WQSM

Infobox Radio Station
name = WQSM-FM


city = Fayetteville, North Carolina
area = Fayetteville Metropolitan Area
branding = Q98
slogan = Today's Best Variety
frequency = 98.1 MHz
format = Top 40
power = 100,000 watts| class = C1
HAAT = 253 meters
facility_id = 8582
coordinates = coord|35|04|36|N|78|55|58|W|type:landmark
callsign_meaning =
sister_stations = WFNC, WFVL, WRCQ
owner = Cumulus Media
website = [http://www.q98fm.com www.q98fm.com]

WQSM-FM, "Q98" is a licensed FM class C1 Top 40 radio station based in Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA. Owned and operated by Cumulus Media, Q98 has offices and studios located at 1009 Drayton Road in downtown Fayetteville. Its transmitter is located near Bragg Boulevard in Fayetteville.

History

WFNC-FM signed on in 1947 and was the only FM station in Fayetteville for many years. Victor Dawson, who started out managing WFNC-AM for his father, was one of the few to realize that FM had a future. In 1969, when WFNC-FM became WQSM and began playing country music, few cars had FM radios and WQSM began selling converters to potential listeners [Michael Futch, "Vic Dawson's Vision Changed Fayetteville Radio," "The Fayetteville Observer", December 1, 1995.] .

For nearly 14 years ending on October 18, 1989, WQSM played Top 40, starting with the automated TM (See Jones Radio Networks) Stereo Rock format. Q98 took 18 months to reach number one, and in April 1982, the station had 25.4 percent of listeners 12 and over in Cumberland County, the largest market share for any FM station in the country.

After Scott McLeod was hired as program director, the station gradually began moving in a more adult direction. With a switch to adult contemporary music from the 1960s through the present, "Q-98" became "Magic 98" [David Bourne, "Radio WQSM-FM Changing Its Tune," "The Fayetteville Observer", October 12, 1989.] Michael Futch, "For Q98, 30 Years Is Half the Story," "The Fayetteville Observer", June 24, 2008.] . Owner Cape Fear Broadcasting had to file suit in federal court when Raleigh-based Voyager Communications claimed it had the exclusive right to use the Magic name in North Carolina. Voyager finally agreed to let the name be used "in exchange for a nominal licensing fee [David Bourne, "Local Radio Station's "Magic" Proves to Be a Popular Act," "The Fayetteville Observer", November 14, 1989.] ."

The Q98 name was back by 1992 ["Q98 Gives Care Packs To County School Teachers," "The Fayetteville Observer", September 5, 1992.] .

The syndicated Bob and Sheri show made its debut on WQSM in 1998 [Michael Futch, "Q-98 Adds New Show in Morning," "The Fayetteville Observer", September 13, 1998.] . 10 years later, Bob Lacey and Sheri Lynch celebrated their own anniversary by helping Q98 celebrate 30 years. Q98 had considered a local morning show in 2002 [Michael Futch, "Local Show to Replace Morning Duo,"The Fayetteville Observer", June 23, 2002.] but good ratings made the station take a second look [Michael Futch, "A New Voice Anchors WFNC Morning News," "The Fayetteville Observer", September 15, 2002.] .

In September 1999, Cumulus Broadcasting announced plans to buy WQSM, WRCQ, WFNC and WFNC-FM from Cape Fear. This sale was challenged by Ocean Broadcasting of Wilmington, North Carolina because it would give Cumulus 6 FMs and an AM in Wilmington, and about 55 percent of market revenue. By the time the deal was completed in 2001, Cumulus properties also included WKQB [Michael Futch, "For Cumulus, the Wait Continues," "The Fayetteville Observer", September 10, 2000.] [Michael Futch, "Radio Buyout Sealed," "The Fayetteville Observer", May 23, 2001.] . When WFNC stopped doing daily editorials, WQSM was one of the stations that aired taped editorials instead [Michael Futch, "WFNC Drops Its Daily Editorials," "The Fayetteville Observer", July 8, 2001.] .

References

External links

* [http://www.q98fm.com Q98 website]
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