News is spreading quickly about a format change that will significantly reduce Houston’s ability to hear good Gospel music over the airwaves. RADIO ONE has announced that Christian Inspirational KROI (PRAISE 92.1)/HOUSTON will change to News/Talk “NEWS 92 FM” on the week of NOVEMBER 14th. The 24-hour news and information station will be fortified by the world wide resources of ABC NEWS RADIO and ASSOCIATED PRESS PLATINUM; The Gospel format will move to sister Urban MAJIC 102’s HD channel and will stream online.
PATH was recently at a concert celebrating Baton Rouge Heaven 1460’s 58th anniversary celebration, when the news had top Gospel execs buzzing about what was to become of The Yolanda Adam’s Morning Show. Yolanda Adams’ top rated show is syndicated nationally out of Houston, and one can only wonder if Houston’s format change is just a sign of big changes that loom ahead for Gospel radio. Sources are telling us that the hit show could be next to hit the door bringing a new morning show that will be headquartered out of the Philadelphia area. It is still unclear if and when this will take place. For now the ‘Yolanda Adam’s Morning Show’ will stay on the air.
The press release announcing the switch is vague giving no reason for Houston’s ousting of its Gospel format but one thing is for sure, one of the largest cities in America will be severely underserved by sending its broadcasts only online. As with all format changes it boils down to the money. Radio One’s priorities seem to be more concerned with world news that’s not reaching the Houston community. Regional VP DOUG ABERNETHY is quoted as saying, “Our review of HOUSTON’s broadcast landscape told us that those listeners interested in local news as well as national news were being poorly served, so we decided to make a commitment to delivering the news in a dependable fashion. People want to hear about news as it happens, and they shouldn’t have to wait until their radio station ‘catches up’. We’ll deliver the news as it unfolds.”
A well-known air staff has been assembled. Mornings will be anchored by J.P. PRITCHARD and LANA HUGHES. Others to be heard include MIKE BARAJAS, SCOTT BRADDOCK, CAROLYN CAMPBELL, KEVIN CHARLES, BRENT CLANTON, LANNY GRIFFITH, LAURIE KENDRICK, MARTHA MARTINEZ, BONNIE PETRIE, MATT SAMPSELL, PATTIE SHIEH, meteorologist DR. JOE SOBEL, CRAIG ROBERTS and JORGE VARGAS.
Radio One seems to be stepping a little out of their element, priding themselves as an urban-oriented multi-media company that primarily targets African-American consumers. The multi-media giant founded by Cathy Hughes has media services primarily impacting the urban community in the areas of radio, television, print, and online publishing.
“The change that we announced today is a ground-breaking and necessary addition to the choices available to the residents of the HOUSTON metro area,” RADIO ONE Pres./Radio BARRY MAYO said. “The ability to realize a need and then take the appropriate action to satisfy it is what has sustained the popularity of our HOUSTON radio stations.”
Cautious to read between the lines, one can only wonder if the switch has anything to do with House Bill HR 848 and Houston Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee’s feud with Radio One founder Cathy Hughes. In 2009, Lee sponsored a performance act bill along with Republican John Conyers and many others, that would impose a flat fee for songs played over the airwaves. This would essentially mean that playing a song on the air would count as a performance in which-case royalties would be do to the artist. This would open the door for artists new and old to be paid each time their music is played on the radio. Hughes has done an effective job fighting the bill claiming it would force smaller stations out of business, format changes, and effect the ability for new artists to get their music played on the radio. So why is Houston’s format changing when all indications are pointing to a defeat of Bill HR 848, and progress for Radio One?
Most radio execs will tell you that switches like this are always about the money, but it sure isn’t for a lack of listeners in the Houston area. The radio station is hugely popular in the large city of Houston, becoming the pulse of the cities Gospel music scene. Houston does have other alternatives, but none can match the 100,000 watts of radio clarity that 92.1 broadcasts with. However, listeners can still catch Gospel music on Choice radio KTSU 90.9FM, KKHT 100.7FM, and KWWJ 1360am radio.
These stations should see a boost in listeners after the switch is made the week of November 14th, and for those still listening to 92.1 after that you can expect to see an aggressive approach to getting local and world news out to Houstonians.
SHANE MEDIA SERVICES Founder/Pres. ED SHANE is serving as Project Manager on the format flip from Gospel music to all news and predicts that Houstonians will find much to like about News 92 FM. “We’re going to give people the facts without the biased opinions that dominate so-called news stations,” SHANE said. “We’ve assembled an A-list of broadcast journalists whose mission is to report the news and let people make up their own minds.” The programming team, led by News Dir. DENISE BISHOP, will deliver an appealing blend of local, regional and national news along with topical information and the traffic and weather updates that are essential to HOUSTON listeners.
The news comes as a shock to the city of Houston and to loyal broadcasters, some of which will eventually loose their jobs. We encourage Houston to continue to stay on God’s path through inspirational music using the alternative stations and online methods that are available to you by PATH and other online Gospel stations. Path MEGAzine has reached out to Radio One for a reason for the format switch, and to hear it’s plans for Houston and other Gospel formats. However, they could not be reached by press time.
If you would like to express concern to Radio One, you can do so by emailing inquiry@radio-one.com or visit www.radio-one.com
