As we approach the Labor Day weekend there seems to be heightened activity on the format change front, especially with nine markets switching to PPM ratings in October. This entry will be a catch-all for all changes and rumors happening this week:
Update 9/6 – Format Changes in Lubbock, Idaho Falls. New Station in Edmonton. And a Move-In to Phoenix.
Confirmed Flips:
Monday 9/6 – Oldies “Rock & Roll 1260” KBSZ Apache Junction, AZ adds an FM translator at 96.1 and begins targeting the Eastern portions of the Phoenix market as News/Talk “NBC 1260“.
Monday 9/6 – Harvard Broadcasting has launched Modern Rock “95.7 The Sound” CKEA Edmonton, AB.
Monday 9/6 – Sand Hill Media has brought “Gen X Radio” to Idaho Falls via 107.1 KQEO HD2 and translator 92.5 K223BU.
Monday 9/6 – Wilkes Broadcasting’s “Mix 100” KMMX Lubbock, TX has segued from Hot AC to CHR.
Friday 9/3 – After stunting with All Beatles since Monday, Convergent Broadcasting’s AC “Star 107.3” KRSR Corpus Christi, TX has returned to its previous incarnation of Variety Hits “Jake-FM”. Jake had been on the frequency from July 2005 to May 2009.
Friday 9/3 – Millennium Radio Group has flipped Standards 1160 WOBM Lakewood and “Fox Sports 1310” WADB Asbury Park, NJ to “Good Time Oldies”.
Thurs 9/2 – As we first reported on Monday, Clear Channel has flipped Rhythmic CHR “Hot 93.9” KIKI Honolulu to Rhythmic Oldies “93.9 Jamz”
Thurs 9/2 – Just 9 months after flipping from Classic Country to Modern AC “98.1 LND“, Clear Channel has shifted the station to a more pure Hot AC sound with as My 98.1.
Thurs 9/2 – Following the flip of 102.5 KDWZ Duluth, MN to CHR on Monday, crosstown Red Rock Radio has flipped AC “92.1 Lite FM” WWAX to Hot AC “Nu 92“.
Wed 9/1 – 94.1 KPVR Bowling Green, MO (suburban St. Louis) has been LMA’d to Westplex Radio and has flipped to News/Talk “Westplex 94.1“. KPVR was previously home to CCM “Joy-FM” prior to their move to 99.1 in July. More at STLMedia.net.
Mon 8/30 – Midwest Communications has flipped Classic Rock 102.5 KHQG Superior, WI/Duluth, MN to CHR as KDWZ.
Mon 8/30 – Clear Channel Classic Rock “Big 100.3” WBIG-FM Washington, DC has dropped its entire airstaff including morning host Jon Ballard and rebranded as “The Bigger Better Big 100.3” with a new web domain of TheBigDC.com.
Mon 8/30 – East Carolina Radio flips a trio of its stations in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Active Rock 98.1 WOBX Manteo, NC is now Variety Hits “Nick Radio”. AM simulcasters 1240 WCNC Elizabeth City and 1260 WZBO Edenton have dropped Regional Mexican “La Grand D” for Classic Country. More at VARTV.com.
Rumors:
Friday 9/3 – In Peoria, Michael Rea’s Advanced Media Properties appears ready to change formats at two of the four stations it recently acquired from Independence Media. Former Modern Rock “99.9 The Buzz” is currently stunting with a broad mix of music including everything from Frank Sinatra, M.C. Hammer, and The Shins. WWCT999.com will be the station’s new online home. Rea was station manager of WWCT when it was an AOR located at 105.7 in the 1980’s.
Another of Rea’s stations is also in line for a change. Oldies “Hippie Radio 101.1” WHPI will soon be shifting to Variety Hits as Jack1011.com was also registered to Rea last week.
Friday 9/3 – Currently silent 107.7 WPFX Luckey, OH appears to be close to to making its move into the Toledo market. Station owner Dan Dudley registered 1077Wolf.com hinting at the station’s future identity.
Wed 9/1 – Not sure if this means the station’s debut is imminent, however the registration of KQIE1047.com by Todd Wood of sister company Rincon Broadcasting gives another hint at the pending debut of LC Media’s 104.7 KQIE Riverside/San Bernardino, CA, which has been silent since signing off from its previous location in Palm Springs. We have previously reported that LC Media head Roy Laughlin registered PirateRadio1047.com in October 2009.
Wed 9/1 – Monticello Media will be rebranding “Country 99.7” WCYK Charlotteville, VA. Registrations have been made for Hitkicker997.com and Hitkicker997.net.
Wed 9/1 – After breaking off 93.7 WXJY Georgetown, SC from the simulcast of Sports “93.9 The Team“, Cumulus is about to give 1050 WIQB Conway, SC its own format. Based on the registration of Gospel1050.com, two of Myrtle Beach’s four AM’s will have Gospel programming.
Wed 9/1 – Magic Broadcasting will give “Sportstalk 103.9” WJRL Fort Rucker/Dothan, AL its fifth format in five years. Rock104Dothan.com points to a return to one of the various Rock formats the station has recently held. These include Classic Rock “Thunder 103.9“, Variety Hits “My 103.9″, and Active Rock “103.9 The Edge“.
