It’s the most wonderful time of the year. A time to blow up your station’s previous branding and start fresh after blowing out your playlist for 6-8 weeks of music that you cannot play except for maybe that one day in July when people like to pretend it is winter.
While there will be many others changes that seemingly come out of nowhere (even beyond those we track in our Domain Insight reports), the following is a list of stations where changes have been confirmed, expected, or at least worth monitoring between Christmas Day and the first week of January.
Currently Stunting
Bowling Green KY – Seven Mountains Media’s recently acquired 106.3 WOVO is running a “Wheel of Formats” stunt to promote the move of Country “Beaver 96.7” WBVR-FM to 106.3 and the launch of Classic Country as “Bigfoot Country Legends” on 96.7.
Ironton OH – Total Media Group’s pending acquisition 107.1 WIRO-FM was running as “Ho Ho Radio” until December 31 when it moved to looping a different song each day with Prince “1999” on 12/31 and Billy Ray Cyrus “Achy Breaky Heart” on 1/1. debuting a new identity after the holidays.
Completed Changes
January 1
Decorah IA – LA Communications flipped “Hawk Rawk” 100.5 KDHK to Hot AC “100.5 The Hawk“.
Fort Walton Beach FL – Omni Broadcasting flipped Conservative Talk “Freedom 94.3” W232CF/WTKE-HD3 to Classic Alternative “94.3 XYZ“.
December 31
Bangor ME – Stephen King’s Zone Corporation shut down Oldies “Z62“ WZON and AAA “103.1 The Zone” WZLO. Rock 100.3 WKIT was saved by a sale to local businessmen.
Louisville – New Albany Broadcasting Company’s 1570 WLRS/92.5 W223DK flipped to “Kentuckiana’s True Oldies” after stunting with Christmas music since October 1.
St. Louis MI – Krol Communications Classic Country “Real Country 1520” WMLM/105.9 W290DR ceased operations at midnight.
December 30
Fort Collins CO – After ending its annual Christmas music run, iHeartMedia flipped 1990s Hits “B107.3” K297AK/KXBG-HD2 to 1980s Hits “Rewind 107.3“.
Fresno – Latino Media Network rebranded its three stations.
Las Vegas – Latino Media Network rebranded Regional Mexican “Zona MX 103.5” KISF as “La Tremenda 103.5“.
McAllen TX – Latino Media Network rebranded its two FMs debuting Spanish Classic Hits “La Exitosa 96.1“ KBTQ, and Regional Mexican “La Preferida 98.5“ KGBT-FM.
New Bern NC – Media East launched “Classic Country 97.5 and 104.5“ WLGT/WSTK on the former Contemporary Worship “Sozo Radio“.
December 26
Fairmont WV – AJG Corporation Hot AC “Fun 93.1” segued to Classic Hits utilizing just its 93.1 WFGM calls.
Flagstaff AZ – AZ Hometown Radio signed on 94.7 KJXL-FM as Variety Hits “94.7 Jack-FM“.
Glasgow KY – Commonwealth Broadcasting launches Variety Hits “102.3 Jack-FM” on 102.3 WLLI and a pair of translators.
Greenville SC – After debuting the “Star 99.5” brand last month when it went from Hip Hop to Christmas music, SummitMedia’s W258CB/WJMZ-HD3 flips to Adult Contemporary.
Kansas City – Steel City Media flips AC “KC 102.1” KCKC to Variety Hits “102.1 Bob-FM“.
Norfolk – iHeartMedia Rhythmic AC “Movin 107.7” WMOV-FM relaunches as “Party 107.7” with a more contemporary presentation.
Riverside/San Bernardino – All Pro Broadcasting Hot AC “Hot 103.9” KHTI flips to a simulcast of AC 101.3 KATY-FM.
December 25
Grand Forks ND – After completing its move into the market in October, Valley Broadcasting’s 98.5 KQYZ Emerado debuted its new permanent identity as Classic Hits “98½ – Q98” at 12pm on Christmas Day.
West Palm Beach FL – After stunting with Christmas music for a month, Glades Media’s former Spanish CHR “Fiesta 96.9/94.7” 1380 WWRF/96.9 W245AY and 94.7 W234DA flipped to Variety Hits “Jack-FM” at 1pm on Christmas Day.
December 24
Tuscaloosa AL – After a viral stunt this weekend, Townsquare Media’s “Alt 101.7” WQRR flipped to Christian AC “101.7 The River“.
Other Potential Changes
Lawrence/Topeka KS – With the closing of the sale of CHR “105.9 Kiss-FM” KKSW set to take place around January 1, Reyes Media Group will flip the station to a Spanish language format.
San Francisco – Cumulus Media’s 560 KSFO is expected to launch a new format after moving its Conservative Talk brand to 810 KGO.
South Bend IN – Does a call letter change at Mid-West Family Broadcasting Classic Rock “Z94.3” WZOC to WYRX-FM portend something bigger?
Elsewhere – Our Domain Insight reports are tracking potential changes coming in Boise, and Fort Collins.
