South Florida visitors simply acquired much more irritating for followers of indie rock as 104.3 The Shark has transitioned into the brand new FM house of 560 WQAM sports-talk radio.
Station proprietor Audacy stated the abrupt change — which got here Thursday afternoon as The Shark was enjoying Alice In Chains’ “Man within the Field” — was in response to listener calls for.
The Shark, based mostly in Miramar, was the least in style of Audacy’s 5 music stations, rating No. 20 amongst all metro-Miami radio stations in Nielsen rankings launched in July. WQAM was No. 27.
The brand new WQAM outlet, with name letters WQAM-FM topic to FCC approval, presents a simulcast of programming heard on the unique 560 AM station by way of a stronger, 100,000-watt FM sign, a boon to native sports activities followers lengthy irritated by balky AM reception.
WQAM is house to the Miami Dolphins, Miami Warmth, Florida Panthers and Miami Hurricanes, together with speak reveals “The Joe Rose Present,” “Tobin & Leroy” and “Hochman, Crowder & Solana.”
A press release from Audacy regional president Claudia Menegus stated South Florida sports activities followers’ “unequalled ardour” was deserving of “a vacation spot that matches their vitality.”
Michael McCullough, chief advertising officer of the Miami Warmth, stated the expanded FM sign “will deliver much more followers, listeners, and a youthful, extra numerous viewers” to Warmth broadcasts.
The transfer got here three weeks earlier than the Miami Hurricanes open their season with a nationally televised sport in opposition to Notre Dame at Exhausting Rock Stadium on Aug. 31. The Dolphins start their season on Sept. 7 on the Indianapolis Colts.
Whereas sports activities followers rejoice over a stronger radio sign for video games and associated banter, alternative-music lovers have misplaced one other supplier of songs by 9 Inch Nails, Nirvana and Inexperienced Day. Some might flip to BIG 105.9-FM, the place music from these bands might be present in a playlist dominated by traditional rock hits.
One other over-the-air various is WKPX 88.5-FM, a noncommercial, academic radio station operated by Broward County Public Colleges. It contains a numerous mixture of music — Pixies, Pearl Jam, Pet Store Boys — however at 3,000 watts is tough to get when you cross the Broward County line.
An Instagram publish from one fan of The Shark stated: “For many people, it wasn’t only a station — it was a uncommon place to take heed to various music we couldn’t discover anyplace else. The shortage of discover or communication has left us loyal listeners feeling blindsided and unheard.”
After all, most followers of different music get their repair by streaming songs on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and different sources. For those who’re in or close to Palm Seashore County, you’ll be able to tune into Alt 95.5.
It stays to be seen what impact the loss of life of South Florida’s main alternative-music radio station could have on touring selections of musicians heard on The Shark. Already geographically difficult, is the area now philosophically undesirable, too?
This transfer comes lower than a yr after Audacy quietly canceled the 2024 Riptide Music Competition, the two-day, indie-music gathering it had organized since 2016 on Fort Lauderdale seashore.
The 2023 Riptide Music Competition that passed off that December featured a robust lineup that included headliners The Black Keys and Jelly Roll, joined by Soiled Heads, Elegant with Rome, Awolnation, Silversun Pickups and others.
The cancellation of Riptide 2024 got here as Audacy was rising from Chapter 11 chapter, a course of accomplished in January. No phrase but from Audacy on any plans to resurrect Riptide, however it will appear much more unlikely with the demise of The Shark, which promoted Riptide closely.
Employees author Ben Crandell might be reached at bcrandell@sunsentinel.com. Comply with on IG: @BenCrandell.