Rants and Ramblings: random commentary about culture, media, politics, technology and whatnot.

radio kerfluffle

Z104 is no more. The station, which was number one in my car radio presets, went off the air at noon today, leaving DC 101, Mix 107.3 and 94.7-The Arrow as the only pop/rock stations in town that occasionally play music that I like. (This also comes about a year after rock station HFS was reinvented as El Zol.)

Taking its place on the dial is classical station WGMS, which until today lived at 103.5. WGMS has been displaced by news radio station WTOP, which is moving around the AM and FM bands thanks to a brand-new deal, announced today, between parent company Bonneville and the Washington Post to create a Post-branded radio station. Due to launch in March, Washington Post Radio will occupy WTOP’s former space on the dial, at 107.7 FM and 1500 AM.

I’ve never understood why changes to radio stations have to happen so suddenly — and often without on-air explanation. I like classical music and all, but it’s a rude surprise to turn on the radio expecting one thing and getting something that’s clearly not what you were listening to that morning. And, leaving aside the stations that are killed, what happens to the stations who are suddenly shifted elsewhere on the dial, with no opportunity to inform listeners to change their radio presets?

All that aside, I am intrigued by the idea of the Post having its own radio station, and how that station can both promote the Post’s print and online content/personalities and develop its own personality. Plus, it’s an interesting way to reach out to commuters who, stuck in their cars for long stretches of time on their way to/from work, can’t otherwise access the paper’s content.