Binnie Media is making changes at three of its Maine properties.
The Classical format of “W-Bach” 106.9 WBQX Thomaston and 96.9 W245AA Portland was dropped on Saturday. WBQX is now Classic Hits “Frank-FM“, with the “Classic Hits for Mid-Coast Maine” programming that had been on sister 105.5 WBYA Islesboro. Most of WBQX’s programming originates on 107.5 WFNK Lewiston/Portland in addition to carrying Boston Red Sox baseball and local high school sports. WBYA is now running a loop directing listeners to 106.9 WBQX.
Meanwhile 96.9 W245AA Portland has returned to simulcasting Country “99.9 The Wolf” WTHT Auburn/99.3 WBQQ Kennebunk. W245AA had simulcast WTHT until it flipped to the “W-Bach” programming in April 2013.
This ends the Classical “W-Bach” brand after over 25 years. The format launched on 99.3 WBQQ in 1991 and bounced around many frequencies over the years. Maine Public Radio launched a Classical network last year and is now heard in the areas where WBQX/W245AA covered.