Converting to Free FM today are: KIFR(FM), Washington; WYSP, Philadelphia and KPLN, San Diego.
Other Infinity stations now re-branded to Free FM (see story above) are: KLSX(FM), Los Angeles; WCKG(FM), Chicago; KLLI(FM), Dallas; WJFK(FM), Washington; WKRK(FM), Detroit and WHFS(FM), Baltimore.
Other hosts of the new format include Penn Jillette, one-half of the entertainment duo Penn & Teller. He will host one-hour of the new format in New York (WXRK-FM), Chicago (WCKG-FM), San Francisco (KIFR-FM), Washington, D.C. (WJFK-FM), Detroit (WKRK-FM), San Diego (KPLN-FM), Baltimore (WHFS-FM) and Las Vegas (KSFN-AM), beginning in January.
A variety of morning drive programming options have been developed for the remaining Stern stations such as syndication of Infinity personalities, format changes and the creation of live local programs. Highlights are:
— Rover, currently heard on Infinity’s WXTM-FM Cleveland and WAZU-FM Columbus, adds WCKG-FM in Chicago, WKRK-FM Detroit, WAQZ-FM Cincinnati, WMFS-FM Memphis and WZNE-FM Rochester to his roster of stations. WCKG will serve as the flagship station for Rover’s “Morning Glory” heard weekdays.
— WJFK-FM’s The Junkies will expand their lineup to include WHFS. J.P., John, Eric and Jason began their career in broadcasting as hosts of a cable access show in 1995, and were hired by WJFK-FM shortly thereafter where they hosted weekend, and later, weeknight programs. In 2002, the foursome began hosting morning drive on WHFS (Washington) until the station changed its format and call letters in January 2005. They then rejoined WJFK for middays.
— KITS-FM in San Francisco will launch the Morning Music Co-Op, an entertainment-based program featuring alternative music with what Infinity calls “unprecedented” listener involvement/interaction and minimal commercial interruption.
