Phoenix Radio: Entercom Flipping KMLE, KOOL Morning Shows

Entercom has announced a shift in morning show programming in Phoenix.

• Former KOOL 94.5 FM morning hosts Maria Knight and Chad Mitchell will co-host the morning drive for Country KMLE 107.9 FM. 

• Subsequently, Niko Petrou, previously on KMLE, will host KOOL FM’s morning drive. 

Both shows will begin on February 25, airing live weekdays from 5:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. PT.

Niko Petrou

“This transition will allow us to maximize the content we deliver daily to this market,” said Dave Pugh, Senior Vice President and Market Manager, Entercom Phoenix. “Maria and Chad are market veterans who know and love the country format and we are excited for KMLE listeners to get to know them. Niko has a great connection to Phoenix and we are confident that his passion and energy will enable him to connect with KOOL’s listeners.”

“I am a country girl at heart and have been part of the ‘KMLE Nation’ for over a decade,” said Knight. “I am really excited about the move across the hall.”

Knight joined Entercom in 2005 as an on-air personality for 94.5 KOOL FM. Prior to that, she held on-air roles for KZON and KSLX in Phoenix and KJFX in Fresno, CA.

“I’m excited to transition back to country mornings on KMLE, a truly iconic brand,” said Mitchell. “Maria and I cannot wait to celebrate many successes for years to come.”

Mitchell joined the station as an on-air personality in 2016. Prior to joining Entercom, he served as morning show host for KESZ in Phoenix, WRMF in West Palm Beach, FL, and WKQI and WDRQ in Detroit, MI.

“I had such a blast hanging out with our listeners every morning for the past year on KMLE, and being able to continue to host my own show on a legendary station like KOOL is a dream come true,” said Petrou. “I’d like to extend a big thanks to Pat Paxton [President of Programming, Entercom], Jeff Sottolano [Senior Vice President, Radio and RADIO.COM Programming, Entercom], Dave Pugh, Tim Richards [Program Director, Entercom Phoenix] and the KOOL staff for welcoming me. I can’t wait to party with the Valley every morning on KOOL.”

Petrou has been with the station since February 2018. His previous roles include Assistant Program Director, Music Director and midday on-air personality for sister station ALT 92.3 (WNYL-FM, then WBMP-FM) and night drive personality for WHTZ-FM in New York.