Festive Christmas Flips
• With its days rapidly dwindling down to zero, the intrepid crew at Entercom Classic Rock KSWD (100.3 The Sound)/Los Angeles has one modest holiday wish — to go out on the top of the ratings. That was the simple sentiment expressed yesterday morning by Andy Chanley and Gina Grad. Chanley said, “You may know that KOST 103.5 flip to all-Christmas before Thanksgiving, and draws huge ratings… they’re No. 1 with a bullet every single year. So, before we sign off The Sound — which is going to happen soon, we want to be No 1-rated just once. So the company has decided, for our remaining days on the air, 100.3 The Sound will play but nothing but Christmas and holiday music. Not only are we going to beat KOST to the flip… we’re the first FM station in America to flip to all-Christmas in 2017! With that, we now proudly bring you ‘100.3 The Sound of Christmas.'” To one one’s surprise, the bit had pretty much petered out by the time the midday show started, which was perfect.
When we later contacted Sound PD Dave Beasing, he exclaimed, “Take that, KOST!” But seriously, Beasing said, “We’re grateful to Entercom for allowing us these final days to say ‘Goodbye’ to Southern California. The response has been overwhelming.” The Orange County Register also alertly picked up on The Sound’s Christmas music gambit.
• iHeartMedia AC WLIT (93.9 MYfm)/Chicago will make its Christmas move today at 4:35pm with PD Mick Lee, who said, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year and we’re so happy that millions of Chicagoans choose to make 93.9 MYfm part of their families’ annual holiday traditions. In our 17th year as Chicago’s Christmas Music Station, get ready for lots of fun holiday surprises in the coming weeks!”
Matt Scarano, President of iHeartMedia’s Chicago Region, commented, “With all the turmoil in the world today, we felt Chicago needed a little more Christmas right now. The extension of the Christmas music season will allow Chicagoans to get into the Holiday spirit even more this year.”
• Beasley AC WPBB (b98.7) will become Tampa Bay’s new official Christmas Station from now through Christmas Day.
“Kristi and I are big fans of Christmas music and the memories that it brings to so many people,” said PD/morning host Chadd Thomas. His wife and co-host Kristi Thomas added, “This year, especially with the devastation from all of the hurricanes, the Las Vegas tragedy and all of the bad news stories, there are a lot of people that are craving the comfort that the Christmas season brings more than ever. We are thrilled to be able to provide that.”
