In this week’s issue… Hip-hop arrives in central PA – Boston gets ready to Rumba – Limbaugh’s “forever” to end – Hamilton TV station moves – Remembering KB’s Tom Shannon
By SCOTT FYBUSH
*Memorial Day weekend typically comes with some substantial format changes around the country. This year, it seems to be just the beginning of some larger shuffles for a few big groups, most notably iHeart.
One of the first signs of change came last Monday, when WKAF (97.7 Brockton) in the Boston market dropped its classic R&B format, replacing “97-7 the Beat” with a one-day stunt with Spanish-language music before flipping Tuesday at noon to “Rumba 97.7,” playing Spanish-language hits with a heavy emphasis on reggaeton.
The move returned iHeart’s “Rumba” brand to the market a year after it had disappeared with the donation of WKOX (1430 Everett), the most recent of several iHeart “Rumba” signals on AM. It’s the first time a Spanish-language format has been on a full-power FM signal in the core of the Boston market, though the limited reach of 97.7 to the north means WKAF probably won’t pose much threat to the established Spanish-language players in the Merrimack Valley, such as Costa-Eagle’s WNNW (800/102.9) in Lawrence.
While iHeart was moving one of its signals away from the Black audience in greater Boston, it brought new service to that community in central Pennsylvania on Friday. At 11, WHKF (99.3) dropped its “Alt” modern rock format and began looping “It’s The End of the World (As We Know It)” by REM, and an hour later the signal relaunched as “Real 99.3,” bringing a Black-focused format back to the Harrisburg market for the first time in almost a decade. (Back then, it was more of an R&B sound, via “The Touch” on WTCY 1400 and its FM translator at 95.3.)
The new “Real” is really syndicated, in keeping with iHeart’s current practices – Big Sue (WHRK Memphis) in middays, followed by Papa Keith (WMIB Miami) and then T-Roy (WJBT Jacksonville) at night. For now, mornings are music-only, but expect the New York-based “Breakfast Club” to take that slot starting next week.
The 2026 Tower Site Calendar was the final edition, and there will no longer be a Fybush Media Store.
We still have some old calendars and some books, so if you’ve been planning to buy some but just haven’t gotten around to it — this week is your last chance.
Go to our store now and get your favorite tower pin-ups!
Not sure what pictures are in which calendars? Ask Lisa — she’ll tell you.
Looking to get into station ownership? Our StationSale division has some great new listings for you, including a very successful multimedia combo including radio/digital/print in one of the finest small markets in the region, a major market FM translator opportunity, a profitable Midwest FM, an inexpensive entry into a fast-growing Western market, and a turnkey profitable FM/AM/translator small-market combo that’s ready for a new owner. Drop me a line at scott@fybush.com and I’ll set you up with an NDA and all the details…
And if your noncommercial FM station is ready to think about translators, there’s a filing window coming this fall from the FCC and it’s the perfect time to start making plans.
In this week’s issue… iHeart cuts leave some small markets vacant - Townsquare makes more NJ moves - Format shuffles in the Connecticut River Valley - Veteran meteorologists retire - Toronto AM seeks FM voice
In this week’s issue… FCC, licensees prepare for translator window - Ithaca exec moves on - Border gets the Lake back - Malloy returns to NJ 101.5 - AMs sell in MA, CT - Windsor vet retires
In this week’s issue… NYC veteran leaves desk - Bulldozers take down some Boston history - Public radio sale in PA - Family adds FM - CKNX celebrates centennial
In this week’s issue… NJ PBS enters new era - Adam 12's new Boston gig - Audacy relocates studios - NYC morning host plans retirement - CHUM, Flow retool in Toronto - Remembering Rocky Allen, Pittsburgh's Negri
