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Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Boston Radio: 96.9 FM Flips To Urban Contemporary

WTKK-FM Boston made its anticipated switch from talk to music Wednesday morning , rebranding as Power 96.9 with an urban contemporary format.

The format was flipped at the conclusion of the final “Jim & Margery” morning show, hosted by Jim Braude and Margery Eagan.

A format change by WTKK, a talk radio station since 1999, had been reported for weeks but owner Greater Media Inc. did not make an official announcement until Tuesday and kept the music genre a secret until it unveiled the new name and slogan -- “Jamz for Boston” -- for the station on Wednesday. 

The first song played under the new format was Rihanna’s “Diamonds.”

WTKK posted a low, 2.3 share in the Arbitron ratings book in December. The station’s switch to music leaves former rival WRKO-AM as the only non-sports radio station in the Boston market dedicated to an all-talk format.

A news site, Power969.com, was launched with splash page and a link to live streaming of the station’s new music. 

LISTEN LINE! Click Here.

Shortly after the flip, Greater Media issued the following news release:
"Get ready for an exciting week of music on the air at 96.9 FM in Boston. Live and local, the new 96.9 promises to bring a fun new sound to the Boston community! 
Beginning today, 96.9 FM returns to music with Power 96.9, Boston’s Hip Hop and R&B station with more surprises to take place during the upcoming week. 
Stay tuned!"
THE RADIO DISCUSSION BOARD IS HUMMING, Click Here. 

Earlier Posting....

Earlier Wednesday Greater Media acknowledged a format flip was coming and issued this release:
Morning Personalities Jim Braude and Margery Eagan will take calls from listeners and past on-air contributors from 7am-10am during the final day of broadcast for the News/Talk format on 96.9 WTKK-FM in Boston on Wednesday, January 2, 2013. 
The station, which launched back in 1999, has served as an FM alternative to the traditional talk radio format for nearly 13 years. Greater Media has always been on the cutting edge of the responding end of marketplace considerations and listener needs. The change comes after much careful consideration of the direction of the station’s format and overall ratings over the past several years. 
“We would like to thank Jim Braude, Margery Eagan, Michael Graham and the entire News Talk 96.9 WTKK-FM staff for their many contributions to the station and Talk Radio format over the years in Boston,” said Greater Media Boston Market Manager Rob Williams. “They are true professionals and we are very grateful to them.”

What’s next for the dial position in Boston? Stay tuned!

1 comment:

  1. The first day of tunes sucked. I tried listening the next day and the music was much better. You played a song from quiet riot(which was nice to hear again) and other rock tunes. This trend lasted 2 days; then you guys went back to the crap you were playing the first day. Oldies and Rock tunes are a much better format. The new stuff is just terrible.

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