iHeartMedia has flipped Urban AC “The New 97.7” WKAF Brockton/Boston MA to Rhythmic Classic Hits “97.7 The Beat“.
The new format is described by Senior Vice President of Programming Dylan Sprague as “If you grew up listening to Kiss 108 and JAM’N 945 in the 80s and 90s this station is for you.” Core artists are listed as Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey, Justin Timberlake, Madonna, Prince, TLC, and The Notorious B.I.G.
WKAF morning host KJ moves to afternoons with the format change, while “Kiss 108” WXKS-FM afternoon host Romeo will pull double duty in midday. A morning show has yet to be announced. Classic Rock 100.7 WZLX Program Director Chris Tyler will add those duties for WKAF.
The new format launched at 6am with Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” followed by Warren G/Nate Dogg “Regulate”, Rhianna/Jay Z “Umbrella”, Paula Abdul “Straight Up” and Missy Elliott “Work It”.
iHeartMedia Boston announced today the debut of The New 97.7 The Beat of Boston, effective immediately.
The New 97.7 The Beat of Boston will broadcast pop and rhythmic hits from the 80s, 90s and 2000s including songs from artists like Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey, Justin Timberlake, Madonna, Prince, TLC, and The Notorious B.I.G.
In addition, a variety of popular Boston on-air personalities will join the station. Listeners can tune in to hear Romeo hosting middays, while he retains his PM drive hosting duties on Kiss 108. Boston radio mainstay, KJ will host afternoon drive.
“If you grew up listening to Kiss 108 and JAM’N 945 in the 80s and 90s this station is for you,” said Dylan Sprague, Senior Vice President of Programming for the Boston Region. “With a playlist that is uniquely Boston, The New 97.7 The Beat of Boston is filled with songs that you haven’t heard on the radio in a long time.”
“Programming a station with this much energy and real variety is going to be a blast,” said Chris Tyler, Program Director for 100.7 WZLX and The New 97.7 The Beat of Boston. “The New 97.7 The Beat of Boston will make you feel good as we play the biggest hits throughout the decades and I know it will become a Boston favorite.”
The full program lineup will be announced at a later date. For more information and updates, listeners can visit the stations website as well as the stations Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @977thebeat.
