Well, it looks like Merlin Media/Randy Michaels’s 4/16 launch of “Hannity 106.9” WKDN-FM 106.9 (after the purchase from longtime owner, Family Stations) in Philadelphia will indeed be Talk, instead of all-News (similar to its Chicago and NYC properties). Just last week the news came out that cross-town CBS Radio talker WPHT-AM is replacing El Rushbo with Dial-Global’s Michael Smerconish. Premiere Radio Networks had informed WPHT they will be syndicating Rush Limbaugh on a new station in that market.
Now that WKDN (new calls are WWIQ) is all-Hannity, all the time, we wonder how long the station will stunt–and will Rush be on the station soon, along with Glenn Beck? Both talkers were dropped by WPHT over a year ago and have not been in the market since.
Merlin CEO Michaels tells RBR-TVBR the station will evolve to full format beginning 5/1: “Glenn will be on. The other person you mentioned is under contract thru June, so we can’t be in any Rush to say anything about that.”
From a Merlin Media press release: “I’m back! After a year away, I’m back on Philadelphia radio…and you don’t have to wait to hear me. The Sean Hannity Show returns 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It’s all Sean Hannity, all the time on Philadelphia’s newest radio station, Hannity 106.9 FM. Set a button for non-stop me on the station all about me. And, of course, you can call into the show at 800-941-SEAN. In addition to my NEW radio station and my national radio show that’s been on the air since 2001, I’ve written three New York Times best-selling books and I host a TV show on Fox News Channel. There are lots of big plans for Hannity 106.9 FM, including some involving you. We’ll figure it out together, so I’m in no rush to say more at this time. Listen to ME on MY station, Hannity 106.9.”
RBR-TVBR observation: We think it’s a given Rush Limbaugh will end up on WKDN/WWIQ. Randy Michaels is responsible for Rush being at Clear Channel. Jacor brought E.F.M. Media Management, which was Limbaugh’s original syndicator, for $50 million back in 1991. So Limbaugh’s show went to Clear Channel when it acquired Jacor in 1998.
