So long, SAM 95.5
August 18, 2006
For the first time, an affiliate of one of the three satellite feeds (Jack, Bob and SAM) has dropped the format. WZXI in Staunton, VA flipped from Variety Hits as SAM 95.5 to begin simulcasting Oldies 106.3 WBOP under the name Oldies 95.5. It also dropped the Bob & Sheri morning show, which it carried for the duration of the format on that station and had dating back to it being an FM Talk outlet.
The reason for the drop? According to VARTV.com, the 106.3 signal recently received approval to move from Churchville, VA to Keswick, VA, which will give it clearance in the Charlottesville, VA market. Vox has been operating WBOP on 106.3 via a LMA with Force 5 Communications; it's unclear what the new format on 106.3 will be when the station moves, but the simulcast is not expected to continue. 106.3 is expected to go dark in preparation for the move at midnight on Thursday, August 31. I'm not sure at this point if Vox will still have an LMA on the station when it debuts in the new market.
A new station that crept up on me is 94.3/92.5 The Fox (WFCX/WFDX) in Traverse City, MI (and points east.) It's not often that you have a 100kw C1 signal as half of a simulcast (and the less promoted part), but that's the case here, as 92.5 (WFDX) blankets several counties in the northern part of the state, with a signal that reaches Cheboygan and the edge of the Upper Peninsula. Someone from the station personally contacted me saying that the station has evolved from Classic Hits to Variety Hits, and in particular with this, We call the format "Northern Michigan's Greatest Hits" and use a liner that says: "It doesn't have to be old to be a classic." I'll give it a provisional nod for now; I'm told that the station will be streaming within 30 days.
© Copyright 2005-2008 Lou Pickney. All Rights Reserved.
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