I thought it be a good idea to ask people which radio station will change its format starting in 2026. It can be an AM or an FM station because maybe this town needs a new station or a return of an old station from the past.
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Which radio station in Boston will be the first to change its format in 2026?
- Thread starter cartman2002
- Start date
I'm going to be dull and say... none. Or at least none that appear on monthly Neilson ratings.
Now that I think about it, what WAS the last major station to flip formats? BIG 103 from AMP in 2020? There have definitely been music adjustments over the last few years (the Memories Station to the Memories Channel), but hasn't it been years since the last full flip?
Now that I think about it, what WAS the last major station to flip formats? BIG 103 from AMP in 2020? There have definitely been music adjustments over the last few years (the Memories Station to the Memories Channel), but hasn't it been years since the last full flip?
Bloomberg 92.9 in 2024.
K.M. Richards
Program Director, The Eighties Channel™
As I said in a more general thread on the same subject, that's a question not easily answered.
It is infinitely more likely that any planned format changes will take place on December 26 of this year.
It is infinitely more likely that any planned format changes will take place on December 26 of this year.
I guess you're right, that never clicked in my head. Can that even be considered a full "flip" though? It lives on on 106.1 with the same Rock 92.9 name, syndicated morning show and Music Director.
1360 WLYN and 1470 WAZN from brokered ethnic to network fed automated oldies/classic hits about a year ago.
And one or both of those could be the first flip of 2026 -- from automated oldies to dead air.
Is iHeart satisfied with WBWL's performance as perennial second fiddle to WKLB?
WBWL was created directly for that purpose nothing more. A low cost method to keep KLB from being a player.
Here’s a not so far fetched idea: WXRV becomes the latest station to sell to K LOVE.
That’s the only change on FM or one of the better AMs I see happening anytime soon.
That’s the only change on FM or one of the better AMs I see happening anytime soon.
Is iHeart satisfied with Jam'n? I am not suggesting a format change, but might we see other changes to the station?
CHR is cyclical and seems to be coming back a bit nationally as country has leveled off. Unless WBZ(AM)'s listenership becomes so small that a move to FM is deemed necessary to retain its advertising base and iHeart needs to blow up a station to do so, nothing is happening to Jammin'.
You guys ever notice how when one of these "predictions" threads gets created, you never hear from the people who are actually actively working in the market in a management or brokerage capacity, or from people like Lance who cover the industry closely?
There's a good reason for that.
I have been reporting on New England radio for (checks cuineform tablets) 31 years and counting. If I could accurately predict what's coming down the pike next, I wouldn't be spitballing about it on a message board. I'd be working on a deal to take advantage of whatever opportunity is opening up. And most of these deals take place under great secrecy for very good reasons. As a broker, every conversation I have with a client starts with an NDA to protect both them and me.
Bottom line: those who talk, usually don't know what they're talking about. And those who know what they're talking about aren't talking.
There's a good reason for that.
I have been reporting on New England radio for (checks cuineform tablets) 31 years and counting. If I could accurately predict what's coming down the pike next, I wouldn't be spitballing about it on a message board. I'd be working on a deal to take advantage of whatever opportunity is opening up. And most of these deals take place under great secrecy for very good reasons. As a broker, every conversation I have with a client starts with an NDA to protect both them and me.
Bottom line: those who talk, usually don't know what they're talking about. And those who know what they're talking about aren't talking.
Let's come back at the end of the year and review everybody's track record.😁
We should probably call this the Joseph Gallant memorial format change predictions thread. I happened to come across this a while back. Apparently he passed away:
www.facebook.com
3.9K views · 20 reactions | Talk about a throwback! "Not Quite Live," hosted by Joe Gallant in the 1990s, will now air on the NCM Community Channel. Broadcast Operations Coordinator Brian Boudreau has the details. | Norwood Community Media - NCM
Talk about a throwback! "Not Quite Live," hosted by Joe Gallant in the 1990s, will now air on the NCM Community Channel. Broadcast Operations Coordinator Brian Boudreau has the details.
www.facebook.com
I remember Mr. Gallant from the old Boston Radio Interest list. He might have been right on 1 out of every 15 or 20 predictions, but he persisted with the same unwavering confidence nonetheless.We should probably call this the Joseph Gallant memorial format change predictions thread. I happened to come across this a while back. Apparently he passed away:
3.9K views · 20 reactions | Talk about a throwback! "Not Quite Live," hosted by Joe Gallant in the 1990s, will now air on the NCM Community Channel. Broadcast Operations Coordinator Brian Boudreau has the details. | Norwood Community Media - NCM
Talk about a throwback! "Not Quite Live," hosted by Joe Gallant in the 1990s, will now air on the NCM Community Channel. Broadcast Operations Coordinator Brian Boudreau has the details.
Scott, I had to re-read this a few times because I couldn't believe what I read... Isn't the ENTIRE POINT of this website for those who are out of and love the industry and those who are in the industry, anonymous or not to "spitball?" Isn't a discussion board's purpose to be a place where people talk and toss around wild ideas as opposed to be talked at by those who "cover" the industry on other sites?
Someone could say out of nowhere the Sports Hub will flip to Adult Standards this year... .000000000000000000000000000000000000001% chance, but we all know wilder things have occurred in radio. Because it's radio.
If you don't appreciate the conversation, as ridiculous as it may be, go do something else with your time.
K.M. Richards
Program Director, The Eighties Channel™
Scott is correct, and one thing that makes RD different is that there are people here who do work in the industry and can provide perspective on these conversations. I would think that people whose love for radio brings them here should appreciate feedback as to why some suggestion or another won't fly.
Flip side of your "go do something else" is that we care enough to provide insights you would not get if we did take your advice. I'd much rather have the opportunity to improve everyone's knowledge base than have a bunch of you who become disappointed that your brilliant idea didn't happen.
Another factor is that, even for those of us who love radio so much we got into the business at a young age (in my case, a weekend shift during my senior year of high school, when I was only 17) and stayed (I will turn 70 in 2026), the business is very different and quite honestly I see ideas here all the time that would have been great ... a couple of decades ago.
Scott is preaching reality. Go back and re-read his post. He's trying to help you understand why things aren't the way you remember them from years past. And most of all, he's trying to temper your inevitable disappointment before it even happens.
Finally, when you describe RD the way you did, you ignore the fact that this board is owned by one of the best reporters on the radio business, Lance Venta. That's not a suck up; I've known him for somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 years and there simply isn't anyone who does the job better. Imagine how he feels when he comes in to check on things and finds not only that the predictions are wildly unlikely, but that people confront the professionals for saying so.
So ... no. None of us are going to go elsewhere. Our work here isn't done. If you can't stand that, I'll politely suggest that you take your own advice.
That’s what I’m wondering too. I’ve read a lot on here that business has been tough for station owners, but even more difficult for smaller operators. Given the challenging sales environment and the fast-declining station values, I would not be surprised to read an article about them selling to (insert Jesuscaster here) sometime in 2026.