Cumulus Media dropped the Hip Hop “Hot 106” format on 106.3 WWKX Woonsocket/Providence RI and began stunting at midnight.
The music appears to be Halloween themed with Santana “Evil Ways”, Lady Gaga “Bad Romance”, Warren Zevon “Werewolves of London”, Metro Boomin ft. The Weekend & 21 Savage “Creepin”, and Thomas Dolby “She Blinded Me With Science” heard along with a sweeper stating “Be Afraid. Be Very Afraid” and another of a jackhammer.
As noted on Wednesday, morning hosts ‘Mike D’ DaSilva and Alexus Lee have exited the station. Most of the other on-air staffers of the station are also exiting with the upcoming format change.
Update 11/1: The stunting continues on Friday, November 1 celebrating the “Day of the Dead” with non-stop Grateful Dead.
I have never understood the purpose of stunting. It gets noticed by people in the industry, but listeners couldn’t give a damn and may be confused. If you are gonna change the format, change the format.
The purpose in theory is to generate attention so that when the new format launches people become aware of the new brand right away. In many cases, the stunt does not last long enough to accomplish the goal.