Praise 107.9 Pulls the Plug on Gospel Music for R&B as "Classix 107.9"
UPDATE: Classix 107.9 announced it will play Praise, Gospel, Inspirational Music on Sundays from 6 am to 7 pm. They will return to Classic R&B at 7:00 pm and Monday through Saturday.
Radio One Philadelphia has dropped the Gospel Inspiration music on "Praise 107.9" (WPPZ) for R&B Oldies as "Classix 107.9." The station is focusing on R&B hits from the mid 1970's and early 1980's with a playlist that features TSOP "The Sound Of Philadelphia."
WPPZ is the second station Radio One uses “Classix” as its branding. The other station is Classix 102.9 in Atlanta, which features the Tom Joyner Morning Show. The TJMS is no longer heard in the Philly market, perhaps a return to the Philadelphia airwaves may be in order. However, the weekend "Right Back at Cha" with Tom Joyner is heard on Saturday mornings on 100.3 WRNB, the former home to the TJMS.
The trend now with many Urban AC stations, such as 100.3 WRNB, has been to incorporate more and more classic Hip Hop into their playlist and to drop older music. The station a few months ago dropped the John Monds hosted "Love and R&B" show for local host DJ Touchtone and a more upbeat night show from 7 p.m.-12 midnight.
Praise 107.9 will live on as "Praise Philly" on 107.9 FM HD2 radio, online at PraisePhilly.com, Amazon Alexa, and on your phone's app. Radio One is hopeful that the former listeners will be savvy enough to find Praise Philly from the aforementioned options. But for most listeners, the hard fact is, they no longer exist on traditional terrestrial radio.
Praise 107.9 Isn’t Going Anywhere – We Are Now on HD 2 Channel https://t.co/vlf5SQA0m9— Praise 107.9 (@PraisePhilly) December 11, 2018
Will there be the same outcry with Philly Gospel radio listeners as there was in Detroit, when Radio One sold Praise 102.7 and replaced it with a series of four low-powered FM stations known as The Detroit Praise Network and a phone app?
Check back for the new hosts on Classix 107.9.
Now this is a PHILADELPHIA CLASSIX! The new home of the SOUND OF PHILADELPHIA! Listen live on Classix 107.9 and follow us on @classixphilly now!!— classixphilly (@classixphilly) December 10, 2018
(Photo Credit: Getty Images) pic.twitter.com/hkQovt2Eqh
What is your favorite #MichaelJackson track from #OffTheWall?! You can now listen to the best of the 70's and 80's on @classixphilly 107.9! Philadelphia's new home for the SOUNDS OF PHILADELPHIA! pic.twitter.com/46gGZM8q3G— classixphilly (@classixphilly) December 10, 2018
There needs to be a gospel radio station in Philadelphia. They took GOD out of schools look what happened, schools are a mess...philly need GOD/inspiration...
ReplyDeletePRAISE 107.9 is gone, this is an outrage! Now their is no Black Gospel Station here in the Philly area? What a shame.
ReplyDeleteThis is horrible. There wasn't even a message indicating that 107.9 is no longer a gospel station. The world has even corrupted the gospel station now! I am speechless.
ReplyDeleteYou guys suck!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't understand the need to pull the Gospel station. Please bring it back, not just on Sunday, seven days a week.
ReplyDeleteWhy was this necessary, isn't there enough r&b stations in philly? Why do we have to be force to use the internet for Gospel music and then they assume everyone have access to apps or internet.
ReplyDeleteGod still live. He will have the victory over all. Man will continue to be blinded until his eyes are open. Let just hope this group has vision before its to late. Philly needs this Gospel station for all to hear. To God Be The Glory!
ReplyDeleteI just found out they were playing Gospel on Sundays. I still refuse to listen. I looked forward to listening in my car for that hour long ride to work and to feed my spirit for the day. You have ruined that for me. Trying to pacify me with one day doesn't work. I'll listen to iheartradio instead. That's what I think about ya'll. .
ReplyDeleteI can’t believe they took the gospel station away we need it I listen everyday before work after work this is crazy why let the devil work we need some type gospel on the radio not just one day I will pray they put it back
ReplyDeleteThat is crazy, no warning at all. I won't be listening
ReplyDeleteI will NOT support this station via the app. They are so inconsiderate because many seniors aren't tech savvy and don't care to download apps on their phones! Although Reach Gospel (97.1 in Philly & 103.5 in Delaware County) which is based in Newark, DE doesn't come in clear in some neighborhoods, I don't mind supporting them. As a matter of fact, I like them better than 107.9. Their listening audience has skyrocketed over the past several weeks. They were just nominated for a Stellar Award. They're also based inside of a church (Faith City Church). Many of 107.9's former on air personalities are now on Reach (Lonnie Hunter, Dezzie, Cece McGhee, Miss Kala). Coincidence or no?? Hmmm
ReplyDeleteI miss listening to this station on the way to and from work. It was inspirational and helped me to prepare for the day.
ReplyDeleteI am happy to find like-minded listeners who do not agree with the decision that WPPZ has made. The loss of this genre of music leaves a huge hole in the spiritual health of the city and it is not a good decision. I would like to start a petition to Praise 107.9 back on the airwaves, but it would be my first time doing so. If anyone has any resources or past experience with setting one up, please let me know. Thank You!
ReplyDeleteHow could y'all take the praise and worship station off the air 107.9 and make it R&B station why
ReplyDelete