MI Radio: Cumulus Media Changes Formats, Frequencies & Brands

Cumulus Media announces that it launched new Triple A music station “The Q 94.5” to West Michigan radio listeners on Saturday, January 19, 2019, bringing with it changes in frequencies, formats and brands across the company’s 10-station group in Grand Rapids and Muskegon, MI.

“The Q 94.5” will play artists including: Mumford & Sons, Imagine Dragons, Sara Bareilles, Beck and Vance Joy, and kicked off its debut broadcast with Florence and the Machine’s “Dog Days Are Over”.

On January 4th at 6pm, Country music fans found their favorite songs and hosts on two frequencies in Grand Rapids, at its original home on WTNR 94.5 FM and on a simulcast at WBBL 107.3 FM .

The station also returned to its previous “Thunder Country” moniker and continues to air Country music and fan favorites “The Ty Bentli Show” from 6am-9am, Kim St. James from 10am-1pm, Brad Allen from 1pm-4pm, Lori Bennett from 4pm-7pm, and “NASH Nights Live” with Shawn Parr and Elaina Smith from 7pm-12Midnight. On January 19th at 11am, the Country simulcast ended with the launch of the Triple A “The Q 94.5”, while Thunder Country WTNR remained on the 107.3 frequency.

Also on January 4th, Sports Talk on 107.3 FM WBBL was rebranded as “The Ticket” and moved back to its original home on WJRW 1340 AM, which dropped its News Talk format, as did WKLQ 1490 AM in Muskegon, in favor of simulcasting “The Ticket”.

WTNR 94.5 FM (50 Kw) Red=54dBu Coverage Area

Bruce Law, Vice President/Market Manager, Cumulus Grand Rapids/Muskegon, said: “Sports marketing has always been a top priority ‘buy’ for America's most popular advertisers. Sports fans pay close attention to what’s being presented on Sports Talk radio. We are excited to add a new morning show with Michigan-centric content hosted by Matt Shepard called Shep, Shower ‘N’ Shave and will continue the popular HUGE Show from 3pm to 6pm, plus offer two of the most popular national shows, The Dan Patrick Show and The Jim Rome Show.”

WBBL 107.3 FM (50 Kw) Red=54dBu Coverage Area

Lori Bennett, Operations Manager, Cumulus Grand Rapids/Muskegon, added: “Grand Rapids and West Michigan have been ready for a Triple A station, featuring a diverse musicology of artists that have a massive following and have received overwhelming acclaim at venues such as 20 Monroe Live and Frederik Meijer Gardens, which just this summer presented sold-out shows for The Decemberists, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Blondie, Fitz and The Tantrums and Brandi Carlisle.  In the meantime, we are so excited to be able to work with and support local artists who have found it difficult to get attention from local radio. Not anymore!  As we say on “The Q”…it’s different here.”