WRFK (FM) explained

WRFK
City:Barre, Vermont
Country:US
Area:Washington County, Vermont
Branding:107.1 Frank FM
Frequency:107.1 MHz
Airdate: (as WORK)[1]
Format:Classic rock
Erp:3,900 watts
Haat:125m (410feet)
Class:A
Licensing Authority:FCC
Facility Id:34810
Coordinates:44.1584°N -72.479°W
Callsign Meaning:"Frank"
Former Callsigns:WORK (1974–2012)
Owner:Great Eastern Radio, LLC
Sister Stations:WSNO, WWFY, WWFK
Webcast:Listen Live
Website:frankvermont.com

WRFK (107.1 MHz, "Frank FM") is an FM radio station licensed to Barre and serving central Vermont. Established in 1974, the station is owned by Jeffrey Shapiro's Great Eastern Radio. WRFK airs a classic rock format, and is simulcast in the Champlain Valley on WWFK (also on 107.1 FM) in Plattsburgh West, New York. The transmitter is located off Websterville Road and the studios and offices are on Jacques Street.

History

The station signed on August 5, 1974,[1] as WORK.[2] It was originally owned by Robert Kimel, who also owned WSNO in Barre and WWSR AM-FM in St. Albans, and programmed an automated Top 40/hot AC format known as "Hit Parade".[3] Kimel sold WORK and WSNO to Bull Moose Broadcasting in 1997;[4] two years later, the stations were purchased by Vox Radio Group.[5] Nassau Broadcasting Partners acquired most of Vox's northern New England radio stations in 2004,[6] and changed WORK's format to classic hits on September 15, 2006.[7]

WORK, along with 29 other Nassau stations in northern New England, was purchased at bankruptcy auction by Carlisle Capital Corporation, a company controlled by Bill Binnie (owner of WBIN-TV in Derry, New Hampshire), on May 22, 2012. The station, and 12 of the other stations, were then acquired by Vertical Capital Partners, controlled by Jeff Shapiro.[8] [9] On November 14, 2012, the call letters changed to WRFK.[10] The deal was completed on November 30, 2012.[11] The Vertical Capital Partners stations were transferred to Shapiro's existing Great Eastern Radio group on January 1, 2013.[12] [13]

On June 26, 2020, WRFK began simulcasting on WPLA (renamed WWFK) in Dannemora, New York, which also operates on 107.1 FM; this brought the "Frank FM" programming into the Champlain Valley area.[14]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Broadcasting & Cable Yearbook 1999. 1999. D-455. November 15, 2012.
  2. News: For the Record. November 15, 2012. Broadcasting. February 11, 1974.
  3. Book: Broadcasting Yearbook 1975. 1975. C-195. November 15, 2012.
  4. News: Fybush. Scott. Back From the Dead.... November 15, 2012. North East RadioWatch. January 26, 1997.
  5. News: Fybush. Scott. The Eagle Has Crash-Landed. November 15, 2012. North East RadioWatch. April 2, 1999.
  6. News: Nassau Will Buy 10 Vox Stations in New England. https://web.archive.org/web/20130524014413/http://www.rwonline.com/article/nassau-will-buy-10-vox-stations-in-new-england/10025. usurped. May 24, 2013. November 15, 2012. Radio World. March 16, 2004.
  7. News: Top 40 WORK Flips To Frank-FM. November 15, 2012. All Access. September 18, 2006.
  8. News: Carlisle Capital Corp. Wins Bidding For Rest Of Nassau Stations. May 22, 2012. All Access. May 22, 2012.
  9. News: Venta. Lance. Nassau Broadcasting Auction Results. May 24, 2012. RadioInsight. May 22, 2012. (updated May 23, 2012)
  10. Web site: Call Sign History . FCC Media Bureau CDBS Public Access Database .
  11. News: Kitch. Michael. Binnie closes on purchase of WLNH. December 1, 2012. Laconia Daily Sun. December 1, 2012.
  12. Web site: APPLICATION FOR CONSENT TO ASSIGN BROADCAST STATION CONSTRUCTION PERMIT OR LICENSE OR TO TRANSFER CONTROL OF ENTITY HOLDING BROADCAST STATION CONSTRUCTION PERMIT OR LICENSE. December 11, 2012. CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. June 8, 2013.
  13. Web site: Consummation Notice. January 4, 2013. CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. June 8, 2013.
  14. Web site: Frank-FM Expands to Burlington VT with Great Eastern Purchase.