WHQT
| Company type | Commercial broadcaster |
|---|---|
| Industry | Radio broadcasting |
| Founded | 1958-11-15 |
| Headquarters | Hollywood, Florida , United States |
Area served | South Florida (Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood) |
| Products | Urban adult contemporary music format radio broadcasting |
| Owner | Cox Media Group |
WHQT (105.1 FM, known as "Hot 105") is a commercial broadcaster owned by Cox Media Group, featuring an urban adult contemporary music format. The station holds a license in Coral Gables, Florida and serves the South Florida region, including the areas of Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Hollywood, Florida.
The station's studios and administrative offices are located in Hollywood, where it shares facilities with sister stations WEDR, WFLC, and WFEZ. Classified as a Class C0 facility, WHQT transmits with an effective radiated power (ERP) of 100,000 watts from its transmitter site in Miami Gardens, Florida, a location that hosts numerous FM and television broadcasters. WHQT broadcasts using HD Radio technology and offers a Gospel/Inspirational format on its HD2 subchannel, branded as "Joy 105."
"Hot 105" features the nationally syndicated Rickey Smiley Morning Show airing weekdays from 6 to 10 am.
Early years
The station began operations on November 15, 1958, under the call letters WVCG-FM at 105.1 FM, simulcasting its AM counterpart 1070 WVCG (currently 1080 WQOS), which was known as the "Voice of Coral Gables." WVCG was notable for being Florida's first classical music broadcaster and the pioneer FM station in the state to transmit in stereo. In 1968, the call sign changed to WYOR, promoting itself as "YOuR beautiful music station," primarily delivering instrumental renditions of popular tunes alongside selections from Broadway and Hollywood soundtracks. WYOR marketed itself through an annual FM dial card listing stations within the Miami market.
The station originally operated under a grandfathered authorization permitting an ERP of 160,000 watts—exceeding most Miami FM outlets—but limited antenna height reduced the signal's reach advantage. After moving its transmitter to a 600-foot tower in downtown Miami during the early 1970s, its power was lowered to 100,000 watts to match other local FM broadcasters.
In 1983, EZ Communications purchased the station, updating its call letters to WEZI and branding it as "E-Z 105." The format evolved from easy listening toward soft adult contemporary by decreasing instrumental tracks and increasing vocal content in order to attract younger listeners favored by advertisers.
Hot 105
At 6 am on January 10, 1985, the station rebranded as WHQT "Hot 105," implementing a hybrid Contemporary Hit Radio (CHR)/Urban Contemporary ("CHUrban") format. This initial "triethnic" music blend aimed at Miami’s youthful black, white, and Hispanic audiences with a mix of R&B, Latin Freestyle Dance, Hip-Hop, and Pop hits. By 1987, WHQT gravitated toward a Mainstream Top 40 playlist featuring artists such as Rick Astley, Madonna, and Def Leppard. The station notably pioneered automated jockless programming by running a DJ-free music block from 9 am to 5 pm.
Confronted with competition from WHYI (Y100) and WPOW (Power 96), Hot 105 fully embraced an Urban Contemporary format in September 1988 under the slogan The fresh new sound of Hot 105. Its chief rival became future sister station WEDR (99 Jamz), both targeting African-American listeners aged 18-49 until WHQT transitioned to Urban Adult Contemporary in 1992. The acquisition of both stations by Cox Communications ended their competition.
Hot 105 maintained its status as Miami’s exclusive Adult R&B/Soul outlet until October 2006 when WMIB adopted an Urban AC format under Clear Channel Communications (now iHeartMedia). WMIB later reverted to Urban Contemporary programming in late 2008.
Tom Joyner
At its inception in 1994, Hot 105 was among the initial affiliates broadcasting the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show. The program grew to approximately 100 affiliates across the country before Joyner announced his retirement in 2019.
NAB Radio Award
WHQT has consistently showcased a strong dedication to community service and broadcast excellence within Miami's radio scene. Led by Phil Michaels-Trueba, Director of Branding and Programming, Hot 105 earned the NAB Marconi Radio Award for "Urban Station of the Year" on four occasions: 2014, 2017, 2019, and most recently in 2023. Michaels-Trueba started his career at Hot 105 as an intern in 1991, progressed through multiple positions until 1999, and returned as Program Director in March 2006. In 2023, he advanced to the role of Director of Operations.
Former program directors
Among the former program directors are Jeff Tyson, Bob McKay, Bill Tanner, Keith Isley, Hector Hannibal, Tony Kidd, Derrick Brown, Tony Fields, and Duff Lindsey.