Cox Radio has flipped Rhythmic CHR “95.5 The Beat” WBTS Atlanta to a simulcast of News/Talk 750 WSB. WSB has struggled slightly in the ratings since the flip to PPM measurement, as its lack of younger listeners has become more noticeable. The addition of the FM signal, a move that Cox has made in recent years in Tulsa, Dayton, and Jacksonville will give WSB a chance to reach listeners that normally don’t find their way onto the AM band.
The Beat’s format will continue jockless on 97.1 WSRV HD-2 and as a webcast, although Clear Channel’s similarly formatted “105.7 The Groove” WWVA-FM stands to benefit from The Beat’s demise.
I wonder if this flip is being made out of the chance that there may soon be “performer royalities” charged to radio stations that play music.
I think even the fear of a “performence tax” is prompting many radio stations to increase the nunmber of talk-oriented formats on FM.