SMOOTH JAZZ RADIO WJCD SWITCHES FORMATS

Clear Channel Radio in Norfolk, VA has switched some of their stations, bringing an end to one of the last remaining large-market Smooth Jazz stations. The Oldies format that had been airing on WCDG at 92.1 heads to WKUS and relaunches as "Magic 105.3." That moves WKUS's Urban Adult Contemporary programming to a simulcast on 92.1 and 107.7, taking over the latter frequency from Smooth Jazz WJCD. With regard to the new Magic 105.3, Clear Channel Radio/Norfolk Operating Manager Travis Dylan told the Virginian-Pilot, "It's not a new format like you were creating some kind of monster in the laboratory format. This is a format that is out there in other markets and they've had success with it. We feel that Hampton Roads deserves a station like this." He said the flips were in response to surveys over the past year and to ratings issues. "Whenever that happens, you have to look hard at your options," Dylan said. "And we felt this was an option that would work here based on the needs of this area."