With Thanksgiving behind us and over 200 stations in the United States and Canada rolling out nonstop Holiday Favorites, we know that some of the stations will use the Christmas music break to transition to a new format for 2011. We will continually update this list during the month of December as the Net Gnomes discover future identities for these stations and other stations make their intentions known.
Confirmed Flips
93.1 WHDR Miami – Cox Media Group’s 93.1 WHDR, which has “>been stunting as with Christmas music since dropping its Active Rock format, has begun identifying itself on-air as “Easy 93.1” and promoting its upcoming Soft AC format.
102.5 KEZK St. Louis – CBS announced that the station will remain AC, but relaunch as “Fresh 102.5” on Monday, December 27.
97.5 KMVA Phoenix, AZ – As most of the “Movin” branded stations have shifted from Rhythmic AC to various forms of CHR this year, KMVA could be in position to relaunch as it too has removed all on air references to “Movin”. Recently registered Hot975Phoenix.com seems to indicate a rebranding towards some form of CHR as well.
107.1 KHIT Fresno, CA – The once Classic Hits “107.1 K-Hits“, flipped to All-Spanish Christmas music on December 1 and will remain en Espanol after the holidays.
95.7 WSHP Lafayette, IN – The former Classic Rocker “95.7 The Rocket” was the first to flip to All-Christmas this year and will debut a new format on 1/1.
92.9 WLMI Lansing, MI – The Former “Smooth Jazz 92.9” WJZL changed its calls to WLMI in early October, however it did not begin using them on-air until the station went All-Christmas.
107.9 WCDY Cadillac, MI – This brand new station which signed on October 27 will debut its first permanent format after the holidays.
Possible Flips – These stations have made moves that have us watching for potential moves based on their previous format
105.7 WBZZ Albany, NY – AC “105.7 The Buzz” took the extra step of rebranding as “Santa 105.7” for the season.
96.9 KEZE Spokane, WA – AAA is not a format you usually see go All-Christmas, Spokane’s River went jockless in the process.
93.9 WMIA Miami, FL – Rhythmic AC “93.9 MIA” technically beat WHDR to Christmas by a few hours, however all indications are the move was made to counter 93 Rock. If WHDR flips to News/Talk, WMIA could quickly retaliate by flipping to a simulcast of sister 610 WIOD.
102.7 KHGE Fresno, CA – There were a few other Country stations to flip to All-Christmas this year, but Clear Channel followed the flip of “Big Country 102.7” by then shifting sister “Soft Rock 98.9” KSOF a few weeks later. KHGE claims to be returning to its previous format after the holidays, but we will be watching.
94.3 CHIQ Winnipeg, MB – Modern AC “Curve 94.3” recently added a number of Rhythmic artists to its music mix and then let go of the PD and much of its airstaff in the days prior to gong Christmas. All signs point to relaunch after Boxing Day.
94.5 KMYT Temecula, CA – Any remaining Smooth Jazz outlet needs to be on a death watch nowadays.
100.3 WNIC Detroit, MI – If anything there may be a simple rebranding here. We tweeted back in August that Clear Channel had registered My100Detroit.com.
Other Pending Format Changes
Pittsburgh, PA – Three AM’s will be heading to new formats on January 1. ESPN Radio moves from 1250 WEAE to 970 WBGG, Radio Disney from 540 WWCS to 1250 WEAE, and an unidentified format to 540 WWCS.
Long Island, NY – 96.1 WKJI Center Moriches will drop its simulcast of 98.3 WKJY Hempstead when its sale to JVC Broadcasting closes.
Wilmington, NC – Three station swap will see Modern Rock move from 98.3 WSFM to 98.7 WLGD and AAA from 106.7 WUIN to 98.3. 98.7 will drop Regional Mexican, while 106.7 will pickup an unannounced Christian format.
Muskegon, MI – 106.9 WMUS moves to 107.9 displacing AC “Star 108”. 106.9 will become a simulcast of 1300 WOOD Grand Rapids in early January.
