Radio One DC Makes Big Moves To Grow Listenership
WKYS, MAJIC and WOL Get Face Lifts in 2016
(Silver Spring, MD…December 16, 2015) – On Tuesday, January 19, 2016 Radio One DC, the powerhouse urban music cluster, won’t quite sound the same. It is expanding its airwaves and streams by shifting anchor morning shows to new frequencies to make room for new talent (and listeners) in Washington, DC. The following announcements were made today:
The FAM with Lil Mo and DJ QuickSilva moves from afternoons on Radio One Baltimore’s WERQ 92.3 FM to mornings on DC’s WKYS 93.9 FM from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday through Friday.
The Russ Parr Morning Show, a long time mainstay in the DC community, will move from WKYS and now broadcast on WMMJ MAJIC 102.3 FM at the same time, Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Russ’s weekend show, On the Air will continue on WKYS on Saturdays, 6 a.m. – 9 a.m.
The Tom Joyner Morning Show (TJMS) , that continues to be the top syndicated show in urban radio, moves from MAJIC to heritage Radio Station WOL 1450 AM, in addition to WPRS 104.1 HD2, WKYS 93.9 HD2 and WMMJ 102.3 HD2. The show will maintain its timeslot, Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. WOL’s acclaimed Carl Nelson will move to the afternoon drive show from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Tom’s weekend show, Right Back Atcha, will continue to air on MAJIC Saturdays, 6 a.m. – 8 a.m.
“To get what you’ve never had, you have to do what you’ve never done,” said Jeff Wilson, Senior Regional Vice President and General Manager of Radio One DC. “We are excited for the unique opportunity to expand our audience and promote fresh new talent on WKYS with The FAM with Lil Mo and DJ QuickSilva while serving our loyal listeners and keeping the momentum we have with Russ Parr, Tom Joyner and Carl Nelson in the market.”
The FAM with Lil Mo and DJ QuickSilva has a proven track record of success in Baltimore, but their relationship dates back to 2002 before they both became radio personalities. Lil Mo is a well-known R&B singer and co-star of TV One’s R & B Divas of Hollywood. DJ QuickSilva is an internationally known celebrity DJ known as “The Party Kingpin” who started his career at 14 years old. Their authentic relationship and chemistry are evident as they captivate their audience with the music they love and entertainment news they know firsthand from their connections with the biggest artists and athletes in the industry.
Their commitment to family and community resonate over the airwaves and will now be available to the mainstream morning listeners of WKYS 93.9 FM. Vernon Kelson, Program Director Radio One Baltimore will now also host the new afternoon show on WERQ 92.3 FM from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Radio One DC Makes Big Moves, 2
The Russ Parr Morning Show will be heard on WMMJ, MAJIC 102.3 FM. Though a top syndicated program, Russ provides a strong local relationship with the DC audience that is unmatched. Russ Parr and cohosts – Alfredas, Albert and Vic Jagger, provide a fast-moving show with edgy adult conversation coupled with the music that people want to hear. From the best films, to music, fashion and news impacting the African-American community, Russ always delivers with a style and format like no other. Now the MAJIC listener will know what it means to Get UP to Parr!
The Tom Joyner Morning Show (TJMS) that has been on the air for over 20 years in DC will continue to empower listeners with information and entertainment. Broadcasting on nearly 100 Radio Stations nationally and reaching 7.4M listeners, Tom Joyner remains the top urban radio personality. The Tom Joyner Morning Show (TJMS) will continue to be the morning show DC listeners awaken to, but now on the heritage Radio Station WOL1450 AM in addition to a number of HD2 Radio Station s. Celebrated radio host and Peabody award-winning journalist, Carl Nelson, will continue on WOL during the afternoon drive from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Show Today January 19th The Fam’ with Lil Mo and QuickSilva M-F: 2p – 6p on Baltimore’s Q92.3FM M-F: 6a-10a on DC’s WKYS 93.9 FM The Russ Parr Show M-F: 6a-10a on WKYS 93.9 FM M-F: 6a-10a on MAJIC 102.3 FM Sat: 6a -9a on WKYS 93.9 FM The Tom Joyner Morning Show (TJMS) M-F: 6a-9a on MAJIC 102.3 FM M-F: 6a-10a on WOL 1450 AM, HD2 Channels of 104.1, 93.9 and 102.3 Sat: 6a-8a on MAJIC 102.3 FM The Carl Nelson Show M-F: 6a-10a on WOL 1450 AM M-F: 4p-7p on WOL 1450 AM
SEE HOW’S DONNIE SIMPSON DOING AT MAGIC 102.3?
Not a happy camper
You Have to be kidding, moving the Tom Joyner show from Mafic, You lost listners when you got rid of Tim Watts. Well I guess I won’t be alone leaving MAGIC for good.
Dell
TJMS NEEDS TO STAY ON MAJIC. I’ll just be listening through the app
I cannot believe this. Moving Tom Joyner to an AM station? Whose bright idea was this? I will not be listening. What a terrible way to begin the New Year.
I am sorry to hear of the move of the Tom Joyner Morning show. I am an avid fan who listens from my ride in the morning and thru out my workday. I hope I can continue to listen on the AM station, but we all know, sometimes that can be difficult. I have nothing against Russ Parr, just enough the Tom Joyner show more.
What!!! Moving Tom Joyner’s Morning Show!?!? Big Mistake! Big!
What a huge a mistake. I guess time will tell. I won’t be listening to Majic. Russ Parr is funny, but the music is not fit for a career minded workplace.
This sucks Tom Joyner’s show is more than about the music. All the things that he does and bring to people of color and you put him on an AM Station. You tried this before and I hope listeners don’t fall for this. Bad move and I’m done and will have to go to WHUR starting the 10th
This is Jacked Up. Moving the TJMS to AM frequency who listens to AM station these days. I am done with radio. You don’t let the songs play all the way through anymore and you also have to many commercials . Will miss you Tom.
Why the move, if it’s not broke, Don’t fix it
.Leave the Tom Joyner alone.In our town,we listen to music on the FM channel.
Hugh mistake moving Tom Joyner morning show. That really sucks, especially moving to an AM station! I can’t get a strong AM signal. Tom, Sybil, and Jay keep me cracking up while Roland Martin keeps us informed. Sorry Tom, I’ll miss your jinxy predictions. I won’t be listening to WOL. Steve Harvey and WHUR here I come.
Big mistake. I will follow Tom wherever he goes. I hope all of you will stick with Tom. He need to carry on his good work.
If the Tom Joyner morning show is the TOP radio show why would you change and punish him to an AM station that possibly cannot be heard with out static… bad way to treat your number 1 show… sounds to me you are trying to lose listeners… this is only going to drive faithful listeners to other stations… possibly WHUR… this may even affect The Donnie Simpson show tooo now that the radio station will not be tuned onto 102.3 from morning to afternoon..will not be long before your loyal listeners are tuning in somewhere else…. IJS
@Anonymous.
I totally agree with you. My AM stations are all static. I will be listening to WHUR.
Not happy about tjms being moved to am. Who listens to am anymore?
This move makes no sense whatsoever! The Tom Joyner Morning Show is more than just music. They keep us informed about things that significantly impact the African American community. Looks like you’re bowing to outside influences. Really bad move. Bring TJMS back or I’m gone.
I am suprised by such a move. Really, Russ Parr! Not what I call a great move by the station. I will try to listen on AM but if not I will listen on his app. Russ Parr music format is not for me.
I am greatly sadden by the news of 102.3 decision to move TJMS to AM radio, replacing it with the Russ Parr morning show. What demographic are you trying to capture with this move? Urban Black professionals received important Black information and news from the TJMS. All I can see is a decline in listener’s trying to find a media that will suite their profession and intellectual taste. Good luck to whatever your trying to accomplish….loyal TJMS listener.
I am not a happy camper now I have to change my station no matter what I will still continue to support Tom, Jay and Sibyal the Tom Joyner Morning Show Oh Oh Oh!
TJMS on am! Really! Who listens to am?
I am truly upset at this move of the TJMS. This is truly a stupid move, what is wrong with you people. Tom, Sybil, and Jay anthony are the best, who listen to Am radio any more. I will listen to Tom Joyner on another station, and I am done listening to 102.3 radio.
A few years back Majic 102.3 got rid of Magic Memories on Sunday’s with DJ Ron V despite petitions and other acts of disappointment! No doubt u lost listeners during that time frame! Now moving the TJMS to am, really! Why couldn’t Russ Parr go to am? Executives or folks with other titles/positions don’t always know the “right” answers/moves! Reception for an is not that great but it is what it is! I’m in agreement with a lot of the other comments…if it ain’t broke why fix it, bad move, etc.! Only time will tell! I’m quite upset!
I would love to follow Tom and the crew but am station too much static. I guess I will be switching to Steve Harvey Morning Show.
I don’ t like this move at all. TJMS and Russ Parr have two different audiences. I set my alarm for 6:00am to wake up and listen to TJMS before going to work. Tom, Sybil and Jay don’t just entertain, they are also very informative. If this move goes through, I will just have to listen to my app.
This is crazy you have a positive spoke person for the black people to listen to and you move him to a am station I felt this coming when they brought back Donnie Simpson and then cut Tom Joyner to 3 hours as a long time listener of 102.3 I think I’m finish with the station very disappointed.
Trying to soften the blow with fancy marketing verbiage like “Heritage Station” is ridiculous! Going to an AM an station with hopes of driving listeners there is also ridiculous! If you’re old enough and you’ve live in DC long enough you remember WOL but frankly that’s all it is is a distant memory. We’ve long since moved away from AM listening and we weren’t longing to return to such primitive times. Can you say mistake!
Wow, well Majic just lost one listener. I have been listening to Tom since 1995 and I can’t imagine my morning commute without them…no offense to Russ Parr (I like his movies) but I have tried listening to his morning show but to no avail, I went back to my man Tom Joyner.
This made me pretty sad but at least I can still hear Tom and gang in the morning on the a.m. show. Best of luck Russ Parr but 102.3 just lost a morning fan.