In Wednesdays edition of the New York Daily News, radio reporter David Hinckley hinted of changes coming to struggling Rhythmic AC “Mix 102.7” WNEW.
One of the many rumors is that it could become “Fresh,” an adult contemporary format that would challenge the city’s No. 1 station, WLTW (106.7 FM).
Other speculation, which has surfaced regularly and futilely for 10 years, is that country could return.
Web domains fresh1027.com and country1027.com have been registered in the last week – neither to WNEW or its parent CBS.
While Hinckley is correct that fresh1027.com is not registered to CBS, a number of domains including country1027.com were registered by CBS on December 12. The whole list of domains includes many URL’s which are clearly designed to throw off net gnomes such as us.
The Fresh 102.7 part of the speculation is just as intriguing. On December 14th, the following domains were registered anonymously using Domains by Proxy, a company that CBS and many other companies have used in the past to mask their future format plans.
In addition, that same day fresh1027.com was registered by a woman in Michigan and fresh1027fm.com by a woman on Long Island.
Free in St. Louis
Could CBS’ Free-FM brand be heading to St. Louis? In addition to the domains listed above, CBS also registered 981freefm.com on December 12. CBS owns two 98.1’s nationwide: Oldies WOGL Philadelphia and Hot AC “Y98” KYKY St. Louis. Philadelphia already has the Free-FM brand on 94.1 WYSP, which would seemingly rule them out. Y98 has struggled in the ratings in recent years, however it recently lost its head-to-head format competitor when 101.1 WVRV flipped to Rhythmic AC with the Movin brand.
CBS’ syndicated morning manRover airs on Emmis’ alternative 105.7 KPNT, however Opie and Anthony have never been cleared in St. Louis.
