Modern Rock
WSMJ Baltimore Becomes “Channel 104.3”
The 104.3 frequency in Baltimore has been in a continuous loop of format changes since the demise of CHR “B104” WBSB in the early 90’s. There was Hot AC “Variety 104.3” WVRT, Soft AC “Soft 104.3” WSSF, All 70’s and later Classic Hits “The Colt” WOCT, Classic Rock “Baltimore 104.3” which later brought back the “B104” name under the call letters WXFB. Since 2003, the station had found some stability with Smooth Jazz WSMJ. With the format dying off in many markets, it was expected that WSMJ would eventually change formats. That change eventually happened on May 23, 2008 as WSMJ became Modern Rock “Channel 104.3”. The launch sequence includes a nice montage of airchecks taken from BostonRadio.org as...
99X Atlanta Signs-Off, Q100 Moves In
Previous Format: Modern Rock New Format: CHR Date & Time Of Change: January 25, 2008 at 5:30am More Info: RadioInsight, Wikipedia Related Changes: Rock 100.5 Atlanta Debuts
“O-Rock” 105.9 WOCL Orlando Becomes “Sunny 105.9”
Following the departure of Howard Stern to Sirius in December 2005, WOCL’s Modern Rock format fell on hard times. Drew Garabo and Savannah were brought in following their departures from crosstown FM Talker WTKS to host mornings, but the format floundered behind 101.1 WJRR for the young male audience it desired. Finally on Friday, January 4, 2008 at 10:00am the station dropped Modern Rock and began stunting with Bill Drake’s “History of Rock and Roll” until the following Thursday, January 10. That day at 12:40pm, the station began a year-by-year montage similar to the one used by sister WCBS-FM New York the previous summer, which led up to the launch at 1:05pm and 9 seconds of “Sunny 105.9 – Orlando’s Greatest Hits”.
Drive 105 becomes Love 105
The Twin Cities trimulcast 105.1 WGVX, 105.3 WGVY, and 105.7 WGVZ has never been a powerhouse in the market due to its rimshot status. Since being brought together with the same programming in 1996, the stations have flipped from Modern Rock to Active Rock back to Modern Rock to Rhythmic Oldies to Adult Alternative. ABC had usually used the stations as a flanker to sister rockers KXXR and KQRS. Drive 105’s intention was to siphon listeners away from Clear Channel’s KTCZ “Cities 97”, but as the ratings and revenue for the trimulcast never grew, ABC management targetted CBS’ WLTE “102.9 Lite-FM” and Clear Channel’s Oldies KQQL “Kool 108” with the new Soft Oldies “Love 105” The station launched at 5:30am on May 8, 2007 wi...
KZGL Becomes Power 98.3
Previous Format: Alternative “98.3 The Z” New Format: Rhythmic CHR “Power 98.3” Date & Time Of Change: September 18, 2006 More Info: Wikipedia Related Changes: Power 92 KKFR Becomes KTAR-FM
96.3 WMAD Becomes Star Country
Previous Format: Modern Rock “Mad Radio 96.3” New Format: Country “96.3 Star Country” Date & Time Of Change: December 24, 2005 at 12:00am More Info: Wikipedia Aircheck Contributed by Jeremy Andrews
96.7 The Buzz Moves To 105.3
Previous Format: Spanish Tropical “Viva 105.3” WWVA New Format: Modern Rock “105.3 The Buzz” WBZY Date & Time Of Change: May 5, 2005 More Info: Wikipedia
Y100 100.3 WPLY Signs-Off
Previous Format: Alternative “Y100” WPLY New Format: Urban “100.3 The Beat” WPHI Date & Time Of Change: February 24, 2005 at 11:50pm For years WPLY stuck out like a sore thumb in Radio One’s portfolio. One of the few non African-American targetted station in the company, radio insiders were constantly speculating on when the Alternative Rock of Y100 would be no more. In early 2005, Preston Elliott and Steve Morrison, the morning hosts on Y100 announced they were moving to crosstown Rock 93.3 WMMR following the expiration of their contracts. Faced with either retooling the station or moving in another direction, the decision was made to go the cheaper route. Following Preston & Steve’s final show, where they announced that they were moving, the ...
Y100 Announces Format Change
Previous Format: Alternative “Y100” WPLY New Format: Urban “100.3 The Beat” WPHI Date & Time Of Change: February 24, 2005 at 11:50pm For years WPLY stuck out like a sore thumb in Radio One’s portfolio. One of the few non African-American targetted station in the company, radio insiders were constantly speculating on when the Alternative Rock of Y100 would be no more. In early 2005, Preston Elliott and Steve Morrison, the morning hosts on Y100 announced they were moving to crosstown Rock 93.3 WMMR following the expiration of their contracts. Faced with either retooling the station or moving in another direction, the decision was made to go the cheaper route. Following Preston & Steve’s final show, where they announced that they were moving, the ...
