West Virginia Radio Corporation has flipped Classic Rock “107.3 K-Rock” WKAZ Miami/Charleston, WV to what it is describing as “America’s very first no rules radio station” after a day of stunting with American themed songs.
The broad Variety Hits station is positioning itself as “Party Songs For Party People” with a mix of CHR and Country currents, and gold tracks dating back to the 1970s. The new format appears directed towards students at The University Of West Virgina.
A sample hour from Friday at 7pm featured:
5 Seconds Of Summer – She Looks So Perfect
Little Big Town – Day Drinkin’
Great White – Once Bitten Twice Shy
Demi Lovato – Really Don’t Care
Gin Blossoms – Hey Jealousy
Mary J. Blige – Family Affair
Ed Sheeran – Don’t
Brad Paisley – Riverbank
Rage Against The Machine – Bulls On Parade
Eminem – Lose Yourself
Dierks Bentley – Drunk On A Plane
Kool Moe Dee – Wild Wild West
The Black Crowes – Jealous Again
Maroon 5 – Maps
StogieGuy 
oasisrulz 
Mark 
BRH 
david1960 
“The new format appears directed towards students at The University Of West Virgina.”
The only problem with this idea is that WVU is in Morgantown, which a couple of hours northeast of the Charleston area and which is not within range of this station. However, many fans of WVU are certainly in the area so the school colors would resonate in the market.
To me, this sounds like a very interesting and clever programming idea for a market with the tastes and demographics of Charleston. Great way to get younger audiences while keeping the adults around too. And it would appeal to both genders. I’ll be interested to see if it works!
RATM, oy vey iz mir, a failure already….
Disagree on the RATM. I’m 47 and love the idea of this format….including the RATM. I gotta think students in their 20’s would too. The only song I thought was a stinker was the Great White.
And of course WFMU and some college stations would beg to differ on the “first no rules radio station” claim.
From streaming for awhile, I really like this station. A mix of uptempo country & CHR along with a few classic rock anthems could really work in the South & the heartland. This looks just like a lot of the personal playlists of a lot of 20 somethings I know who live in these mid sized heartland markets.
Any info on how the station is faring? It’s proving to be really fun to listen to.