Another Top 40 in Atlanta? Really?

This is the most abrupt format change I have seen in a really long time. Here in Atlanta, what used to be "Project 9-6-1", suddenly flipped from a well-liked true alternative rock station, to a hip-hop/top-40 station dubbed "Power 96.1" (See original article here.). This comes as the owners of the station and 4 other stations in Atlanta, Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, is making a lot of staffing and programming changes in the Atlanta market specifically.  Clear Channel Media and Entertainment is the division of global media giant Clear Channel Communications that handles all of the company's 850 radio stations and several digital services. This is only one of a few changes CC is making regarding programming. The other half has to do what is now "WILD 105.7". Speculating reports state that CC will move the alternative format that used to be on the 96.1 frequency, to 105.7. The WILD brand will reportedly disappear from the Atlanta market (See what the discussion boards of RadioInfo have to say.).

My original thought is "Why add another Top 40 station when we already have many stations in Atlanta adhering to this format?" For example, Q100, owned by rival Cumulus Media, is a hit top-40 station. Another station considered top 40 is WSTR, "Star 94", owned by another rival Lincoln Financial Media. What we really need in the ATL is a true classic hits/classic rock station. 97.1 The River is more variety and 106.7 flipped to all-news (See earlier posts). That was the last true oldies/classic rock station left in Atlanta. WE NEED A NEW ONE!! The last thing we need is another top-40 station!!!

However, I have to say that Power 96.1 sounds great!! Clear Channel is so far doing great!! Its available in Atlanta on 96.1 and worldwide on iheartradio.com.

Please feel free to give your opinion or ask questions by commenting on this article or emailing me at aaron.waisler@gmail.com.