AFTER 30 YEARS, KISS-FM NEW YORK GOES OFF THE AIR APRIL 30th!

ESPN-New York moves to 98.7, bumping urban AC “Kiss”

Complicated story involving Emmis, ESPN and the company that is taking over urban WBLS (107.5) and WLIB (1190). First, Emmis will LMA its WRKS/98.7 to ESPN. 98.7 becomes the new home of the English-language ESPN Radio franchise in the Big Apple. Until September, ESPN will simulcast its New York-market WEPN (1050) on 98.7. This Fall, 1050 becomes the new home of Spanish language “ESPN Deportes.” As for urban AC “Kiss”, Emmis CEO Jeff Smulyan says “recent changes in the way radio ratings are measured”—meaning the Arbitron PPM—”made it very difficult for us to find success with Kiss FM.” He says “we hope the best parts of Kiss will live on.” That leads to an intellectual property deal that likely moves the “Kiss” identity to 107.5 WBLS. The new YMF Media is taking over WBLS and WLIB from Inner City in a Chapter 11 transaction. Smulyan thanks the employees at “Kiss” WRKS, and this weekend, the station will celebrate “30 years of Kiss FM”, since Emmis bought the station in 1994. The new “ESPN New York 98.7” debuts Monday, April 30.
The New York Board of Radio-Info.com is talking about the move of “Kiss.”

Now what happens at WBLS, New York and with the Kiss staff?

Some of those questions are answered in a press release from Inner City. To start, the syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show and the afternoon Michael Baisden Show both lose their New York affiliate. They will not be moving over to WBLS. Kiss midday personality Shaila and night host Lenny Greene will be making the move over, to handle their respective shifts. Shaila steps into the shift left vacant by Egypt in February. Greene will replace Keith Sweat at night, who hosted “the Quiet Storm.” In addition, all this weekend, both WBLS and “Kiss” will say farewell to the station on air, and  celebrate its 30 years of service to the city of New York. That will include some unusual simulcasts of 98.7 and 107.5, longtime rivals.

WBLS VP/General Manager Deon Levingston says: “WBLS and WRKS have been the voice of the tri-state black community for 30 years and we plan to merge the best of both stations to create a stronger voice to deliver the best in R&B music while also super serving our community.”

Emmis New York SVP/General Manager Alexandra Cameron adds: “I extend my gratitude and deepest thanks to the many special people that created the memories and sense of community that KISS FM delivered for 30 years. Emmis will be forever grateful. We are so very glad that a part of KISS will remain remembered through WBLS programming as they welcome beloved personalities like Shaila and Lenny Green.”