Curtis Media closed on its acquisition of WKJO on Friday and began running Christmas music at midnight on Saturday as “Christmas 102.3” until it debuts its new permanent identity.
Original Report 12/15: With the impending closing of the $2,080,000 sale of Triangle Marketing Associates Country “Country Superstars 102.3” WKJO Smithfield/Raleigh NC to Curtis Media, the staff of the station will depart at the end of the day.
Departing are morning hosts Carlie Rye and Josh Zach, Production Director/midday host Kristen Lawrence, and PD/afternoon host Brody Smith. Zach had joined WKJO in August after 12 years as a news anchor for News/Talk 680 WPTF. Lawrence has been with the station since graduating from college in May 2021. Smith joined WKJO in April 2020 after previously programming iHeartMedia CHR “Wild 95.5” WLDI West Palm Beach, serving as APD of AC “Sunny 106.5” KSNE Las Vegas, and two stints at CHR “G105” WDCG Raleigh as APD/MD from 2003-2012 and morning show producer/co-host from 2016-18.
WKJO serves the southeastern half of the Raleigh/Durham market targeting suburban Johnston County. The deal marked a return of the station to Curtis’ holdings as they previously owned the station from 1996 to 2014 when it was sold to allow Curtis Media to acquire Classic Hits “Kix 102.9” WKIX-FM Raleigh. The deal to reacquire the station is possible as Curtis’ 96.9 WWPL Goldsboro is no longer counted towards the Raleigh/Durham market caps.
Curtis Media also owns Country 94.7 WQDR-FM, Variety Hits “96.1 BBB” WBBB, CHR “Pulse-FM” 102.5 WPLW (simulcast on 96.9 WWPL), Classic Hits “Kix 102.9” WKIX-FM, Classic Rock “Rock 92.9” 570 WQDR, News/Talk 680 WPTF, and “Oldies 104.7” 850 WKIX. Another signal, Regional Mexican “La Ley 101.1” WYMY Burlington serves much of the market but is considered officially to be in the adjacent Greensboro market.
