Update 8/15: As we first reported in early July, Broadcast Company of America’s Classic Hits “105.7 The Walrus” XHPRS-FM Tecate MX/San Diego will relaunch on Monday as “105.7 Max-FM“.
The rebranding accompanies the station’s musical shift to hits of the late 70s through early 90s. Jack Diamond has been named the new morning host at Max following John Nolan’s exit a few weeks ago. Diamond, best known for his 24 year run at “Mix 107.3” WRQX Washington DC previously worked in the San Diego market in mornings at Country 97.3 KSON before heading to Washington. He will be accompanied by incumbent co-host Kim Morrison and producer Kayla Yap. Christina Martinez has also joined the station for afternoons replacing Rich ‘Brother’ Robbin after his retirement last week.
After six years on the air as the Walrus 105.7 FM, Broadcast Company of the Americas is rebranding the station as 105.7 MAX-FM.
The idea of rebranding was to bring ‘Maximum’ music, ‘Maximum’ variety, ‘Maximum’ fun and ‘Maximum’ audience. “It’s an exciting time for us at BCA Radio as we unveil our new logo and rebranded name and the final evolution of our musical recipe,” Mike Shepard, Programming-Operations Manager explained.
Shepard continues, “The Classic Hits format has evolved over the years from 60s-70s to 70s-80s. Based on extensive market research in San Diego, we saw a demand for a fun, upbeat station focused on the biggest hits from the late 70s all the way through the early 90s, ‘songs that make you feel good!’”
“While our music mix had already progressed to that point, our research also indicated that the ‘Walrus’ brand was primarily associated by the market with 60s music. Thus, the rebranding to 105.7 MAX-FM.”
With the rebranding comes an exciting announcement of Radio Legend, Jack Diamond returning to the San Diego airwaves, joining co-host Kim Morrison and producer Kayla Yap in the mornings, Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. The new show will be known as ““The Jack Diamond Morning Show”, with Kim and Kayla.”
Diamond has worked in radio on both the East and West coasts for over 25 years. His extensive experience includes legendary call-letters such as KNBR San Francisco, WABC New York, WQXI “94-Q” Atlanta, and WRQX Washington, where Diamond has hosted one of DC’s top-rated morning shows for over 24 years.
Jack returns to the San Diego market where he hosted KSON’s top rated morning show in the early 1990s, and also appeared nightly on KNSD-TV doing weather and entertainment reporting. “We are thrilled to welcome him back home,” Mike Shepard added.
Diamond has also performed as a stand-up comedian and opened for comedians such as Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno and Tim Allen. Jack’s band has shared the bill with national touring acts such as Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, The Moody Blues, and Elton John, as well as headlining their own shows.
“We are thrilled to have such an exciting and talented entertainer join the newly rebranded 105.7 MAX-FM. Jack brings an added dimension to mornings in San Diego, with energy, humor and passion,” Norm Feuer, Vice President-Market Manager said when asked about the addition of Diamond.
The new MAX line-up includes Diamond from 6-9am, Jay Coffey 9am-2pm, and Christina Martinez joins MAX for afternoon drive 2-7pm.
Diamond explained how he was feeling about his move back to San Diego, “When I left San Diego before my 24-year run with ABC radio in Washington, DC, I told my KSON PD, Mike Shepard, that I’d be back. He said, ‘Great, when you’re ready call me!’ and I did. California Dreamin’ has once again become a reality. Shepard and Market Manager Norm Feuer have a great strategic plan, and we have two great partners in place in Kim & Kayla. Let the games begin!”
Update 8/7: Another shoe in the 105.7 XHRPS-FM saga has dropped as afternoon host Rich Brother Robbin is retiring following his program on Friday, August 8.
LARadio.com reports that Robbin is ending his radio career after 56 years on his own terms. Robbin is best known for his time at KCBQ San Diego and multiple Los Angeles station but has spent time on-air, programming, management, and ownership across the country. Robbin is the second “105.7 The Walrus” staffer to exit in recent weeks.
Update 7/20: As we await the full revamp of “105.7 The Walrus“, changes have begun at the station. SanDiegoRadio.org reports that morning host John Nolan has exited. Co-host Kim Morrison remains in the daypart.
Update 7/6: As is a usual affair after we first pinpoint domains directed at a potential relaunch of a station, BCA Radio has registered quite a few decoy domains (including a couple with the frequency reversed) for XHPRS-FM.
The new domains are: 1057DiveFM.com, 1057JillFM.com, 1057SurfFM.com, 1075HappyFM.com, Dive1057FM.com, Dive1057FMSanDiego.com, Happy1057FMSanDiego.com, Happy1075FM.com, Jill1057FM.com, Jill1057FMSanDiego.com, Q1057FM.com, Q1057FMSanDiego.com, SurfFM1057.com, SurfFMSD1057.com, VogueFM105.com, VogueFM1057FM.com, VogueFM1057SDFM.com, Your1057FM.com, YourFM1057.com, and YourFM1057SD.com.
Original Report 7/2: A relaunch is coming to Broadcast Company of the Americas Classic Hits “105.7 The Walrus” XHPRS-FM Tecate MX/San Diego.
Radio San Diego has registered 1057Max.com, 1057MaxFM.com, 1057MaxFMSD.com, 1057SDMax.com, and Max1057FM.com for the station. XHPRS-FM has been de-emphasizing the Walrus moniker in recent weeks as the music playlist has segued away from its 1960s/1970s center to the 1980s.
XHPRS-FM currently ranks 20th in the San Diego market with a 2.6 share in the May 2014 Nielsen Audio PPM ratings.
