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Radio Stations Change FormatsBy KAREN KAPLAND*tly Tele graph Staff WriterA lot of people were surprised or confused when they tuned to their favorite radio stations Saturday.Those accustomed to listening to contemporary music on WHIS-AM instead heard the easy listening selections previously aired over WHAJ-FM. And those expecting to hear the soft sounds of WHAJ tuned into the new contemporary sound of “J-104.”It was a switching of programming undertaken by the Daily Telegraph Printing Company, owner of both stations.WHIS and WHAJ Station Manager Mike Shott says the move was made because studies show more persons owning stereo FM radio equipment in this area prefer contemporary music. The studies also show many owners of AM radio equipment prefer easy listening programming.“We are playing more music on both stations, Shott said. “WHIS will be more information-oriented with NBC news on the hour and local news every half hour during working hours. WHIS will also feature the Wall Street Journal business report and a stock market report.’’He said WHAJ, nicknamed J-104, will feature national and local news once an hour. “We will be adding RKO satellite news in the next couple of weeks,” he said, “This news service offers special features of interest to persons between the ages of 18 and 42.Shott said WHIS’s new easy listening programming is designed to reach adults 25 and older. In contrast, WHAJ reaches for those 18 to 42. “Of course there are exceptions to those groups,” he said. “Some younger people will prefer easy listening while some older peoDle enjoy contemporary music. One 62-year-old woman called me to tell mehow much she likes the contemporary programming earlier this week. It’s really just a matter of musicalpreference.“People between the ages of18 and 42 have grown up with contemporary music,” he continued. “They aren’t going to change their musical preferences. By the same token, older persons grew up with easy listening music and they continue to enjoy it. By offering both types of programming, we can please essentially all adults.”Shott said WHIS will continue to air public service announcements, news, sports and weather. However, the station will give more air time to recorded music. “Our disc jockeys won’t go on and on just to hear themselves talk,” he said, “They won’t say anything unless it is important.”The new 100,000 watt J-104 will continue to serve listeners in parts of West Virignia, Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and North Carolina. It will offer more album selections between 6 p.m. and 3 a.m., according to Shott. During the remaining hours the station will air adult contemporary music, including “Top 40 selections and oldies.” Special programs featuring different types of music will be aired at various times.While the new sound on both stations may take some getting used to, Shott is confident the FM station will add more listeners as it steps into competition with stereo FM stations located in larger cities which offer contemporary music programming. We are optimistic,” he said. “I think the community is better served by these changes and people soon will find the new sounds are something they♦ »enjoy.WHIS radio is locatec 1440 on the AM dial and « is at 104.5 on the FM dial.
Newspaper Details
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
Bluefield, West Virginia, US
Wed, Aug 05, 1981
Page 17
Full Page
Clipped by
Sammi B.
NA 10 May 2021
Other Publications Near Bluefield, West Virginia
Bluefield Evening Leader
Bluefield Daily Leader
Bluefield Sunset News
Bluefield Sunday Telegraph
The New Daily Telegraph
