It’s the first FM talker for Tampa Bay: Cox Media Group Tampa will flip Classic Rock 102.5 The Bone to FM talk, “The Bone. Real. Raw. Radio,” on 4/23. Mornings will continue to be anchored by the market’s highest rated morning driver, Bubba The Love Sponge. The Cowhead Show will stay in PM Drive. The Nick and Artie show hosted by Artie Lange of Howard Stern fame and comedian Nick DiPaolo will air weeknights 10 p.m.-1 a.m. Middays and early evening shows are currently under consideration, and are t/b/a.
“The Bone dominates the morning and afternoon drive talk shows and has room to grow in the midday and evening Classic Rock shows. Evolving this station into an all talk station is an obvious move,” said Keith Lawless, CMG Vice President & Market Manager. “Bubba plays no music and is clearly the market’s leader in mornings. Filling in the other day parts with compelling talk and removing all music from the already successful Cowhead Show will make The Bone dominant with men and adults all day long.”
RBR-TVBR observation: The state of Florida seems to be fairly unique in having substantial male audiences that gravitate toward young adult, raucous talk radio. This will not be conservative, nor progressive, nor sports talk. Like its brethren in Orlando with heritage Real Radio 104.1 and Real Radio 92.7/94.3 West Palm Beach and The Treasure Coast (Clear Channel), these stations focus on wild weekends, sex talk, crazy pranks and fun in general with regular callers. Little or no politics. It’s an easy transition for the Rock audience as well—these talk formats appeal to the same lifestyles.
Not to mention the massive savings on music licensing costs, this is more evidence our educational-culture evolutions drain toward LCD (lowest common denominator).
The Nick and Artie show is awful! Its so bad they cant give the show away. Direct TV is trying to get out of the deal and turn it off.
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