Maybe it was a sign of things to come when they ditched afternoon drive hosts Pugs and Kelly last month, but another DFW station has decided to change format.
KDBN FM 93.3, formerly The Bone, is shelving classic rock for Quality Rock. That's not my opinion, that's the station's name -- Quality Rock.
Despite the bland brand, the station will feature safe, adult alternative artists such as The Dave Matthews Band, U2 and REM instead of Pink Floyd, the Eagles and Stevie Ray Vaughan. This format sounds familiar to FM 93.3. Remember The Zone or Merge? (Bring back Jeff K and subMerge and you can once again add me as a listener. But, I digress.)
"We've taken a close look at what the market is missing and feel FM 93.3 Quality Rock is a great fit for the Metroplex as well as our cluster of radio stations," said Dan Bennett, vice president and market manager for Cumulus Media.
The switch is the third format change in recent months for DFW stations trying to find listeners in a tough market. In December, 105.3 changed to mostly sports talk with The Fan and in February Movin' 107.5 changed to a Spanish language adult contemporary station.
As is the norm, with 93.3's format change comes a change in talent. Quality Rock will syndicate the Atlanta-based guy-talk show The Regular Guys (Larry Wachs, Eric Von Haessler, and Southside Steve) during the morning drive from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. I haven't heard the show, but for those without satellite radio this is probably as close as you may come to Howard Stern in this market since Russ Martin left the airwaves.
Those who wish to sample the quality offerings of the all-new 93.3 can listen to the station live through their Web site: fm933qualityrock.com.
The fate of The Bone's remaining on-air talent has not yet been revealed and no further schedule for Quality Rock has been released.
