Townsquare launches 102.5/104.9 The Block in Kalamazoo/Battle Creek

[Michigan Media]

Link: https://wbxxfm.com/new-rb-station-the-b ... -michigan/

[CJ]

Oh man, I love The Edge! I would listen to it through the static in westside Kalamazoo. Why do they always have to kill the Alternative stations in this area?!?!

[MWmetalhead]

This is a very good move!

104.9 and 102.5 should've been simulcast partners sooner, and this change brings Urban AC to many African American listeners in Calhoun and Jackson counties, which previously lacked access to the format (following changes at 930 / 102.7 in Battle Creek a few years back).

I never felt Alternative was a particularly good choice for 104.9.

The elimination of The Edge might also give WRKR more wiggle room.

[CJ]

Those are all fair points. 102.5 was tied pretty closely to WFGR outside of the afternoon shift if I remember correctly.

[MWmetalhead]

Will Free Beer and Hot Wings be heard soon on 107.7? (I sure hope not.)

By the way, contrary to the press release's implied claim, this is not a newly available format for Kalamazoo. 95.5 has been Urban AC for years. I guess Townsquare doesn't want the truth to get in the way of a good story.

I should've mentioned earlier the elimination of K102.5 could conceivably give WRKR more wiggle room, too.

[format this]

Will Free Beer and Hot Wings be heard soon on 107.7? (I sure hope not).

Nope. WGRD has a good signal into Kalamazoo, with some degrading into Portage.

By the way, contrary to the press release's implied claim, this is not a newly available format for Kalamazoo. 95.5 has been Urban AC for years. I guess Townsquare doesn't want the truth to get in the way of a good story.

Since 1997, if memory serves. It was daytime only until WNWN-FM’s programming was replaced by The Touch. 1560 was daytime-only, so the translator was a big help.

[MWmetalhead]

95.5 signal:
https://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?c ... service=FX

102.5 signal (much bigger than 95.5):
https://radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?c ... service=FX

It's nice to see that 102.5 / 104.9 will offer local programming in at least one daypart.

I somewhat miss the original sound of Magic 104.9 in Grand Rapids. I cannot stand all the hardcore rap music that particular station plays these days.