With the debut of Radio Button Network’s Ace & TJ Show this morning, SummitMedia has rebranded Hot AC “97.3 Play” WPYA Gardendale/Birmingham AL as “Mix 97.3“.
Ace & TJ had been heard on iHeartMedia CHR “103.7 The Q” WQEN for nineteen years until the end of March, while WPYA had been jockless in mornings. The station is still focusing on pop hits from the 2000s to now.
WPYA currently ranks tied for sixteenth in the Birmingham market with a 1.5 share. SummitMedia has now rebranded all three of its “Play” branded stations in recent weeks as AC “106.9 Play” WVEZ Louisville became “Mix 106.9” and Hot AC “103.7 Play” WURV Richmond rebranded as “103.7 Your Variety“.
Original Report 4/1: After nineteen years in mornings on iHeartMedia CHR “103.7 The Q” WQEN Trussville/Birmingham AL, Radio Button Network’s Ace & TJ Show was missing in action today.
Based at iHeart’s “Hits 96.1” WHQC Charlotte, WQEN had been one of the show’s longest running affiliates. The show will not be off the air in Birmingham for long as it will move across-town to SummitMedia Hot AC “Play 97.3” WPYA Gardendale/Birmingham on Monday, April 5. The move to WPYA follows SummitMedia adding the show at Classic Hits “Awesome 100.9” WJSR Richmond and Alternative “X98.5” W253BG Greenville SC in recent weeks. Expect a rebranding at WPYA to accompany the launch of the show.
Alabama Cole, most recently part of the Carla Marie & Anthony Show at iHeartMedia’s “106.1 Kiss-FM” KBKS Seattle, debuted in mornings this morning at WQEN. No word yet if this is temporary or permanent. Cole has also hosted middays and mornings at Country “Big 95.5” WEBG Chicago, MD/afternoon host at “Now 105.3” WNOH Norfolk and on-air at “Now 97.5” WJIM-FM Lansing.
Birmingham Radio Family… Pack up your stuff because we’re moving!! Starting Monday, the Radio Family’s new home in Birmingham is 97.3! We’ll see you Monday morning starting at 5am on 97.3, the new home for the Ace & TJ Show in Birmingham! #alabama #birmingham
— The Ace & TJ Show (@TheAceTJShow) April 1, 2021
