Chio: New Gig, New Format, New Hampshire

• Philly radio fave Chio Acosta is headed north to scenic New Hampshire as the newly named morning co-host on Townsquare Media’s heritage Country WOKQ/Portsmouth, NH, effective April 1. The newly minted Chio and Kira in the Morning also features current morning co-host Kira Lew. The show will also be simulcast on sister WPKQ (103-7 The Peak)/N. Conway, NH, which services Portland, ME.

In making the announcement, OM Robby Bridges (who worked with Chio back in the day at WIOQ/Philadelphia) said, “Chio is one of the premiere morning hosts in the country and WOKQ is one of the premiere brands in Country radio. We are excited to have Chio join the talented Kira Lew to bring fun, laughs, conversation and the best music to New England.” Market President Brian Lang added, “I’m thrilled that a major market like talent like Chio will join WOKQ and our Townsquare Northern New England team.”

Chio most recently did mornings on iHeartMedia Rhythmic AC WISX (Real 106.1)/Philadelphia until last November, when the station flipped to Soft AC as 106.1 The Breeze. His previous Philly stops include the late WRDW (Wired 96.5) and eight years at the aforementioned WIOQ (Q102). He also did mornings for a while on Rhythmic AC sister KSSX (95.7 Kiss FM)/San Diego.

Chio exclaimed, “It’s all about winning! The team that Townsquare has assembled at WOKQ is loaded with superstar talent. I want to thank Robby Bridges, Brian Lang and Kurt Johnson for bringing me to this powerhouse Country radio station. I can’t wait to dive in and explore everything this area has to offer. This is going to be wicked fun!”

The new show will launch with “Win Chio and Kira’s Cash,” a chance to win $5,000 three times per day, and Chio and Kira’s “5 Town Tour” where listeners will be encouraged to suggest the best places for breakfast for the show to broadcast from in May. Chio replaces Bill Fox, who just started his new gig today doing mornings at Press Communications’ Classic Rock WWZY (107.1 The Boss)/Monmouth-Ocean, NJ.

Chio: New Gig, New Format, New Hampshire