After stunting with a loop of Q-Tip’s “Vivrant Thing” since 6pm on Friday, Max Media launched Urban Adult Hits “100.5 The Vibe” WVHT Norfolk VA at 5pm today.
The station is promoting it will launch with a “massive playlist” of Hip Hip, R&B, Classic Hip-Hop, and Classic Soul in the spirit of an Adult Hits station under the oversight of VP/Operations & Programming Eddie Haskell and Program Director Anthony ‘Tone Hollywood’ Wheeler.
Wheeler joins WVHT from SummitMedia Adult R&B “107.3 Jamz” WJMZ Anderson/Greenville SC where he was most recently APD/MD/midday host. The Hampton VA native spent his entire career in Greenville at WJMZ and sister Rhythmic CHR “Hot 98.1” WHZT until departing last week.
The station’s first hour consisted of:
- Stevie Wonder – Sir Duke
- Nas ft. Lauryn Hill – If I Ruled The World
- Luther Vandross – Never Too Much
- Trey Songz – Can’t Help But Wait
- Blackstreet – No Diggity
- Aaliyah – Rock The Boat
- Rick James – Super Freak
- Soul For Real – Candy Rain
- Nelly – Hot In Herre
- Tom Tom Club – Genius of Love
- Childish Gambino – Redbone
- Brandy – Have You Ever
- Sugarhill Gang – Rapper’s Delight
- Al Green – Let’s Stay Together
The move also sees the departures of former WVHT PD/midday host Paul McCoy and afternoon host Alex Waters. McCoy programmed WVHT for its entire thirteen year run as a Top 40. Waters joined the station in 2019 from “Hits 96.5” WDOD-FM Chattanooga, where he recently began co-hosting the “Gluten Free Radio Show” as a night show for syndication with Calista Liew.
After a 72 hour loop of the 1999 Grammy nominated “Vivrant Thing” by Q-Tip, Max Media – Hampton Roads has flipped (WVHT) HOT 100.5 to the all-new (WVHT) 100.5 The Vibe.
The first Urban Adults Hits station of its kind will be launching Monday, June 20th at 5:00pm EST. “We’re excited to bring a unique, new radio format to Hampton Roads. We will be playing a massive playlist of Urban, R&B, Classic Hip-Hop, and Classic Soul in the spirit of the Adult Hits format. A ton of variety, not only in title count but musical styles. Because, why not?”, said Eddie Haskell Vice President of Operations and Programming.
Anthony “Tone Hollywood” Wheeler has been tapped to be the Brand Manager for the newly launched station. Tone was most recently the midday on-air personality for the Urban AC Juggernaut 107.3 JAMZ in Greenville, SC. Tone remarked, “757 music lovers we have exactly what you have been looking for. A station that plays basically everything! All of the hits that you grew up on and love! One listen to our playlist, and you will say “WOW This is a VIBE!”
Original Report 4/17: Max Media will be launching “100.5 The Vibe” on what was CHR “Hot 100” WVHT Norfolk.
After we first indicated the flip was coming this morning in our Domain Insight report, WVHT began stunting at 6pm with a loop of Q-Tip’s “Vivrant Thing”. Sweepers between the loop brand the station with its new “100.5 The Vibe” identity.
The move will position the station against either Audacy’s market leading “R&B 95.7” WVKL or iHeartMedia Hip Hop “103 Jamz” WOWI. The timing of the stunting would appear to lead to a launch around the Juneteenth holiday on Sunday or Monday.
The move marks the end of the thirteen year-old CHR brand after launching in April 2009. WVHT had a 2.8 share in the May 2022 Nielsen Audio ratings tying with Audacy’s competing “Z104” WNVZ.
