The recent changes in the New York radio landscape have sparked renewed interest in local programming. The cancellation of “Ebro in the Morning” on MediaCo Hip Hop “Hot 97” WQHT and the departures of Miss Jones and Ed Lover from Audacy’s “94.7 The Block” WXBK marked significant shifts that have caught the attention of radio listeners after years of relative stagnation.
Initially, the two stories broke on Friday, leading many to speculate a connection between the cancellations and exits. However, further investigation has clarified that any relationship between the two events appears to be coincidental. Additionally, there were rumors circulating on Sunday that Funkmaster Flex might move into the morning slot at WQHT, which he later denied, stating he was only set to fill in for the day.
“Ebro in the Morning” had already been seeing a decline, with a dwindling number of syndication affiliates, which included stations like Connoisseur Media’s “We 102.9” in Portland, OR, and Major Keystone’s “Loud Radio” network in the Pennsylvania area. This week, these affiliates are running best-of shows, while Superadio Networks indicated plans to debut new programming related to the show in the future.
At the heart of this new programming approach is a focus on YouTube distribution, with Ebro, Peter Rosenberg, and Laura Stylez promoting a new channel dubbed “The NEW and OFFICIAL Home for The Ebro Laura Rosenberg Show!” There is speculation about the involvement of former Alpha Media EVP/Content Phil Becker in this venture.
Meanwhile, both WQHT and WXBK are poised to introduce new morning shows in 2026. Hot 97 has quietly launched “Tri-State of Mind,” a Saturday morning show featuring comedians Ken Starz, Ray Ray, and Linda Aybar. Observers have noted similarities between this initiative and “Power 106” KPWR Los Angeles’ “Brown Bag Mornings,” which successfully transitioned from a video podcast format to a radio morning show.
WXBK, which has struggled since its rebranding from Country in October 2021, has not made a significant impact, particularly due to its challenging signal from New Jersey. The station has experienced low ratings, with shares slipping from 2.2 to 1.7, then down to 1.2 over the past three months. In contrast, WQHT and iHeartMedia’s “Power 105.1” WWPR-FM have been enjoying upward trends, with WQHT reaching a remarkable 4.3 share, its best performance since 2005.
The departures of Jones and Lover were reportedly motivated by budget cuts linked to the station’s low ratings. However, insiders are not expecting an immediate format change at either station. This period of transition may serve as an opportunity for both stations to rethink their strategies and better connect with listeners in an evolving radio market.