THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 12, 1996 TAG: 9609120046
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SUE VANHECKE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 27 lines
WKOC-FM (93.7) will return to its original ``adult album alternative'' format - and be rechristened The Coast - next Thursday.
The station received a new name, K94, and format - alternative and classic rock during the day and harder rock and heavy metal at night - when it was purchased earlier this year by Norfolk-based Sinclair Communications. The syndicated ``Howard Stern Show'' airs in morning drive.
``An overwhelming number of phone calls, letters and faxes'' from listeners prompted the return to the original format, said Bob Sinclair, vice president and general manager of Sinclair Communications. The format features easy-listening modern and mainstream rock from such artists as U2, Peter Gabriel, the Dave Matthews Band and Hootie & The Blowfish.
Perry Stone, morning show co-host and program director at WKOC's sister station, WROX-FM (96.1), will serve as The Coast's programming director.
Stern's show will remain in morning drive, followed by returning Coast announcers Dal Hunter, Kristi Michael and Terri Michel. Les Wooten, another ex-Coaster, joined K94 just after its purchase. He will follow Hunter.
Other Coast programming features will return, too, including the ``Theme Park'' show at noon and ``Coast After Hours'' in the evening. by CNB