iHeart Brings Alt Back To Columbus FM
• iHeartMedia Columbus has filled the recently created Alternative hole on the local dial by flipping Classic Rock WXZX (The Brew) to “The New Columbus Alternative 105.7,” which will play a wide variety of music from contemporary Alternative artists like hometown band Twenty One Pilots, Cage the Elephant, Foo Fighters, Billie Eilish and The Killers along with Alt pioneers like Sublime, Depeche Mode, Beck, The Cure and others. Alternative 105.7 afternoon host will be Rafferty, who has a unique connection to the Columbus music community. He will be joined by other on-air personalities TBA.
“There’s a significant appetite in Columbus for new music discovery and a place to rediscover some ’90s and ‘2000s Alternative music hits, which have a strong nostalgic appeal right now,” said Kris Foley, Metro President for iHeartMedia Central Ohio. “Plus, with more people looking for audio companionship while working from home, we knew the time to change lanes was right now.” Michael McCoy, SVPP of iHeartMedia Columbus, commented, “This station will be all about the music and a strong local connection. In fact, we’re looking for guest hosts in the evening who are connected to the music community and aspire to build an on-air show. Follow Columbus Alternative 105.7 on all social platforms by searching @Alt1057 to get info on how to audition.”
• The Columbus market has been without an Alternative radio station since Nov. 1, when former longtime Alternative station WWCD (CD102.5) was taken off-air when the station’s license-holder, Southern Ohio Broadcasting System, entered into an LMA with Urban One and flipped the frequency to Regional Mexican/Tropical as La Grande 102.5 FM on November 6. CD102.5 remains alive as a digital outlet.
