Update: Clear Channel has quickly confirmed that “Kiss 105.5” will become “Kiss 95.9” next week.
Original Report 2/9: In November, Clear Channel’s Aloha Stations Trust announced the sale of Classic Hits “92.1 The Wave” WLBW Fenwick Island, DE and CHR “Kiss 105.5” WDKZ Salisbury, MD to EMF Broadcasting in order to get under the limit of stations it is allowed to operate in the Salisbury market. With EMF planning to flip the stations to its KLove and Air-1 Christian networks the future of the existing formats in the market has been questioned.
It appears as though the Kiss CHR format will survive once EMF takes over 92.1 and 105.5. Clear Channel has registered Kiss959FM.com to transfer the programming to what is currently “95.9 The Sports Animal” WOSC.
In the recent fall Arbitron ratings, Kiss 105.5 registered a 3.7 share on its 2.1kw Class A signal. 95.9’s Sports format registered a 1.2 on its stronger 10kw Class B stick. The move will give Kiss better position to compete with Great Scott’s market leading Rhythmic CHR “OC 104” 103.9 WOCQ.
Should have happened years ago. The resort areas and most of Sussex County, DE will be able to receive Kiss after this move, though 95.9 doesn’t have quite as good a signal in Salisbury itself.
Look for one of the struggling stations in the eastern part of the market (97.1, 101.1, 101.7, 107.7) to pick up Oldies after the flip.
101.1 WQMR has recently shifted to a very broad 70’s to today AC format with the exception of a midday talk show. If they don’t go all the way Classic Hits, i could also see Delmarva’s low rated Smooth Jazz 97.1 WQJZ either duplicating or simulcasting the format of “Cool 101.3” WNCL.
The sports format currently on 95.9 is moving to AM 960 in Salisbury (per DCRTV.com).