Cumulus Media has flipped Country “100.5 Nash-FM” WHLZ Marion/Florence SC to Hot AC “Q100.5” WQPD.
The new format will feature the syndicated Bob & Sheri morning show and Westwood One talent in other dayparts. The station had been stunting over the Easter weekend with “The Wheel of Decades” prior to launching the new format which positions WQPD between iHeartMedia CHR “103X” 103.3 WJMX-FM and Community Broadcasters Hot AC “Star 93.7” WSIM.
The flips brings the WHLZ Country brand to an end after over 30 years in the market. Debuting on 92.5 before moving to 100.5 in 2003 when the 92.5 frequency was moved into the Charleston market, its “Wheelz” brand was abandoned in favor of “Nash-FM” when Cumulus launched it in many markets in 2013. The station registered a 1.0 share in the Fall 2016 Nielsen Audio ratings.
Cumulus Media announces that WHLZ in Florence, SC, debuted its new Hot AC format on Monday, April 17, 2017, with the launch of Q100.5, the Pee Dee’s Best Music. The station, which also took on the new call letters, WQPD, moved from its previous Country format to play music by artists including: Adele, Katy Perry, Train, Pink, Bruno Mars, Kelly Clarkson, Rihanna, Coldplay, Taylor Swift, Jason Mraz and more. The station flipped to its new format at 6am yesterday, after stunting since last Friday at 5pm with a weekend programmed as “The Wheel of Decades”, playing music from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s in hourly rotation by decade. In addition, Q100.5, the Pee Dee’s Best Music, brought back popular morning team, Bob & Sheri, whose new show, “Bob & Sheri Mornings” will air weekdays from 6-10am. The station also launched its new website at www.Q1005.com.
Matt Scurry, Q100.5 Program Director, said: “We are always looking for new and exciting ways to keep our listeners entertained and informed. With the Hot AC format and Bob & Sheri in the mornings, we have hit on a great combination. Our initial positive listener response is a good indication that we made the right move at the right time.”
Craig Dalla Riva, Regional Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Media-Florence/Myrtle Beach, SC, said: “Bob & Sheri were the #1 ranked morning show in Florence for many years and I couldn’t be more thrilled to have the opportunity to bring them back to the local airwaves on Q100.5.”