WJZW Washington Becomes True Oldies 105.9
February 29, 2008
At 3pm, Citadel Smooth Jazz 105.9 WJZW dropped the format for Oldies as “True Oldies 105.9“. The first three songs were Aretha Franklin “Respect”, Doobie Brothers “Listen To The Music”, and Manfred Mann “Do Wah Diddy”.
DCRTV expects current WJZW PD Steve Allan to stay on-board as PD for the new format, however the rest of the current airstaff is out. Allan was formerly PD of Clear Channel’s Oldies 100.3 WBIG and AC 97.1 WASH.
Major Cuts At Citadel
February 29, 2008
It seems every week we’re writing about major layoffs at one of the big radio companies. This time it’s Citadel’s turn on the heels of a $848 Million loss in the fourth quarter of 2007.
So far we’ve heard from DCRTV of 630 WMAL dropping late-morning host Chris Core and Operations/News Director John Matthews as well as the entire airstaff of 105.9 WJZW.
The Atlanta-Journal Constitution brings us news that 12 of the 15 on-air personalities at Country combo “Kicks 101.5″ WKHX and “Eagle 106.7″ WYAY have been let go. The AJC expects a format flip at 106.7 within the next couple weeks.
Additionally, WABC New York mid-morning host John Gambling and newsman George Weber are out, temporarily ending 83 years of the Gambling family on the air in New York. At sister WPLJ, afternoon co-hosts Rocky Allen and Blain Ensley were let go along with producers Guy Patton and Diana Ferrito. Overnight host Peter Tilden departs KABC Los Angeles along with 11 others and a number of staffers at WLS Chicago have been let go as well. In Dallas, KSCS/KTYS OM/PD Tom Hunter, Production Director Walt Troup and KTYS Promotions Director Kristi Brown were shown the door.
Citadel placed the blame on the losses on lower revenue at their clusters in San Francisco, Washington, Chicago, Atlanta, New York, Birmingham, Dallas, and Los Angeles. With the exception of Birmingham, which lost top-rated morning hosts Rick & Bubba to Clear Channel last year, all of those markets were acquired from Disney as part of the ABC Radio merger.
Brother Wease To Join WFXF Rochester
February 27, 2008
Following his departure from crosstown 96.5 WCMF earlier this month, Rochester morning fixture Brother Wease has come to terms with Clear Channel to join Classic Rocker “95.1 The Fox” WFXF. Wease’s debut date is still not known as he must wait out the end of the non-compete clause in his old contract. In the interim, Wease will work in the sales department for the station while building a new team for his show.
Las Vegas Sports Shuffle
February 25, 2008
On Monday, March 3, Lotus Broadcasting will shift around the programming of its 3 Las Vegas AM outlets. The flagship of the group, “ESPN 920” KBAD will move to the 20kw day/2kw night signal of new sign-on 1100 KWWN. “Fox Sports 1460” KENO will then shift over to the 5kw day/500 watts night signal on 920. 1460’s 620 watt signal will pick up the Spanish language ESPN Deportes Radio.
Rushing in New Orleans
February 25, 2008
Since the launch of the news/talk format on 99.5 WRNO in November 2006, it has been known by the unwieldy name “The New 99.5FM.com“. But a nationally known personality could soon see himself as the primary brand of the station.
Rush Limbaugh currently airs on Entercom’s 870/105.3 WWL, however the personality syndicated by Clear Channel’s Premiere Radio Networks seems to be on his way across town as Clear Channel has registered the following domains: rush995.com, rush995fm.com, rushradio995.com, and 995rushradio.com.
Frequency Shift & New Format Coming to Little Rock
February 22, 2008
Over the past few weeks we’ve monitored Clear Channel prepare frequency shifts in many markets that will see stations spun-off. Now we add Little Rock to that list as The Arkansas Business Journal reports on Clear Channel’s plans to move the Classic Country format of “The Wolf” 106.7 KHKN to 105.1 KMJX, current Classic Rock “Magic 105.1“. 106.7, which is on the spinoff list, will become Variety Hits as “106.7 Tom-FM”, named after Tom Wood, a 27 year veteran of the market who will move from 105.1 to the new station.
105.1 has begun stunting with all Beatles in preparation of the flip to occur on March 3.
Martini 101.5 Shifts To Adult Alternative
February 21, 2008
Two weeks after flipping AC “Sassy 107″ to CHR “One-FM”, the Denver Radio Company is at it again. This time Modern Standards 101.5 KTNI “Martini on the Rockies” has shifted to a current based Adult Alternative as “Martini 101.5″. Although we think this may be the first “Alternative” tagged station to be playing Miley Cyrus.
95.3 Memphis Flips
February 21, 2008
We’re not exactly sure when this occurred since nobody else has reported on this. But sometime between New Years and now, Memphis rimshot “Flash 95.3″ WVIM dropped Oldies for Country as “95.3 The Rebel“.
WVIM is a Class A licensed to Coldwater, MS, about 21 miles south of Memphis.
CBS To Launch Teen Oriented HD/Webcaster
February 20, 2008
CBS Radio looks to be launching a youth-targeted CHR on KCBS-HD2 Los Angeles and online in the coming days. AMPRadio.com currently features a splash page featuring Hannah Montana, Paramore, Jordin Sparks, Justin Timberlake, Gwen Stefani, The Jonas Brothers, and “100,000 Amp2unes In A Row”.
Update: The stream is already up at http://cbsplayer.streamtheworld.com/index.php?CALLSIGN=KCBSHD2
Steve & Vikki Back in Atlanta
February 20, 2008
After 17 years at Jefferson Pilot/Lincoln Financial’s Hot AC WSTR “Star 94” Atlanta, morning team Steve McCoy and Vikki Locke left in November. On July 1, following the expiration of their non-compete clause, the pair will take over mornings at crosstown AC WSB-FM “B98.5“.
