Detroit Radio: WMGC Abruptly Drops Sports Format

Employees at the Greater Media compound in Ferndale were told at a staff meeting around 6 p.m. Wednesday that WMGC 105.1 FM is flipping formats.

Around 6 p.m., oldies started to play on WMGC and the station’s website, app and Facebook page were deactivated or replaced with other content, according to The Detroit News.

The news comes after Detroit Sports 105.1 failed to take any significant chunk of WXYT 97.1 FM The Ticket’s audience since launching in August 2013.

Greater Media officials have said the sports format would be a long-term play of at least five years, but decided to change in recent weeks after firing their second program director, Dave Shore, in May, and, after some initial replacement feelers halting the search.

“Quite honestly, what changed is that we didn’t see the growth coming,” said Steve Chessare, vice president/market manager for Greater Media Detroit. “It’s a business, obviously, and my job is to deliver revenue to the bottom line, and we think we gave it a good shot and I’m proud of every single person at that radio station.

“The change comes after much careful consideration of the direction of the station’s format and overall ratings over the past three years,” said Chessare. “We would like to thank our dedicated listeners and the entire Detroit Sports 105.1 staff for their many contributions to the station in the Motor City. They are true professionals and we are very grateful to them.”

WMGC-FM will feature the sounds of sister station WCSX-FM’s HD2 Detroit Oldies format during the interim until a new format is officially unveiled.

WMGC 105.1 Fm (50 Kw) Red=Local Coverage Area

Among the biggest mistakes several employees at 105.1 cited: An unwillingness to go all local on weeknights and on weekdays, and hiring out-of-towners as PDs, in Dixon and Shore.

Not everyone on the air was under contract, but all employees received some severance Wednesday.