Get ready for a game-changing upgrade in Tampa Bay's sports radio scene! A powerful FM signal boost is coming to WDAE, and it's about to shake things up.
IHeartMedia has revealed an exciting plan to enhance WDAE's reach, giving it a mighty 100kW FM signal to complement its AM frequency. This move is a big deal, especially for sports enthusiasts, as WDAE is the go-to station for play-by-play action of the Tampa Bay Rays, University of Florida basketball, and football. Program Director Nick Wize is thrilled, and rightly so, as this upgrade promises an even more immersive sports experience for fans.
But here's where it gets interesting: Market President Russell Robertson sees this as more than just a signal boost. He believes it strengthens their long-standing partnerships with major sports teams and reflects their commitment to serving Tampa Bay listeners across various platforms.
This evolution brings a full-powered FM Sports station to Tampa for the first time since CBS' brief experiment with "98.7 The Fan" WHFS-FM.
Now, here's a twist: the popular Spanish CHR brand "Rumba 95.7" is moving to 95.3 W237CW and 102.9 W275AZ Tampa, currently home to Classic Hip Hop "106.5 The Beat" WBTP Sarasota. SVP/Programming PJ Gonzalez assures us that Rumba will continue to deliver its vibrant, high-energy music mix tailored to Tampa Bay's Latino community, with stars like Enrique Santos and local talents Sarykarmen Rivera and Flip Rios keeping the entertainment flowing.
WDAE's recent Nielsen Audio ratings showed a solid 2.2 share, while WRUB, its new FM partner, boasted a 2.1 share, outperforming other Spanish Tropical FMs in the market.
So, what do you think? Is this a win for sports fans and the Latino community? Or does it raise concerns about the future of other radio formats in Tampa Bay? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
