Album-oriented rock
In early 1982, Doubleday bought the station, and by April, the station call letters were changed to WAPP. However, the format would remain the same for a while longer until new ownership decided what to do with the station. On June 14, 1982, the station switched to an Album-oriented rock format similar to WPLJ and WNEW-FM, and was renamed "The Apple 103.5"; the format began with "Won't Get Fooled Again" by The Who. The station went commercial-free for the duration of that summer, and as a result, it became the highest-rated radio station in New York City. After the station added commercials, listeners switched back to WPLJ and WNEW-FM, and so ratings went down. In 1983, when WPLJ switched to a CHR format, the station's ratings got a slight boost.