It's been common knowledge for some time that Howard Stern will be leaving KROCK 92.3 (WXRK New York) and terrestrial radio in general in favor of Sirius Satellite Radio at year's end.

And it has also been made official that for most markets, either Adam Corolla or David Lee Roth will be replacing Stern's highly rated show in the same timeslot when he leaves.

But the big news at least for today is that come January, KROCK 92.3 (WXRK New York) and many other stations around the country will be adopting a new format, called Free FM, an all-talk-radio jab at Howard and satellite.

I don't listen to all that much radio anymore, but I when in the NY/NJ metro area, I could always count on KROCK 92.3 to play halfway decent music, but apparently no more music at all starting January.

Why KROCK would adopt an all-talk format, full of Stern-clone shock jocks, after they lose Howard is beyond me. These new shows will no-doubtedly try to capitalize on the Stern audience that isn't ready to pay for radio, but will most likely try to duplicate his format without being as edgy. One of the main reasons Howard bolted to satellite was to avoid the FCC decency complications, and as the FCC's bloodlust can never be satiated, these new shows will find the same issues to deal with.

Can't protect a ratings-winner from the FCC? Let it walk and replace it with watered down, stretched to the limit, hours upon hours of similar crap and hope something sticks. Why Not?

Can't compete with everyone on the planet owning Ipods? Just give up on music and fill the airwaves with self-indulgent blather. Why Not?

The Free FM standardized format change is much like the JACK FM format that has recently swept through the nation's markets. JACK FM, if you aren't aware, is a DJ-less, genre jumping format that is meant to mimic an Ipod playlist on shuffle.

And according to HowardStern.com, Artie Lange said today: ...hearing Free FM will remind people that there are other forms of radio out there. As a result people will be more likely to look into satellite if they become unhappy with what old fashioned radio has to offer. Artie added that if he was driving a "free" car that kept breaking down, he’d eventually look for a car that cost money, but actually worked.

I originally came across this story when I was visiting the Upright Citizens Brigade website and found that Jake Fogelnest, a UCB member and KROCK DJ had been fired after he found out about the format change.

Speaking of UCB, i put up some UCB videos in the media section.

danwho kissed you on the nose on 10.26.05 @ 07:33 PM [link]