Country KZLA Gives Way To Movin Format; Rick Dees To Do Mornings

Rick Dees' New Home

EMMIS COMMUNICATIONS and DEES ENTERTAINMENT have announced the launch of MOVIN 93.9, "The Mix That Makes You Move," and former KIIS-FM/LOS ANGELES morning legend RICK DEES will do morning drive.

The format change took place at 10:15a (PT) when midday personality SHAWN PARR played KEITH URBAN/Tonight I Wanna Cry.  MOVIN 93.9 replaces the longtime Country format of KZLA. This leaves both NEW YORK and LOS ANGELES without Country stations -- but ALL ACCESS hears that meetings are already underway in LOS ANGELES to explore a new home for Country.

"We’re overjoyed that RICK DEES will be joining EMMIS COMMUNICATIONS and Movin 93.9,” said EMMIS  VP/Programming JIMMY STEAL who will also program the station, "RICK’s passion for LOS ANGELES’ morning radio is legendary and his live & local show is a perfect fit for MOVIN 93.9. We can’t wait for him to start! He’s the perfect compliment to this exciting new format."

KZLA PD R.J. CURTIS will stay through a transitionary period, and will stay on to program KZLA's online stream and HD2 Channel.

"EMMIS is the perfect fit," said RICK DEES. "I’ve been presented with many opportunities, and the new MOVIN 93.9 gets me excited like I’ve never been before! We will have an All-Star team ready to deliver a great morning show for SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA."

EMMIS VP/Radio Division VAL MAKI said, "This is one of the most exciting opportunities we’ve seen in any radio market. The potential audience has told us that they want something new and fun. The combination of this music and RICK DEES make this the perfect answer to the needs of the marketplace. We are privileged to launch this station and I applaud the entire team." 

The MOVIN 93.9 Rhythmic Pop Contemporary format is a collaboration of the EMMIS programming team, and ZAPOLEON MEDIA STRATEGIES President GUY ZAPOLEON who is the consultant. EMMIS purchased the rights to use the MOVIN' name from ALAN BURNS & ASSOCIATES. Core artists include Rhythmic Pop Contemporary stars like BEYONCE’, GWEN STEFANI, USHER, JENNIFER LOPEZ, BLACK EYED PEAS, MADONNA, JANET JACKSON, and GNARLS BARKLEY.

STEAL is in the process of assembling an airstaff.  Interested applicants should apply to: CRISTINA ZOIDA for JIMMY STEAL, KPWR, 2600 W. Olive, 8th Floor, BURBANK, CA 91505. No calls or emails.

Look for a call letter change, soon.  And expect marketing featuring airplane banners, bussides, viral marketing and TV ads to begin shortly.

KZLA continues to be available via Internet streaming as well as on MOVIN 93.9’s HD Radio side channel. Go to www.kzla.com for more info. The new site addresses, www.movin939.com as well as www.movin939.fm will be active, soon.

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