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DC Radio Moves Will Feature FM-Only WTOP And More...
 Bonneville International is making a series of changes they say will better serve the news, information and music interests of radio listeners in the DC community.
The moves include Bonneville’s flagship, News Radio WTOP relocating to 103.5 FM. Taking WTOP’s former dial positions will be a new venture called Washington Post Radio, to be broadcast on 1500 AM and 107.7 FM starting in late March.
“WTOP has been the source for news and information in emergencies like the 9/11 terrorist attacks as well as threatening weather, school closings, and traffic for the community,” said Bonneville SVP Joel Oxley. “At 103.5 on the FM dial, listeners will get better reception. They will hear WTOP in their homes and offices throughout the region. It will also strengthen the signal in cars driving in the downtown area.”
Bonneville will own and operate both WTOP and Washington Post Radio. Washington Post Radio’s programming will include in-depth local, national and international news and commentary provided by The Post's reporters, editors, and columnists as well as news makers and other local media personalities. Bonneville will also pursue play-by-play sports for evening and weekend broadcasts on Washington Post Radio.
“These exciting changes will help us meet the growing needs of the Washington community for news, information, music and emergency services,” said Bruce Reese, president & CEO of Bonneville International Corporation. “We are strengthening the reach and clarity of WTOP, working with the Washington Post to broadcast a new diverse radio format and building on the proud legacy of classical music in Washington.”
“Our venture with the Washington Post will add a new dimension to radio in Washington,” Reese added. “It will be smart, savvy, provocative, and thoughtful. News hungry Washington is the best town for this new format.”
Classical station WGMS will move to 104.1/103.9 FM replacing Modern Rock Z104. In addition, Bonneville has launched two new classical stations that will be broadcast digitally using HD Radio technology. One station will play traditional classical music like that played on WGMS but will feature more in-depth programming. The other will be an on-air broadcast of the Web-based opera and choral music station, Viva La Voce.
“Listeners will be able to enjoy CD-quality broadcasts of their favorite symphonies, concertos, chamber music, and operas with the addition of a receiver with HD Radio technology to their car, office or home entertainment systems,” Oxley said. “And in tech savvy Washington, listeners will also be able to stream WGMS and Viva La Voce right to their desks and homes over the Internet.”
WGMS’ move to 104.1/103.9 FM will take place immediately. Until the launch of Washington Post Radio, WTOP will be simulcast on 103.5 FM and 1500 AM and 107.7 FM.
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