Z102 returns! Kind of...

[ChocoMingo]

Currently, rumors have been spreading that Z102 is coming back. Nash Icon 102.1 will become the 2nd NASH FM station to move away from the format and name. Everyone won't (or will, IDK) be surprised if 94.7 WNSH in NYC is 3rd, but maybe they need some adjustments (not a name change or format change), like MOVE TO THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING OR 1WTC! Sorry, off-topic. According to RadioInsight, Cumulus rival, iHeart Savannah VP/Programming Travis Dylan, he registered the domains z102savannah.com and z102radio.com. As some of you may know, Z102 was a CHR/Top 40 station.

If that were to happen, Cumulus would have not 1, but 2 rivals!!! And Savannah will have 3 options to choose from for Pop music from Z102 and not only it's long rival iHeart's WAEV-FM 97.3 (KISS FM), but a new contender from Alpha, WXYY-FM 100.1 FM (Y100). It could also go to Classic Hits, as it did exist, mostly in the 80s. Who knows?

 

[htowler]

Y100 is now a Rhythmic, so it wouldn't be direct competition from them. Maybe WZAT wont be a CHR. Maybe a Hot AC again? Classic hits or even Classic Hip Hop? Guess it's a wait and see. Crazy to see a flamethrower signal spin the wheel of formats this many times.

 

[acheron1982]

Z102 was also active/alternative in the 90s. Wonder if they won't go alternative, as many cumulus stations are doing, and be a competitor to Rock 1061 and provide a modern rock option for the southeast Georgia area where Rock 106 doesn't reach.

 

[FilmCritic3K]

If they were smart...

They'd launch an Alternative station on 102.1...a legit, actual Alternative station along the lines of their station WKQX in Chicago. A return to Top 40? I know execs change every moment but c'mon - we watched that format flounder endlessly on that frequency for almost ten years. Time to bring an actual Alternative station to Savannah.

 

[acheron1982]

They'd launch an Alternative station on 102.1...a legit, actual Alternative station along the lines of their station WKQX in Chicago. A return to Top 40? I know execs change every moment but c'mon - we watched that format flounder endlessly on that frequency for almost ten years. Time to bring an actual Alternative station to Savannah.

Totally agree. I'm not 100% sure that a strictly alternative/AAA hybrid would work in Savannah similar to the iheart media alternative stations. Cumulus is a little bit different because while they do alternative, they are not afraid to go a littler harder in the 90s with Tool which is something the Radio 104.5/105.7 stations (iheart) refuse to play.

I wouldn't go as far as calling Cumulus alt stations alt/active hybrids but they are a bit "harder" than Iheart and also more focused on newer music. Perfect station would be a active/alternative hybrid similar to 105.7 The Point in St. Louis and yes, there will be some overlap with Rock 106 but Rock 106 has a crappy signal.

 

[acheron1982]

Nash Icon in Atlanta is no more. Switched to WARM 98.9 which will be all XMAS and eventually, perhaps, AC. Atlanta currently has one AC station but it leans more Hot AC. If WZAT was to go AC or Hot AC or CHR, a brief switch to XMAS could occur anytime now. Still think that would be a horrible move. Alternative/Active or Alternative rock would be their best bet. If they go alternative, I give Rock 106.1 a year before it's history. Signal means everything.