This coming Friday is the day Merlin assumes programming and sale control over the station, pending FCC approval of the sale deal. Under the sales deal, Merlin would become the majority owner of WRXP with Emmis retaining a minority interest.
Last day is Thursday for current air staff at Rock 101.9 RXP:
A format change is expected. An all-news or news-talk hybrid format has been widely speculated as two main possibilities. An all-news format would pit Merlin squarely against CBS Radio's 880 AM WCBS and 1010 AM WINS. A N/T format would most likely impact 770 AM WABC and 710 AM WOR the most.
There's no official word yet on when an LMA would impact the two stations Merlin is acquiring in Chicago: 101.1 FM WKQX and 97.9 FM WLUP (The Loop).
The staff at Q101.1 FM WKQX reportedly has been told that their last day would also be Thursday.
