WestCoast Media has announced it has acquired Spanish Tropical “La Bahia” 1150 WTMP Tampa from Davidson Media and will return the station to its heritage Urban AC programming via LMA on Thursday, May 1.

The resurrected WTMP will carry the syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show, the Rev. Al Sharpton, James Fortune and D.L. Hughley along with a local 10am-1pm program hosted by former WTMP PD/Host Larry Steele. Terms of the purchase have yet to be disclosed nor has the deal been filed with the FCC.

WTMP will launch with a commercial free mix of old-school R&B, soul, funk and jazz until Monday, May 5.

WTMP was the black voice of the Tampa community for 57 years until Davidson Media acquired it and sister 96.1 WTMP-FM Dade City out of bankruptcy in September 2011 and promptly flipped both stations to Spanish language formats.

WestCoast Media, LLC announces the purchase of AM 1150 WTMP and its plans to return the dial to its long-time urban, contemporary format. The station, which was purchased in 2011 and abruptly switched to a Hispanic focus, will return with the best in old school R&B, funk, jazz and community programming. The station will re-launch with popular syndicated shows like the Tom Joyner Morning Show, the Rev. Al Sharpton Show, the James Fortune Show and the D.L. Hughley Show. The station will also offer a mid-morning show (10am-1pm) hosted by WTMP veteran Larry Steele. The all new AM 1150 WTMP will kick off this Thursday, May 1st with commercial free music and programming will begin at 6am on Monday, May 5th with the Tom Joyner Morning Show. WestCoast Media, LLC named Lawrence Hires as the station’s general manager and brought Angela Brewton back on as the local sales manager. Station information and updates are available at www.am1150wtmp.com, on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

WestCoast Media, LLC executives are extremely excited to bring AM 1150 WTMP back to the Bay. “We’ve been gone for way too long. This community needs its voice back and AM 1150 WTMP is that voice,” says Lawrence Hires, General Manager. While the station has all new ownership, it will keep some fan favorites from the past. The station will host a VIP listening reception on Friday, May 9th with the fans and radio staff. Listeners can enter to win on the website, social media and on air with Larry Steele.