WQIO
| City | Mt. Vernon, Ohio |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Mid-Ohio |
| Branding | 93–7, The New Super Q |
| Slogan | Today's Hits – Yesterday's Favorites |
| Frequency | 93.7 (MHz) |
| Format | Adult Contemporary |
| ERP | 37,000 watts |
| HAAT | 172 meters |
| Class | B |
| Callsign meaning | "The Super Q" in Mid-OhIO (original and current branding) |
| Owner | BAS Broadcasting |
| Website | http://www.wqioradio.com |
WQIO is an FM radio station in Mount Vernon, Ohio located at 93.7 MHz. The station plays Adult Contemporary music as "93-7, The New Super Q". Currently, this is Dial Global's Radio Network's "AC Pure" format.
WQIO and its sister Sports/Talker WMVO are currently owned by BAS Broadcasting of Fremont, Ohio. Prior to October 1, 2005, the station was owned by Clear Channel Communications. WQIO was previously known as "93Q" prior to its purchase by Clear Channel, with a format closer to Hot AC than its current "Best Variety" format.
The John Tesh Radio Show, which aired from 7 p.m. to midnight, was discontinuted when the station changed owners. However, the show returned three weeks later due to listener feedback. The show subsequently aired weekday mornings from 6am to 11 am, but has since returned to evenings.
WQIO and its sister station WMVO were founded by Helen E. Zelkowitz in the 1950s and remained locally owned and operated until its sale in 1994. In 1987 the station converted from an automated light Adult Contemporary format to a live Contemporary Hit Radio format. The change was supported with new air talent and jingles, contests and promotions, and live remotes throughout the region. These ventures, along with serious upgrades in branding and programming raised the station's appeal in the region, and even pulled in significant ratings from the Columbus Market—giving Columbus based WNCI a run for its money in areas that received WQIO's signal. It was during this time that branding such as "Ohio's Superstation" and "Super-Q" were implemented; these mottos have recently been resurrected by WQIO's present management. Known as "93-7 WQIO, The Super Q," WQIO was the region's most popular Top 40 station, consistently rating first in Knox, Holmes, Ashland and Richland counties, and nearly beating WNCI multiple times in Licking and Delaware Counties. In 1996 WQIO became one of its area's first Hot AC radio stations due to the competition of WYHT in Mansfield.
In 1994 Ashland Broadcasting purchased the stations to pair them with WNCO & WNCO-FM in nearby Ashland. The company's new name after the purchase from Zelkowitz was Knox Broadcasting, a division of Dean Stampfli's Ohio Radio Group. Ohio Radio Group eventually become a local radio powerhouse, owning 7 stations, including WFXN (102.3, Galion, Ohio), WMAN-FM (98.3, Fredericktown, Ohio)and WXXF (107.7 Loudonville, Ohio). In 2000, Knox Broadcasting and the entire Ohio Radio Group was sold to Clear Channel Broadcasting for $32 Million.
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