WTMP Switches Back To Urban Format

Tom Joyner

ALL ACCESS has learned that effective today under a Time Brokerage Agreement--WEST COAST MEDIA GROUP, a Tampa based company has subleased Spanish Tropical WTMP (1150  LA BAHIA)/TAMPA from STRAIGHT WAY RADIO.  The station had been operating under a Time Brokerage Agreement by  the DAVIDSON MEDIA GROUP with TAMA BROADCASTING from 2011 until today.   The new operators are switching back to an Urban Contemporary format which it had been for 57 years prior to the brief 3 years DAVIDSON operated it as Spanish Tropical.

Station General Manager LAWRENCE HIRES said, "We've been gone for way too long.  This community needs it's voice back and AM 1150 WTMP is that voice."

Earlier today there was some confusion  as to the ownership, however new recently released information has brought clarity to the situation.

Receiver for TAMA BROADCASTING SCOTT SAVAGE told ALL ACCESS, "I am happy to have clarified any confusion that may have been caused by previously inaccurate information which was previously released to the press."

The change means the return of REACH MEDIA's TOM JOYNER MORNING SHOW, REV. AL SHARPON, JAMES FORTUNE, D.L. HUGHLEY, and hired veteran broadcaster LARRY STEELE to be PD and do 10a-1p.  The new lineup will begin MONDAY, MAY 5th.

STEELE added, "We are a heritage station with an operator now who understands how much of a value we are to this community.  As we all know in this busines, it is rare when a format is changed and then changed back, it just does not happen.  We have been given a second chance and we are moving forward with a hybrid of Classic R & B mixed with the new Talk concept.  What we do will be geared towards those who like Urban and all the things it can do."

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