Broadcast area Eau Claire, Wisconsin Frequency 1150 kHz | Branding 95.9 Jamz | |
City Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin Slogan Nonstop Music, Without All the Talk Translator(s) 95.9 W240DC (Chippewa Falls) | ||
WEAQ (1150 AM) is a radio station in the Eau Claire area of Wisconsin, with its studio/offices located in Altoona, Wisconsin. Its transmitter is located in Lake Hallie, Wisconsin.
History
The station was originally WTAQ 790, the first radio station to sign-on in Eau Claire. The station's first studios were located in the tire manufacturing plant in the center of Eau Claire (with the callsign standing for "Tires Are Quality"). Eventually, the station moved to Tower Drive on the northeast side of Eau Claire, and was later renamed WEAQ, playing pop music with occasional format switches to country, rock, adult contemporary and standards. WEAQ converted to sports talk in April 2002 with a near-full simulcast of ESPN Radio, and the rebranding as "ESPN 1150."
WEAQ and sister stations WIAL & WECL were purchased by Central Communications in 1996. WAYY 1150 and WEAQ switched frequencies, with WEAQ now at 1150. WEAQ, WIAL & WECL soon moved into the Central Communications building in Altoona, Wisconsin. The five stations, plus new sister station WDRK, were sold to Maverick Media, LLC in 2003.
WEAQ and its Eau Claire sister stations, along with Maverick Media's Rockford, Illinois stations, were sold to Mid-West Family Broadcasting for $15.5 million. The purchase of the Eau Claire stations was consummated on October 1, 2013, while the Rockford station purchases were consummated on June 1, 2014.
On April 28, 2014 WEAQ changed their format to oldies, branded as "Oldies 1150".
On March 14, 2017, WEAQ flipped to Rhythmic CHR as "95.9 Jamz", utilizing new FM translator W240DC. The station is priding itself on its jockless nature, promoting themselves as the home for "nonstop music without all the talk".