CBS Radio CHR “96.5 Amp Radio” WZMP Philadelphia flipped to Hot AC “Today’s 96.5” at 10am today.

Bobby Smith remains in place as Program Director for the younger skewing AC positioning WZMP between market leading “101.1 More-FM” WBEB and iHeartMedia’s combination of CHR “Q102” WIOQ and Hot AC “Mix 106.1” WISX. The change follows the exits of morning host Jason Cage and afternoon host Mike Adam at the end of 2016. WZMP is now positioning as “Better Variety, Fewer Commercials”.

Then Rhythmic CHR “Wired 96.5” relaunched as “Amp Radio 96.5” in April 2015 following CBS’ acquisition of the station from Beasley. WZMP has settled in around a 3.0 share 6+, but has failed to dethrone iHeart’s WIOQ as the primary CHR in the market. The new format could help CBS chip away at WBEB enough to help sister Classic Hits 98.1 WOGL replace it at the top of the 25-54 demographic.

The first hour of “Today’s 96.5” featured:
Pink – Raise Your Glass
Shawn Mendes – Treat You Better
Blink 182 – All The Small Things
Mark Ronson / Bruno Mars – Uptown Funk
Adele – Set Fire To Rain
Maroon 5 – Sugar
Sheryl Crow – All I Wanna Do
Justin Beiber – Love Yourself
Mary J. Blige – Family Affair
Sara Bareillis – Brave
Jimmy Eat World – The Middle
Lukas Graham – 7 Years
One Direction – What Makes You Beautiful
Katy Perry – Firework

CBS RADIO Philadelphia will debut WZMP-FM as Today’s 96.5, beginning today at 10 am. The station promises “Better Variety, Fewer Commercials” featuring an adult-contemporary format serving fans in the Delaware Valley with today’s most popular hits from both new and established artists, including Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry, Maroon 5, P!NK, Taylor Swift, and more. Today’s 96.5 will also feature limited commercial interruptions. Bobby Smith will serve as the station’s program director overseeing the music line-up, events and partnerships and community engagements.

“We are excited to debut Today’s 96.5 with a mix of music that will engage our audience on air, on-line and onsite at concerts and local events,” said David Yadgaroff, Senior Vice President and Market Manager of CBS RADIO Philadelphia. “Today’s 96.5 will bring fun and upbeat programming to Philadelphia radio. We will also offer the local and national advertising market unique sponsorship opportunities across all of our platforms.”

Program Director Bobby Smith added, “This is a station that will make you forget that you’re still at work with one great song after another while delivering on the promise of having fewer interruptions so you can always look forward to hearing another great song.”