Update 6/12: Radio Vermont has confirmed that “101 The One” will debut on Tuesday, July 1 at 6:00am. The new format will be heard not only on 101.7 WCVT, but also 101.5 WEXP Brandon/Rutland. WEXP currently features a Classic Rock as “101.5 The Fox“.
While not disclosing the format, Radio Vermont states that it will be feature a music service with a full-service presentation of local hosts, news, and weather.
The Radio Vermont Group has officially announced changes that will create a new in-state partnership combining two of their FM radio stations into a new music network entitled “101 – The One.”
President and CEO Ken Squier explained the concept: “we find ourselves in a unique situation with two stations in adjacent markets just one click apart on the FM dial. WCVT-FM broadcasts from Mt. Mansfield at 101.7, while WEXP-FM in Rutland County is at 101.5. Our intent is to simulcast the two with a new adult service local to Vermont.”
Squier said that that he and VP Eric Michaels are sad to end the commercial classical service on 101.7 – but that the addition of 101.5 has made this new entity a very exciting opportunity. Plans are to discontinue the current programming on both stations and debut a new radio format on “101 -The One” beginning Tuesday, July 1st at 6:01AM.
According to Michaels, “we will air a special preview program on Monday, June 30th to reveal our new music service. In keeping with the tradition of the Radio Vermont Group and the WDEV flagship, “101 – The One” will feature “live” announcers, weather updates from Roger Hill and frequent updates from the Radio Vermont News Network.” “101 – The One” will also be heard on the FM translator in Montpelier at 102.5.
Staffing for “101 – The One” will be announced in the near future.
The Radio Vermont Group is 100% locally-owned and operated and includes WDEV-AM 550 in Waterbury – WDEV-FM 96.1 from Lincoln Peak in Warren – WLVB-FM 93.9 in Morrisville – WCVT-FM 101.7 Stowe-Burlington and WEXP-FM 101.5 Brandon-Rutland.
Update 6/8: Radio Vermont has registered 101TheOne.com and 101The1.com for the new WCVT format.
The only Commercial FM in the United States using “The One” as its brand is Clear Channel AC “103.1 The One” WNDH Napoleon, OH. The branding is used on multiple stations in Canada with either Hot AC or Country formats.
Sister 550 WDEV Waterbury/96.1 WDEV-FM Warren has seen its Full Service format become more reliant on Talk shows and less reliant on AC in recent months.
Original Report 6/3: Radio Vermont will soon drop the Classical Music programming from 101.7 WCVT Stowe/102.5 W273AM Montepelier, VT after 17 years.
Vermont Public Radio reports that the change “primarily due to the fact that WCVT’s market is now covered by Vermont Public Radio’s classical service”. No timetable for the change has been announced.
In addition to WCVT, Radio Vemont owns Full Service 550 WDEV Waterbury/96.1 WDEV-FM Warren, Country 93.9 WLVB Morrisville, and Rock “101.5 The Fox” WEXP Brandon.
Howe about either a oldies/classic hits format or a Triple-A format, but in either case, locally programmed?
Waterbury is adjacent to Barre/Montpelier, which have both the AAA and oldies formats on local signals.
“The One” could mean anything!