- Source: WPOC
WPOC (93.1 FM) is a commercial radio station in Baltimore, Maryland. It airs a country music radio format and is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. The studios and offices are at The Rotunda Shopping Center, on West 40th Street, in Baltimore.
The transmitter, with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 16,000 watts, is off North Rolling Road in Catonsville, Maryland. It has a height above average terrain (HAAT) of 264 meters (886 feet), providing WPOC with a wide coverage area from Washington, D.C. to the Maryland-Pennsylvania state line, and from Annapolis to Frederick. It broadcasts using HD Radio technology. Its HD2 digital subchannel formerly carried "24/7 Comedy Legends", a comedy format.
History
On February 4, 1960, the station signed on as WFMM-FM. It was owned by the Commercial Radio Institute (which eventually evolved into Sinclair Broadcast Group) with studios at 44 West Biddle Street. It was a rare stand-alone FM station, not associated with an AM station or a newspaper.
In 1974, the station was acquired by Nationwide Communications, a division of Nationwide Insurance. Nationwide decided to put a country music format on 93.1. The call sign was switched from WFMM-FM to WPOC, standing for "Pride of the Chesaspeake", because the station covers much of Chesapeake Bay. The station affiliated with the ABC Directions Network for national news.
In 1999, the station was acquired by Clear Channel Communications, which maintained the country music format. Clear Channel later became iHeartMedia, the current owner.
Airstaff and honors
WPOC has been voted "Baltimore's Best Country Station" several times, along with other industry awards. The station is home to "The Laurie DeYoung Morning Show." Since 2008 she has been joined by newscaster and producer Jeff St. Pierre, and since 2023, Bethany Linderman. DeYoung was inducted into the Country Music DJ Hall of Fame in 2010.
Midday is hosted by Bob Delmont, while Michael J. hosts the afternoon drive time. Premiere Networks' syndicated The Bobby Bones Show is carried in the evening and Granger Smith's syndicated show is heard overnight. Saturday evenings feature the "Country House Party".
WPOC-FM has one of the longest-tenured weekday lineups in the country. DeYoung, Delmont and Michael J. have hosted Morning Drive through Afternoon Drive since 2001.
Past personalities
Marty Bass
Mark Williams
Bill Rehkof (Later at KDKA Pittsburgh)
Bill Vanko (Later at WBAL)
Mary Street-early news director
Pat Nason
Mike Fast
Lee Dennis
Gail Svenson
Ted Patterson
Fran Severn
Jen Phoenix
Justin Cole
Diane Lyn (Later at WLIF Today's 101.9 Baltimore)
Trish Hennessey
Libby Cole
Jeff Michaels
Tom Conroy
Bob Raleigh (formerly WPGC)
Todd Grimsted
Scott Lawrence
Danny Reese
Brenda Bissett
Greg Cole
Jim Conway
Ken Boesen-pd
Scott Lindy-pd
Doug Wilson-pd
Bob Moody-pd
Larry Clark-pd
Tony Girard
Mark Joseph
Bob Mathers
References
External links
WPOC Official Website
Facility details for Facility ID 47747 (WPOC) in the FCC Licensing and Management System
WPOC in Nielsen Audio's FM station database