RadioInsight

Update 6/1/09: As expected, 107.5 relaunched as “107.5 The Eagle” with Dean & Rog’s debut this morning.

Original Post 5/20/09: Cox Radio has changed the call letters of Classic Hits “K-Hits 107.5” KHTC Houston to KGLK. On June 1, Dean & Rog, the longtime morning team at crosstown Classic Rock KKRW “93.7 The Arrow” are to debut on the station following the expiration of their non-compete. Is a full rebranding of the station to accompany the debut of the new morning show? Looks like it, as 1075theeagle.com was registered in April by Cox’s registrar. Cox operates Classic Hits stations using “The Eagle” branding in Birmingham, Dayton, Jacksonville and Tampa.

Thanks to @stelly on Twitter for bringing the scoop.

Update 6/1/09: At 5:00pm, KPWT did become “FM Talk 106.7” with the following lineup:

5am – 8am: Mancow
8am – 11am: Neal Boortz
11am – 2pm: Laura Ingraham
2pm – 5pm: Clark Howard
5pm – 9pm: Michael Savage
9pm – 12am: Dr. Laura Schlessinger
12am – 3am: Phil Hendrie
3am – 5am: Jerry Doyle

Update 5/28/09 1:30pm: At 12:00pm Central Time, KPWT segued from Urban to a stunt with Christmas Music. The station is hyping that “The Conversation Will Continue Monday At 5:00pm”.

Original Post 5/27/09: Cox Radio’s Rhythmic CHR “Power 106.7” KPWT San Antonio will flip to Talk as “FM Talk 106.7“. The lineup will consist of all syndicated hosts including Mancow in morning drive.

Update 6/4/09: After a few days of signal testing and stunting as Talk, Soft AC, and Modern Rock, 93.1 debuted its official format as “Classic 93.1“. Using one of the Clear Channel “Premium Choice” formats, the music and jocks are identical to those at WOLZ Fort Myers and KQLL Tulsa.

Update 6/1/09: The first step towards the launch of the new 93.1 in Sacramento will take place today as KOSO Patterson/Modesto shifts from 93.1 to 92.9. This will pave the way for the sign-on of the new signal in the Sacramento market.

Additionally the above image has replaced the one below on the Clear Channel server. We think both are decoys and the new station will either be Rhythmic AC utilizing the 931FeelIt.com domain or a last minute audible will be called and the station will go Modern Rock taking the lost KWOD audience.

Original Post 5/21/09: While KWOD has Sacramento buzzing, Clear Channel is preparing to launch a new signal in the market. When 93.1 KHJQ Pollack Pines completes its move to the Sacramento market, it appears as though “Classic 93.1” will be the new name.

Clear Channel has registered a number of new domains the past few days: 931feelit.com, 931hot.com, groove931.com, soft931.com, and talk931.com. Right now only the aforementioned Classic931.com is active and the logo above is on the Clear Channel server as KCLX-FM.

CBS Radio has announced that legendary Alternative “WHFS” will return to Washington, DC on Wednesday at Noon via the HD2 subchannel of “94.7 Fresh FM” WTGBand online at HFS2.com. Longtime WHFS personality Cerphe will host the first two hours tomorrow, although it is unknown at this time whether he will continue to be a part of the new incarnation, which will also include HFStival performances and artist interviews much like CBS’s WNEW.com in New York.

Since its debut on 102.3 in Bethesda, MD in the 70’s, WHFS has shifted from 99.1 Annapolis to its most recent incarnation on 105.7 in Baltimore. The calls are currently parked on Talk “1580 The Big Talker” in Morningside, MD.

New sign-on 106.1 WJRV Oliver Springs/Knoxville, TN has debuted bringing back a former station name back to the market. “106.1 The River” resurrects the branding that resided on 100.3 (and later 98.7) WOKI earlier this decade. The format lies in between AAA and Hot AC and includes many voicetracked jocks from Waitt Radio Networks.

North Texas Public Broadcasting, owners of NPR News/Talk 90.1 KERA-FM Dallas, has announced the acquisition of Christian Talk 91.7 “The Truth” KVTT from Covenant Educational Media for $18 Million. Upon closure of the sale the station will flip to AAA.

Just a few weeks following 107.3 WKLQ Grand Rapids dropping Rock for Sports, another Western Michigan FM looks to be making the same move. Clear Channel’s “Radio X 96.1” WMAX-FM looks to be dropping Alternative for ESPN Radio. Clear Channel has registered ESPN961.com and ESPNWestMichigan.com. Meanwhile, a Twitter account for the new station has appeared with the following statement heralding the new format “West Michigan, we’re coming to your radio this summer, ESPN RADIO 96.1 FM“.

Capital Broadcasting Bright AC KBZN Ogden/Salt Lake City, UT has rebranded as “Now 97.9“. The station had shifted from Smooth Jazz to AC late in 2008, but had kept its “Breeze” moniker until recently. Musically the station is similar to CBS’ “Fresh” branded stations.

Meanwhile, Clear Channel has rebranded crosstown AC KOSY as “Today’s 106.5” presumably to counter Now’s presentation.

Over the past few years a number of moves have been made to move stations in and out of the Charleston, SC market. The final piece of that puzzle has been put into place as Apex Broadcasting’s WSPO Isle of Palms has signed on with Classic Hits as “FM 95.9“.

The move-in required the following steps to occur: