Posted by MRA Media Critic on December 28, 2014 at 10:02:51:
And the Journal Sentinel's 'Chris Foran' whoever that is, gives this site no mention at all of course.
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'Rhythmic oldies' replaces Martini Radio on WZTI-AM (1290), 100.3 FM
So long, Martini Radio. Welcome, "The Party."
WZTI-AM (1290), which also broadcasts at 100.3 on the FM dial, switched to a new "rhythmic oldies" format at 5 p.m. Thursday, more than seven weeks after the stations shelved their adult-standards Martini Radio format in favor of Christmas music.
In a statement, the station says "rhythmic oldies" will draw from a "wide variety of artists from the '60s to the '90s and aimed at adults 35-54." Staple artists in the format include Diana Ross and the Supremes, The Bee Gees, Barry White, Donna Summer, KC and the Sunshine Band, Earth, Wind & Fire, Michael Jackson, Madonna and more.
The stations kicked off the new format Thursday with Prince's "1999" (as in "Tonight we're going to party like it's...").
The stations, part of the Milwaukee Radio Alliance, were the first in Milwaukee to switch to all-Christmas music this year, on Nov. 1, as "The Elf." At that time, program director Stan Atkinson said the stations planned to revert to Martini mode after Christmas.
Earlier this month, WZTI began airing promos touting a "big announcement" of the new format Christmas Day but was otherwise mum on what it would be. The industry newsletter Radio Insight reported Wednesday that the station had set up MilwaukeesParty.com and 1003TheParty.com in anticipation of the change.
Although WZTI had said it was going to go back to its old programming, the flip to an all-Christmas format has given cover to numerous stations looking to jump to a new format. According to Radio Insight, at least a half-dozen stations around the country went to all-Christmas music this season as a bridge to a new format.