Here Come The Format Flips
• Memorial Day weekend is traditionally a busy time in the format-flipping business. We will endeavor to keep you up to date as these moves take place.
The action is already underway in Harrisburg, PA, as iHeartMedia flipped WHKF (ALT 99.3)/Harrisburg to REAL 99.3 — “Central PA’s Hip Hop and R&B,” effective immediately.
REAL 99.3 will play the biggest names in Hip Hop and R&B, including songs from Drake, J Cole, DaBaby and Meek Mill, to name, well, four of many viable options.
The station will also feature iHeart personalities Big Sue, Papa Keith, T-Roy, along with a special show announcement (The Breakfast Club?) scheduled for 9am on Friday, June 4.
• Cumulus got down to work in Des Moines, IA on Friday, pulling the plug on 5 1/2-year-old Classic Hip Hop KWQW (98.3 The Vibe) and making the switch to Top 40, while retaining its existing “Vibe” branding.
Jack Taddeo, VP/Market Manager, Cumulus Des Moines, said, “Following market research, we saw a need for a Contemporary Hit Radio station that delivers continuous music and is focused on, and customized for, Des Moines. This move more properly positions KWQW in that lane and becomes accretive to our local radio group, which includes Country combo KHKI (NASH FM 97.3) and 92.5 KJJY, and Classic Rock 95 KGGO, as well as Sports-Talk KBGG (1700 The Champ).”
OM Chad Taylor, who also programs 98.3 The Vibe, commented, “The New 98.3 The Vibe plays today’s hit music by artists including Dua Lipa, Justin Bieber, The Weeknd, Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars and Maroon Five. We’re looking forward to hitting the streets, having fun and bringing our own Summer Vibe to Des Moines! We could not have done this without the support of Cumulus VP/Programming Ops, Greg Frey and VP/Contemporary Formats, Louie Diaz!”
