Memphis Radio: Audacy Plans to Move Country Format to 99.7 FM

Format moving to 99.7 FM

Earlier this week Audacy announced the sale of two stations to the Educational Media Foundation for $15.5M.  The stations involved are hot AC WTSS 102.5 FM Buffalo and Country WLFP 94.1 FM in Memphis.

Now local Memphis management has announced it plans for Wolf  Country. Audacy has unveiled plans to keep “The Wolf” on the air in Memphis. The station will move to up the dial to 99.7, currently home to replacing  “FM 100” WMC-FM AC format.  The change will happen when EMF closes on the deal.

“We’re not getting out of the country radio business. In fact, we are doubling down,” Audacy Memphis Senior VP Market Manager Dan Barron said in memo to staff.

“The Wolf” is expected to make the move within the next 90 days after the sale to EMF closes.

The move will give the country format a much stronger signal. At 94.1, “The Wolf” broadcasts at 50,000 watts. The 99.7 frequency is a 300,000-watt blowtorch.

WLFP’s current on-air staff will remain in place, with Erin Austin moving from mornings on “FM 100” to fill WFLP’s midday vacancy.

“While this is a very tough decision, going forward we are in the best position to serve our listeners and advertisers with the operation of three dominant, distinct brands: #1 AC (WRVR), #1 Sports (WMFS) and #1 Country (WLFP),” Barron said.

WMC-FM 99.7 FM (300 Kw)

Audacy hasn’t yet revealed whether it will make a similar move in Buffalo for “Star 102.5,” which ranked fifth with a 6.7 share (12+) in Nielsen’s January diary survey.