WZEI Partners with WEEI

MEREDITH — WZEI 101.5-FM, formerly WWHQ, licensed in Meredith with studios in Hooksett, yesterday became the eighth affiliate of the WEEI Sports Radio Network by broadcasting its sports programming throughout the Lakes Region.

When known as WWHQ, the station belonged to the stable of Nassau Broadcasting Partners, airing several formats, including class rock when it was branded "The Hawk." Amid the bankruptcy of Nassau Broadcasting Partners WWHQ was among 29 stations purchased at auction by Carlisle Capital Corporation, whose principal Bill Binnie of Rye, owns WBIN-TV of Derry. Almost at once the station, together with another dozen, was acquired by Vertical Capital Partners, controlled by Jeff Shapiro, the chief executive officer of Great Eastern Radio. On Christmas Eve the call letters were changed to WZEI-FM.

In a prepared statement Shapiro said that "Great Eastern Radio and WEEI have a great partnership that has been key to great sports programming in northern New England for the past few years." WZEI-FM will broadcast the entire WEEI weekday lineup, along with Boston Celtics basketball games and weekend sports talk shows.

WEEI is one of 111 stations serving 23 markets in 15 states owned by Entercom Comminications Corp. of Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania, one of the five largest broadcasting companies in the country.