As of Monday (10/24) Radio One is moving its “Hot” Hip Hop and R&B station in Detroit from its own 102.7 MHz facility to WGPR-FM, 107.5 MHz, which it is LMAing from The International Free and Accepted Modern Masons. And, of course, the 102.7 facility is getting a new format.
As Hot moves to the new frequency, the current line-up of The Rickey Smiley Morning Show 6am – 10am, Paigion in midday’s 10am – 2pm, Big Greg afternoons 2pm – 7pm and Shorty da Prince evenings 7pm – 12 midnight will stay the same. Radio One said that “the station will be on a full city grade non- directional FM signal, which will give HOT 107.5 one of the best FM signals in the Detroit metropolitan area.”
Gone, though, is the older-skewing Urban AC format of WGPR. And that leaves Radio One’s WDMK-FM “105.9 Kiss-FM” with one less competitor.
As for WHTD-FM, 102.7, Radio One Detroit said it will bring a brand new station into the Mo Town market. “A recent research project showed a substantial demand for inspirational music. Radio One already operates several very successful Praise stations around the country and has decided it is the right time to launch one in Detroit.” Praise 102.7 will debut Monday, October 31st. Inspirational super star Yolanda Adams will host morning drive from 6am – 10am. The Praise website will be www.praise1027.com.
“Adding WGPR to our existing portfolio of stations and introducing a brand new inspirational station means Radio One will become the dominant urban provider in the marketplace,” stated Vice President and General Manager Kathy Stinehour. “We are looking forward to better serving the community and are thrilled Ms. Cathy Hughes and Alfred Liggins are choosing to make this type of major investment in Detroit.”
WGPR’s President and General Manager James Dogan commented, “While this was a very tough decision for us, it is the right thing to do for urban radio in our city. WGPR will perform better as part of the critical mass Radio One delivers.”