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March 1, 2026 7:10 am  #1


Fictional TV Series Radio Station Used A Real One's Antenna As A Model

Netflix's "Stranger Things" was one of the streamer's biggest hits, and featured a fictional radio station called WSQK prominently in the episodes. 

There were scenes on the station's antenna that were part of the show and it turns out that structure was based on a real exiting outlet - WPTF, the 50,000 watt all talk station in Raleigh, North Carolina, (located at 680, which is why we can't get it here.) 

In this remarkable article, the station explains how they were chosen as the model for the fictional counterpart, publishes some amazing pics of the real and fictional set, as well as pointing out some of the stretches the producers got away with.

"What Stranger Things shows is not a conventional “radio station” with studios and production rooms. Instead, WSQK is depicted as a utilitarian facility: a main equipment room, a small control or booth area and supporting spaces arranged around them. That layout closely matches how real transmitter buildings, including WPTF’s, are organized — down to small architectural details like the wood trim and molding around the control booth windows, which appear to have been carefully replicated on the WSQK set."

If you're a fan of radio equipment, this is a great read.


The Real Radio Station Behind Stranger Things’ WSQK