NYC Radio: WPLJ Announces The End

Cumulus Media's WPLJ will signed-off the air on May 31.  The announcement was made Wednesday morning during the Todd & Jayde morning show.  Along with the announcement, some vintage WPLJ aircheck clips were played from Carol Miller, Jim Kerr, Pat St. John and Domino.

95.5 WPLJ signed on the air in 1971. May 31, 2019 will be our final broadcast. More details to follow shortly. Thank you for the years of support and for listening! pic.twitter.com/tiFbvj5hC9

— 95.5 PLJ (@955PLJ) May 8, 2019

Back in February, Cumulus Media Inc. announced that it has entered into an agreement to sell six radio stations, icluding WPLJ,  to Educational Media Foundation for $103.5 million in cash.

Mary G. Berner, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cumulus Media, said, “These transactions are consistent with our portfolio optimization strategy and both deals are accretive. The Entercom swap significantly bolsters our competitive position in Indianapolis and the EMF transaction generates substantial cash for debt repayment and investment in other business opportunities.”

In New York City: Entercom Communications has acquired Country  WNSH NASH 94.7 FM 94.7.
Entercom’s portfolio currently includes All-News 1010 WINS and Sports WFAN 660 AM  / 101.9 FM, as well as Classic Hits WCBS 101.1 FM, News WCBS 880 AM, Alternative WNYL 92.3 FM and Hot AC WNEW 102.7 FM.

EMF's acquisition means format changes for all these stations. HotAC WPLJ 95.5 FM in New York, Talk WYAY 106.7FM,  HotAC WRQX 107.3 FM in Washington, DC, Alternative KFFG 97.7 in San Jose (which simulcasts Cumulus' KFOG in San Francisco), Classic Rock WXTL 105.9 FM in Syracuse, NY and Hot AC WZAT 102.1 in Savannah, GA.

"We are thrilled to add these stations to the K-LOVE network and for the opportunity to continue to bring people closer to Jesus," said Alan Mason, EMF president and interim CEO, in a statement. "Our mission is to create compelling media that inspires and encourages listeners to have a meaningful relationship with Christ. These are legendary stations that will enable us to enter new markets in Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Savannah and Syracuse and expand our footprint in New York."