Cincy Radio: The Buzz Is Gone

Many talk listeners are not happy with WDBZ 1230 AM "The Buzz."

WDBZ 1230 AM (1 Kw)

The Radio One station has changed branding and is now called Praise 1230, featuring gospel music as the majority of its programming.

The Buzz was Cincinnati’s urban news and talk station for the past 15-years and now the region is without a radio station focusing full time on issues affecting African Americans and providing a voice for black talk show hosts and listeners.

Longtime talk show host Lincoln Ware is expected to continue his 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. show until he retires and nationally syndicated host Al Sharpton’s show will continue to air from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., but other hosts, including Nathan Ivey and Jeri Toliver, are out.

The Cincinnati NAACP’s incoming president, Robert Richardson Sr., decried the move.
“I’m very, very disappointed, upset, shocked,” Richardson said. “It’s a business. I disagree with them shutting it off. If it’s because of (a lack of) advertising, to me, the corporate people should fix it. If advertising was a problem, I’ve got a problem with that. I know the people who listen to the station spend lots of money with lots of places around the city.