Rock Breaks Bubba, AC Covers Rock

Beasley Media Group Tampa is all done screwing around with WBRN — in a palate-cleansing move, the embattled former Rock outlet flipped Mainstream AC yesterday, reborn as The New B98.7, featuring “Today’s Hits and Yesterday’s Favorites,” of course. Shortly before the holiday break, we told you the station had cut ties with morning personality Bubba The Love Sponge, the namesake of WBRN’s former “Bubba 98.7” incarnation, and the station then shifted into holiday mode as “Santa 98.7.” Shortly thereafter, WBRN briefly returned to playing Rock, operating as “Donald 98.7.” Tampa Market Manager Kent Dunn describes B98.7 as “a seamless complement to our cluster of Classic Hits, Country, Spanish CHR, Rhythmic CHR and Financial Talk.” He added, “Our programming team put together an amazing product that will surely be a success in Tampa and St. Pete!”

One valuable addition to the new B98.7 staff is popular Tampa Bay married morning duo Chadd & Kristi Thomas, who recently left Cox Media Group AC WWRM (Magic 94.9) after a 16-year run. They will officially debut on B98.7 on Monday, Feb 6. “For nearly two decades, Chadd & Kristi have developed a deep relationship with the Tampa listening audience and we are thrilled they decided to join us in the process of building a new and great AC brand in the market,” said Justin Chase, EVP of Programming, Beasley Media Group. “Both Chadd and Kristi are all about family and community, which is a perfect fit for Beasley’s company culture. We expect great things from them and The New B98.7!”