Double Flip in Eastern North Carolina
January 2, 2008
As the ball dropped on 2008, Inner Banks Media split its CHR “The Hot FM” simulcast in Eastern North Carolina in favor of two new formats.
94.1 WWHA Oriental, covering the New Bern, Morehead City, and Jacksonville areas became Oldies “Kool 94.1″ with Imus in the Morning and “East Carolina’s Greatest Hits”. The “Kool” brand and WKOO calls had a long run at 98.7 in Jacksonville, NC before becoming Variety Hits “Will-FM” in 2005.
Meanwhile 94.3 WWNK Farmville/Greenville became “Talk-FM 94.3“, adopting the format and programming of crosstown 1070 WNCT. Henry Hinton, who LMA’d WNCT from Beasley Broadcasting, is one of the principles of Inner Banks Media and hosts mornings on “Talk-FM”. Other hosts in the lineup include Sean Hannity, Neal Boortz, and Michael Savage.
The “Hot-FM” CHR format debuted in 1990 on 96.3 WRHT and 103.7 WCBZ before moving to the 94.1 and 94.3 combo last April, when Inner Banks took over the stations. The 96.3/103.7 combo became “Thunder Country“.
WWFT Indianapolis Becomes “Warm 93.9″
January 2, 2008
Launching with The Police “Every Breathe You Take”, Cumulus’ former FM Talker WWFT has become AC “Warm 93.9″ pitted against Emmis’ WYXB “B105.7“. The station has picked up John Tesh for nights.
One of the most attractive demographic targets now is women 25 to 54,” said Chris Wheat, market manager for Warm 93.9 and sister stations WFMS-FM (95.5) and WJJK-FM (104.5). “It’s certainly an advertiser-friendly format.”
Listen to the launch of Warm 93.9 at the Format Change Archive.
Miami Move-In To Debut
January 4, 2008
Spanish Broadcasting’s 106.3 WZMQ Key Largo, FL will complete its move-in to the Miami market on Saturday, January 5 becoming Regional Mexican WRAZ-FM “La Raza 106.3″. The station, which will change its city-of-license to Leisure City, FL, will become the first Spanish station in the Miami market targetting Mexican listeners. The signal will cover all of Dade County, but will not have much coverage in Hollywood or Fort Lauderdale in order to protect CBS’ WNEW-FM in the West Palm Beach market.
WOCL Orlando Stunting
January 4, 2008
“O-Rock 105.9” WOCL Deland/Orlando, FL dropped its Modern Rock format at 10:00am today and is now stunting with “The History of Rock & Roll”. RadioInsight reported on December 13th that a number of domains had been registered by CBS for possible use at WOCL.
Changes in Northwest Ohio and Southwest Michigan
January 7, 2008
Michiguide.com reports that Midwest Family Broadcasting is making programming shifts at three of its six stations in its Southwest Michigan cluster of St. Joseph and Benton Harbor. The “Cosy” branding and WCSY calls will move from 98.3 to 103.7, however the former WHIT-FM will keep its Oldies format instead of the AC that 98.3 had. That frequency will acquire the WCNF calls and “Coast” branding and Hot AC format from 94.9. Finally, 94.9 will become WSJM-FM and simulcast News/Talk 1400 WSJM.
Meanwhile, Clear Channel makes some changes in Northwest Ohio as Findlay area Classic Rock “107.7 The Fox” WFPX moves to the 106.3 signal in Ottawa, OH, which rimshots Findlay and Lima replacing Satellite Oldies “The Big Buck” WBUK. Replacing “The Fox” at 107.7 is AC “My 107.7“. More at Ohio Media Watch.
WYSK Fredericksburg Goes Rhythmic
January 7, 2008
Free Lance Star’s 99.3 WYSK-FM Spotsylvania/Fredericksburg, VA dropped its Modern Rock format at noon today for Rhythmic CHR as “99.3 The Vibe”.
OM Paul Johnson described The Vibe as “A blend of contemporary Urban, Rythmic, and Top 40. Our tag line is Fredericksburg’s New #1 Hit Music Station.” The station will be a blend of current format heavyweights like Alicia Keys, Chris Brown, Kanye West, and Sean Kingston, along with liberal doses of 80’s and 90’s dance, and even some 70’s Old School. The station has applied for the call letters WWVB.
“Fredericksburg has no real CHR station, and no stations for the Urban audience,” Johnson explained. “We’re excited about tapping into an audience that is grossly underserved.”
More at VARTV.com
Sunny 105.9 Orlando Debuts
January 10, 2008
As we predicted back on Christmas Day, 105.9 WOCL has debuted its new format as “Orlando’s Greatest Hits – Sunny 105.9“. The station debuted with a similar production montage to the one used by sister WCBS-FM New York when that station returned last Summer. The station’s music is centered in the 70’s but includes a healthy amount of 60’s and 80’s as well. Imaging is voiced by WCBS-FM’s Ziggy.
Listen to the stunt montage and format change here.
99.7 KYYS Kansas City To Flip
January 10, 2008
The Kansas City Star reports that Entercom Classic Rocker 99.7 KYYS has let go of its airstaff in preparation of a format flip. The Star also reports that an e-mail was sent to advertisers identifying the new format to be identified as “The Boulevard” with an Adult Alternative format.
We can confirm that Entercom has registered 997theboulevard.com and a number of domains with spelling derivatives of that: 997blvd.com, 997boulevard.com, 997bolevard.com, 997bulevard.com, 997bvd.com, 997thebolevard.com, 997thebulevard.com, 997theblvd.com, 997thebvd.com as well as every variation of those with the 997 after the text.
The “KY” Rock format dates back to 1974, when KY102 launched at 102.1 FM. In 1997, the format was dropped in favor of Modern AC “The Zone”, however the calls and format were picked up by Entercom’s then 99.7 KLTH.
The AAA format was tried by Union Broadcasting’s 97.3 KZPL from 2003 to 2005.
92.7 Jacksonville To Go Gospel
January 11, 2008
If it hasn’t already, 92.7 WROO (after swapping calls with now 93.3 WJBT) Jacksonville will flip to Gospel as “Hallelujah 92.7″. 92.7 and 93.3 have been simulcasting since Christmas Day when WJBT moved to the 93.3 signal.
“99.7 The Boulevard” Kansas City Debuts
January 11, 2008
At 1pm Central Time, 99.7 KYYS Kansas City dropped Classic Rock for what they’re calling “Quality Rock”, but is best described as Adult Rock as “99.7 The Boulevard“.
“The new station aims to put a fresh spin on iconic classic rock, featuring favorite artists in a more adult, rock-oriented environment.”
Core artists will include Tom Petty, Eric Clapton, Dave Matthews, The Rolling Stones, U2, Bruce Springsteen, The Police and Jackson Browne.
“We created The Boulevard to fill a void that has existed far too long in this market,” VP Market Manager of Entercom Dave Alpert. “So many stations play the same music. This new product will bring to Kansas City listeners music they simply cannot get anywhere else.”
Entercom Kansas City Program Director Greg Bergen added, “Our newest format is all about the revitalization of a legendary music genre. Kansas City listeners with a penchant for classic hits, but who demand a fresher, more contemporary delivery, are guaranteed to find their radio home with 99.7 The Boulevard.”
The station’s first hour included:
Final Song of KYYS: Billy Squire – In The Dark
Jackson Browne – Boulevard
U2 – Beautiful Day
Steely Dan – Hey Nineteen
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – Refugee
Elton John – Madman Across The Water
The Wallflowers – One Headlight
Cream – Sunshine Of Your Love
Steve Winwood – While You See A Chance
Bruce Springsteen – Blinded By The Light
R.E.M. – Losing My Religion
The Eagles – One Of These Nights
The Clash – Train In Vain
David Bowie – Suffragette City
Van Morrison – Wild Night
