Just wanted to mention that at 5AM this morning, Brewer Broadcasting completed their signal upgrade on 95.3 FM and dropped "Jack FM" to go news/talk as WPLZ "95-3 Pulse News". The station is featuring local anchors and hosts in mornings, afternoons, and for an hour at noon, and are focusing on news more than talk during those shows. The rest of the day features syndicated fare from Glenn Beck, Clarke Howard, Jason Lewis, and delayed Dennis Miller. Also, they have several local reporters on staff and are using dual, tag team news anchors during most local news breaks. They've also picked up both Fox News Radio and CBS News for national newscasts. The station is tied in with the local weekly alternative newspaper "The Pulse" which Brewer also owns. And they are sharing a website at
www.chattanoogapulse.com.
It is a bit of a different take on the traditional news/talk stations with an odd name and more emphasis on news. Should be interesting to see how it fares. Also, it is the markets second FM talker and will be going head to head with crosstown Citadel owned "Talk Radio 102.3" WGOW FM. (Also, of note, they have two former WGOW hosts in both AM and PM drive).
Also, on a sidenote, as far as "Jack FM" goes; at midnight last night suburban WSAA FM Benton, TN picked up the satellite feed of the Jack FM format, and returned it to the market as "93-1 Jack FM". The signal isn't quite as good in Chattanooga as 95.3 was, but it is listenable and did target Chattanooga before with a Spanish/Reg. Mexican format. It is owned by East Tn. Radio Group which also owns WAYA "Tennessee 93.9" Decatur, TN.
