Merlin Media Officially Launches FM News 101.9/New York

Official

MERLIN MEDIA officially announced the launch of the new All-News "FM NEWS 101.9" format at WEMP/NEW YORK after the format's soft launch on FRIDAY morning (NET NEWS 8/12) and several weeks of stunting with Hot AC, news reports, and features. 

"As music moves to the mobile device, now is the time to put spoken word on the band most people use. Our content will target the people who already use FM radio, but will focus on interesting, real-time information," said CEO RANDY MICHAELS. "Our one-to-many broadcasts will be supplemented by personalized, one-to-one interactive content so that instead of commercials that interrupt a tired music playlist, we offer our marketing partners multiplatform solutions that build brands and move product in the best possible environment."
 
"Spoken word, since the beginning of radio, has consistently been the top billing format in the world. The one-on-one relationship with the radio is an active, impactful, natural and entirely compelling experience," said COO WALTER SABO. "FM NEWS 101.9 is offering a format that's truly one-of-a-kind, and by broadcasting on the FM band, we'll reach a large demographic that's hungry for this type of content."
 
"No one gets their news from a singular source in today's fragmented media world. In developing our strategy for FM NEWS 101.9, we really wanted to create a unique environment that presents inspiring, relatable, pleasant and fun content that comes to you just as it would from a friend," said VP of Programming LIZ AIELLO. "That's how our listeners want to share and consume news and information because that's how it actually happens in our daily lives."
 
Among the staffers, several of whom were previously reported as joining the station, are former crosstown CBS RADIO News WINS-A anchor ALICE STOCKTON-ROSSINI, Oldies WCBS-F personality DAVE PACKER in mornings, veteran talk host HILARIE BARSKY anchoring afternoons, and SIRIUS XM HOWARD 100 NEWS reporter STEVE LANGFORD, ABC NEWS RADIO's DANIELA BILOTTA, SIRIUS XM COSMO RADIO's VICTORIA KEELAN, market veteran VINNY MARINO, and WINS reporters BRETT LARSON and CATHERINE SMITH.

The site is up at 1019fmnew.com, but not streaming the audio yet.  A listener survey is on the site.

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