel.com/community/news/ucf/orl-radio0407dec04,0,3043576.story Topic Galleries - OrlandoSentinel.com ] ] [Specific show movements were announced on The Finish Line on December 6, 2007.] The "The Jim Rome Show" was picked up by rival station WHOO. The Orlando Predators moved to WFLF, and the UCF Knights are expected to move there as well. The local affiliation of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has switched to WTKS. Dan Patrick has not yet found a new local station in central Florida.

References

External links