WLIR-FM TO SWITCH FORMAT TO SMOOTH JAZZ & CHILL

On Thursday, September 15, long-time Modern Rock station WLIR-FM will switch to a mix of Adult Contemporary, Smooth Jazz and Chill music as "FM Channel 107: NeoBreeze." The Long Island, New York station will be commercial and jock-free, however they will have advertisers who will sponsor airtime but not run quick traditional commercials. Calling it "brandcasting," sponsors will buy four quick mentions an hour and the stations will encourage not just traditional advertisers, but listeners to buy a "brandcast" for whatever they want to announce. The brandcasts can even be purchased online. NeoBreeze will not have an airstaff and only minimal imaging. Owners of the stations (The Morey Organization) are making the changes to better compete with iPods, satellite and Internet radio. Two other Long Island stations are also being revamped at the same time by The Morey Organization: Dance station WDRE will be tweaked as a CHR/Pop station called "FM Channel 105: Party Hits," and Classic Rock WBON will become "FM Channel 98: Long Island Rock."