After stunting for a couple of days as “Halloween Radio” following its move from Hattiesburg MS into New Orleans, iHeartMedia flipped 103.7 WFFX Marrero/New Orleans LA to Hot AC “Voodoo 103.7” at 5pm today.
The new format is positioning as “New Orleans’ 90s To Now” and launched with Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse”, Cutting Crew “(I Just) Died in Your Arms”, Shabozey “A Bar Song (Tipsy)”, Savage Garden “Truly Madly Deeply”, and Ed Sheeran “Bad Habits”. The station will feature the syndicated “Murphy, Sam & Jodi” morning show based at sister AC “96.1 The River” KRVE Baton Rouge. Former “Bayou 95.7” WKBU Program Director Kat Vance joins for afternoons. Vance had been with WKBU from 2007 until November 2023 after stints at multiple Rock stations in her native New England. iHeart national trackers Jennie James in middays and Michelle Fay at night round out the lineup.
iHeart Louisiana/Arkansas SVP/Programming Bob Murphy said, “It’s exciting to launch a fresh station concept with a beloved New Orleans radio brand name from the 2010s and air talent who call South Louisiana home.”.
Executive VP of Programming Angela Watson-Charles added, “VooDoo is what the energy of New Orleans is all about-fun and full of culture! We’re super excited to reintroduce this station and to connect with our listeners!”
The move resurrects the “Voodoo” brand that had been heard 104.1 KVDU from 2011 to 2017 first with the 90s based “Gen X Radio” format before segueing to Rhythmic AC and then Hot AC. KVDU completed its move to the Baton Rouge market simultaneously with the move of WFFX to New Orleans flipping from Variety Hits “104.1 The Spot” to Adult R&B “104.1 The Vibe“.
Now licensed to Marrero LA, WFFX moved to the tower utilized by co-owned Conservative Talk 99.5 WRNO-FM and Country 101.1 WNOE New Orleans along with other stations as a Class C2 with 12kW/306m. The move was part of a multi-facility shift involving six stations in Louisiana and Mississippi triggered by the destruction of the 2000 foot tower utilized by KVDU and Cumulus Media Alternative “Alt 92.3” WZRH LaPlace by Hurricane Ida in August 2021.
The new format positions the station between Audacy’s duo of CHR “B97” WEZB and AC “Magic 101.9” WLMG. WEZB is currently fourth in the market (and highest ranked non-iHeart station) with a 5.3 share and WLMG is sixth with a 4.6 share in the September 2024 Nielsen Audio ratings.
