Curtis Media is in the process of rebranding “96 Rock” WBBB Raleigh/Durham as “Radio 96.1“.
The station’s new website features a letter explaining the changes to include a broader playlist and a jockless presentation. Listen to the launch of “Radio 96.1” at FormatChange.com.
You told us you wanted to hear a greater diversity of songs with music spanning from the 80s with artists such as Guns N Roses, REM and John Mellencamp; to 90s music from Nirvana, Gin Blossoms and Green Day, to Classic Rock from Led Zeppelin, Steve Miller Band and Aerosmith and even some newer music by artists like Nickelback and Linkin Park.
You also said you wanted to hear A LOT more music, without a whole bunch of useless talk. And that’s why Radio 96.1 will always deliver “More Music” and “Less Blah Blah Blah.” Our goal is to make Radio 96.1 the best reflection of your musical tastes and preferences.
The change comes as Clear Channel’s “100.7 The River” WRVA-FM is running Christmas music in place of its normal Classic Rock format leaving WBBB as the only Rock outlet in Raleigh/Durham.
The first hour of “Radio 96.1” consisted of:
Blondie – One Way Or Another
The Police – Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic
The Red Hot Chili Peppers – Soul To Squeeze
Kid Rock – All Summer Long
Bryan Adams – Run To You
Matchbox Twenty – 3 A.M.
Bruce Springsteen – Hungry Heart
R.E.M. – Man On The Moon
The Eagles – The Long Run
Loverboy – Lovin’ Every Minute Of It
Bob Marley & The Wailers – One Love
REO Speedwagon – Keep On Loving You
INXS – Need You Tonight
Supertramp – Give A Little Bit
.38 Special – Hold On Loosely
Yeah, the website for Radio 96.1 has the option to “Like Us On Facebook.” I laughed my butt off when only four people out of approximately a hundred did. The other posts consisted of “What happened?”, “Bring back 96 Rock!”, and “I’m taking 96.1 off my car radio preset.” Why in the world did 96 Rock mess up a good thing?
Around 12 years ago I dumped WRDU because I could not stand all the talk and this fresh new comer came on the scene doing nothing but playing good music.
96Rock lost it’s way when it went with the morning zoo crew and then totally lost me when it brought in Bob the Blade to make drive time focused on two guys zany talk rather than the music.
I now listen to 92.3 out og Greensboro, but am happy to see Curtis Media take steps to bring 96 back to what made it great.
What is Clear Channel thinking about the River. They remained my #2 preset even after I switched from 96 to 92.3, but dumped them when the went Christmas. I can only guess they will come back after the new year with a new format.