What will happen to 107.5 WGPR come January 1, 2020??

[Deleted User 14990]

hmm? Maybe a return to what WGPR was or could Adell be entering into a contract with The Masons?

[Mega Hertz]

I believe it will remain black-centric. I don't see a "variety hits" format coming; of course, we haven't heard what moves are being made, be it another LMA, staying in the hands of the Masons, or even an outside purchase, be it Beasley or Adell.

I say no matter what happens, bring back Old School Saturdays. The music I discovered on that program...oh, man...

[CK-722]

Does anyone remember W. Gene Edwards, "The W Snatcher"? He used to do the Old School Saturdays at least part of the time on WGPR.

[Mega Hertz]

I got my hopes up hearing the Tempations' "Silent Night", but then the stupidity started back up again. I will note, however, that my RDS is now only reading 107.5 WGPR. I really hope the Masons just revert to the pre-October 2011 format. I miss that format.

[Steve79]

I would LOVE smooth Jazz! "Jazzy 107-5"

[Mega Hertz]

Well, something is in the works because the RDS now just says "WGPR", so I'll be tuning by here and there to see if there's any stunting or anything this week.

Sounds like they're still running promos for upcoming events, but best I can tell, nothing for after Jan 1.

[Mega Hertz]

It seems 107.5 is now back to promoting the poser-deluxe and former corrections officer Rick Ross concert on Dec. 31 with the RDS.

[MWmetalhead]

No sign yet as to what will be found on 107.5 FM after the clock strikes Midnight.

This web page looks pretty out-of-date:
https://hothiphopdetroit.com/advertising/

Only two concerts are listed on the events page:
https://hothiphopdetroit.com/events/

[Mega Hertz]

I've been tuned in tonight to see if anything goes down. Sounds like a prerecorded mix show. I have not heard but a couple IDs over the music. Yes, nothing being promoted.

Related: I suddenly have an urge to smoke weed and buy a watch.

[Deleted User 14990]

I'm awaiting the debut of Z 107.5 Rocks, Classic metal and Real rock!

Seriously.... I'll be listening at midnight, drinking a 40oz.

[Deleted User 14990]

Nothing yet.

[MWmetalhead]

The station is still running as usual. Weird.

Either Urban One is continuing to operate the station on a day to day basis or the Masons have acquired the intellectual property of Hot 107.5.

I'll have to see if I can pull up the LMA contract from 2011.

[MWmetalhead]

By the way, Hot 107.5 fired its local morning show last summer in favor of airing a new nationally syndicated show from origins unknown ("The Morning Hustle"), and none of us even noticed.

Hey, I personally cannot STAND listening to Hot 107.5 for any length of time!

[MWmetalhead]

First Amendment to Time Brokerage Agreement, which extended the expiry date from December 31, 2016 (inclusive of option exercise) to December 31, 2019:
https://publicfiles.fcc.gov/api/manager ... 6db07c.pdf

Original Time Brokerage Agreement, dated October 20, 2011:
https://publicfiles.fcc.gov/api/manager ... 2e6db3.pdf

The original TBA clearly states that Radio One ("Bell Broadcasting Company") is responsible for advertising sales during the term of the agreement, and that it shall retain all revenue from such sales.

So, now that Radio One is no longer programming the station, and ostensibly, no longer providing the sales staff - who is (a) handling ad sales for WGPR and (b) who is flipping the bill for payroll?!?!

Paragraph 13.4 is interesting!
"Upon the expiration or termination of this Agreement for any reason, the Parties shall cooperate to transition back to WGPR the operation of the Station. Upon such termination, Parties agree to use their respective best efforts to restore...the Station's assets to the status quo existing prior to the Operational Commencement Date (i.e. October 20, 2011), and agree to cooperate with one another to bring about the fair and equitable restoration of each such party to its position prevailing prior to such time. (Snip) The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement."

I would say the above paragraph explains why we're still hearing Hot 107.5 programming on WGPR!

Now, look, the Masons if they so choose can obviously choose to purchase the Hot 107.5 IP (branding, programming contracts, music licensing rights, etc.) if they so choose. Maybe that's what will happen. But given the programming the Masons historically have placed on 107.5 FM, I have a hard time picturing them wanting to retain the low class programming the station currently airs.

It is possible the station will remain in a holding pattern indefinitely until the Masons find someone else to either (a) time broker the station, (b) purchase it outright, or (c) choose to re-assume daily operation themselves.

"Indefinitely" could mean days, weeks, months, or even years!

I would argue "years" would violate the spirit of Paragraph 13.4, and unless Radio One is making handsome month-to-month rent payments to the Masons, I doubt the Masons want Radio One to stick around. Similarly, I doubt Radio One wants an ongoing overhead burden in a market they clearly wish to exit.

The provisions of Schedule 18 are also very interesting. Up to six months after the Termination Date, there are various notices and conditional rights that the Masons must afford Radio One in the event the Masons seek to sell the station outright or enter into a Time Brokerage Agreement with another party. The existence of that provision *might* scare any would-be buyer or lessee.

From a marketability standpoint, it would be beneficial to the Masons for Radio One to unconditionally WAIVE those rights, and put that waiver in writing! If I were legal counsel for the Masons, I'd be urging them to obtain such a waiver from Radio One (Bell Broadcasting Company).

[Mega Hertz]

So what you're saying is, this programming could be on there for another six months, if not permanently?

Damn. All I wanted for my birthday was for that shit to disappear.