John Sebastian has debuted his new 55+ format “The Wow Factor” on Riviera Broadcasting’s 95.1 KOAI Sun City West/94.9 K235CB Chandler AZ.
With a AAAish presentation and a broad mix of music featuring Oldies, Country, Adult Rock and Deep Cuts so far, the format replaces 70s/80s Classic Hits “The Oasis“. In the August 2019 Nielsen Audio PPM ratings KOAI held a 1.5 share of the Phoenix audience. The new format positions KOAI/K235CB towards Hubbard’s “Oldies 92.7” 1440 KAZG/92.7 K224CJ and Classic Rock 100.7 KSLX.
Sebastian, who will serve as Program Director of KOAI, has previously programmed Rockers 93.3 KDKB, 97.9 KUPD, and 100.7 KSLX in Phoenix among other programming stops that include KDWB Minneapolis, KHJ, KTWV and KZLA Los Angeles, KPLX Dallas, WSM-FM Nashville, and WJMK Chicago among many others.
The first hour of The Wow Factor featured:
- Moody Blues – Ride My Seesaw
- Beatles – Here Comes The Sun
- Chicago – Does Anyone Know What Time It Is
- Keith Urban – You’ll Think Of Me
- Beach Boys – God Only Knows
- Coldplay – Viva La Vida
- Aerosmith – Sweet Emotion
- Alan Jackson – Remember When
- Bee Gees – Stayin’ Alive
- Elton John – Levon
- Ambrosia – How Much I Feel
- Creedance Clearwater Revival – Who’ll Stop The Rain
- Journey – Lights
Riviera Broadcasting has announced that legendary programmer, John Sebastian, has joined Riviera Broadcasting as Program Director/Consultant of KOAI 95.1/94.9. John will be evolving KOAI into a new unique music format, The WOW Factor. KOAI will be the first radio station in the country to launch this exciting curation, built exclusively for Baby Boomers and 45+ Gen Xers.
Sebastian has programmed major market radio stations in Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Washington D.C., Boston, Seattle, and Phoenix.
He is the most successful turnaround Program Director in radio. Sebastian has created historic successes in multiple diverse formats and with some of the most legendary radio stations including CHR KDWB/Minneapolis, AOR/Rock WCOZ/Boston, Smooth Jazz KTWV/Los Angeles, Classic Rock KSLX/Phoenix, Country WSM/Nashville. With significant Phoenix heritage, Sebastian has programmed successfully on three previous occasions at KUPD, KSLX, and KDKB.
John stated, “KOAI will be the first of many WOW Factor stations across America with an eclectic mix of music researched and curated for Baby Boomers.” Michael Cutchall, CEO of Riviera Broadcasting, commented, “John has been one of the most innovative programmers in the history of radio. There is no one better to connect with listeners and communities in his approach and philosophy to programming. His excitement to join our team is contagious and his desire to win is relentless.”
dudefromva 
Eric Jon Magnuson 
TacticalThunder 
cardiolover
Their webstream is apparently only able to be heard in certain areas. I’m in Virginia and I can’t listen because “this station is not streaming to your geographic area at the moment.”
I’m in D.C. and also am geo-blocked. However, if you hit “Continue”, you can still see the active playlist; after “Sweet Emotion”, it’s been…
“Remember When” – Alan Jackson
“Stayin’ Alive” – Bee Gees
“Levon” – Elton John
“How Much I Feel” – Ambrosia
“Who’ll Stop The Rain” – CCR
Well, so far, I’m not too Wowed. The Drive out of Tucson has caught most of my attention lately. We’ll see what happens.
I’m impressed somewhat. I’ve heard several songs I haven’t heard in years. And they don’t play the same ole stuff the other stations play over and over. I live in Peoria, AZ.