Curtis Media has flipped 96.9 WBZJ Goldsboro, NC to CHR “Pulse FM“.
The move comes as 102.3 WWPL Smithfield, NC is about to be spun-off necessitating a need for a new signal to cover the Raleigh half of the market. The format will continue to air on 102.5 WPLW Hillsborough/Durham.
WBZJ dropped its Urban AC format and temporarily returned to its previous Regional Mexican “La Ley” format in March when 101.1 WYMY Burlington was off the air due to an ice storm. The 96.9 signal increases the format’s coverage in Eastern North Carolina as well as Raleigh proper with its 100kW at 300 meter signal.
Chris
The Pulse is just filling the void of what was 93.9 KISS FM, which became country music. A single R&B is not a competitive format these days. The more successful stations are now those that can get as much market share, playing almost all music genres. This is unfortunately the only way these stations can survive. So instead of just listening to R&B, you must listen to dancehall, pop and hiphop. Besides, WBZJ never could match up to FOXY 104.3. They are and still is the best station in the area for R&B. But WBZJ did at least offered a somewhat alternative to Fayetteville listeners who have to struggle with a very boring playlist. Unfortunately, 104.3 day coverage is non-existant on most radios and difficult at night in some places in Fayetteville. 106.9 was suppose to offer that alternative, but it sounds almost the same. It does have the hughleys show and the music is slightly better. However, it isn’t a full fledge music program. All I could wish is PULSE success. As I am a primary listener to WPTF.