After ESPN Radio’s announcement that it is leasing Emmis’ 98.7 frequency in NYC–Urban AC WRKS-FM NY (KISS FM), KISS and Inner City Broadcasting’s Urban AC/Classic R&B WBLS began simulcasting at 10AM 4/26, celebrating 30 years of KISS FM. At midnight on 4/30, the two stations will merge on 107.5, keeping the WBLS calls.
The new WBLS lineup will include Steve Harvey in the morning, former KISS middayer Shaila 10AM-3PM, WBLS’s Jeff Foxx afternoons 3PM-7PM and KISS night host Lenny Green hosting 7PM-midnight. Looks like the syndicated Tom Joyner and Michael Baisden shows, which were on WRKS, will be gone—at least temporarily–from The Big Apple.
Says WBLS VP/GM Deon Levingston: “WBLS and WRKS have been the voice of the tri-state black community for 30 years and we plan to merge the best of both stations to create a stronger voice to deliver the best in R&B music while also super serving our community.”
Added Emmis New York SVP/GM Alexandra Cameron: “I extend my gratitude and deepest thanks to the many special people that created the memories and sense of community that KISS FM delivered for 30 years. Emmis will be forever grateful. We are so very glad that a part of KISS will remain remembered through WBLS programming as they welcome beloved personalities like Shaila and Lenny Green.”
