Hartford Radio: WDRC-FM Flips To Classic Rock As 'The Whale'

Connoisseur Media/Hartford has flipped Classic Hits WDRC 102.9 FM to Classic Rock as of Tuesday moring.  The station is now branding as 102.9 The Whale.

WDRC-FM shifted from Oldies to Classic Hits last summer, when Connoisseur closed on its purchase from Buckley Broadcasting.   In July 2014, WDRC changed their name to "102.9 DRC" and their slogan to 'Classic Hits of the 70s, 80s and more'.

Also, last summer the market's heritage Classic Rock WCCC 106.9 FM flipped it's format to Contemporary Christian after it was sold to Educational Media Foundation in August 2014.

The Whale is now hoping to lure old WCCC-FM listeners to 102.9 FM.

Chaz & AJ imnported from sister Rock WPLR 99.1 FM in New Haven remain in mornings on The Whale. Allan Lamberti moves to middays from afternoons, former WCCC PD Michael Picozzi joins WDRC-FM for afternoons, and former WCCC host Klonk takes nights.

WDRC 102.9 FM (11.5 Kw) Red=60dBu Coverage Area

“Our team has created an awesome sounding station that our research, listeners and advertisers have been telling us was missing from the Hartford dial since WCCC dropped rock,” said GM Kristin Okesson. “102.9 The Whale integrates well into our content and sales strategy in Connecticut while giving Hartford llisteners what they want -- more and better Classic Rock.”

Regional OM Keith Dakin explained, “The Hartford market was lacking a rock station that listeners can have a fun relationship with.  The new 102.9 The Whale will connect with listeners and fill this void. No radio station in Hartford has offered listeners the Classic Rock they really want, so we are excited to introduce the new 102.9 The Whale with some of Hartford’s most well-known rock personalities.”

“We’re thrilled our Connecticut radio team has launched another great station to add to our top-shelf portfolio,” said Connoisseur Media CEO Jeff Warshaw. “Although our station played some Classic Rock, our research overwhelmingly showed that the people of Hartford wanted a local radio station that was focused on playing only the best Classic Rock on the planet.”