WIKE

WIKE
Simulcasting WMTK Littleton, New Hampshire
Broadcast areaOrleans County; Memphrémagog RCM
Frequency1490 kHz C-QUAM AM stereo
BrandingThe Notch
Programming
FormatClassic rock
AffiliationsBoston Red Sox Radio Network
Ownership
OwnerVermont Broadcast Associates, Inc.
OperatorGreen Mountain Broadcasters LLC
WJJZ, WMOO, WMTK
History
First air date
October 12, 1952 (1952-10-12)
Technical information[1]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID49400
ClassC
Power1,000 watts unlimited
Transmitter coordinates
44°56′28.00″N 72°13′35.00″W / 44.9411111°N 72.2263889°W / 44.9411111; -72.2263889
Translator(s)103.1 W276DK (Derby Center)
Links
Public license information
Websitenotchfm.com

WIKE (1490 AM) is a commercial radio station located in Newport, Vermont. It is owned by Vermont Broadcast Associates, Inc. and it broadcasts a classic rock format, simulcast from 106.3 WMTK in Littleton, New Hampshire. Both stations call themselves "The Notch". WIKE's programming is also heard on translator station W276DK (103.1 FM) in Derby Center. Under a local marketing agreement, Russ Ingalls' Green Mountain Broadcasters LLC operates the stations pending a full acquisition.

WIKE went on the air in 1952. The station was a country music station in the 2000s, before switching to classic rock in the 2010s.

History

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On October 12, 1952, WIKE first signed on.[2] It was owned by Memphremagog Broadcasting and was powered at 250 watts. In the 1960s, the daytime power was boosted to 1,000 watts and in the 1980s, it also increased its nighttime power to 1,000 watts.

In 1991, an FM station was added, 92.1 WMOO, which is licensed to nearby Derby Center. WMOO is programmed with a hot adult contemporary format. In 2001, both stations were acquired by Northstar Media, Inc for just over $1 million.[3]

During most of the early 2000s, WIKE was a country music station, switching to classic rock in the mid-2010s.

The WIKE logo from the early 2000s

On May 22, 2012, WIKE, along with 29 other Nassau Broadcasting Partners stations in Northern New England, was purchased at a bankruptcy auction by Carlisle Capital Corporation, a company controlled by Bill Binnie (owner of WBIN-TV in Derry). WIKE, and 12 of the other stations, were then acquired by Vertical Capital Partners, controlled by Jeff Shapiro.[4][5]

Soon after taking over, Vertical resold WIKE and sister station 92.1 WMOO to Vermont Broadcast Associates.[6]

The sale of WIKE and the other 12 stations was consummated on November 30, 2012, at a purchase price of $4.4 million.[citation needed] The resale of WIKE and WMOO was consummated on January 1, 2013, at a purchase price of $760,000.[citation needed]

In February 2025, Bruce James agreed to sell the seven Vermont Broadcast Associates stations to Green Mountain Broadcasters, owned by Vermont state senator Russ Ingalls, for $996,000. Green Mountain then began managing the stations under a local marketing agreement.[7]

Translator

[edit]
Call sign Frequency City of license FID ERP (W) Class Transmitter coordinates FCC info
W276DK 103.1 FM Derby Center, Vermont 200721 250 D 44°57′12.8″N 72°8′13.6″W / 44.953556°N 72.137111°W / 44.953556; -72.137111 (W276DK) LMS

References

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  1. ^ "Facility Technical Data for WIKE". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ Broadcasting Yearbook 1972 page B-216
  3. ^ Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 2005 page D-529
  4. ^ "Carlisle Capital Corp. Wins Bidding For Rest Of Nassau Stations". All Access. May 22, 2012. Retrieved May 22, 2012.
  5. ^ Venta, Lance (May 22, 2012). "Nassau Broadcasting Auction Results". RadioInsight. Retrieved May 24, 2012. (updated May 23, 2012)
  6. ^ "Georgia AM Trio Sold". All Access. November 7, 2012. Retrieved November 8, 2012.
  7. ^ Venta, Lance (February 7, 2025). "Vermont State Senator Acquires Vermont Broadcast Associates". RadioInsight. Retrieved February 8, 2025.
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