Infinity Unveils Stern Replacement, "Free FM" Plans

Not much going on in liberal talk, but the big news in talk radio will be about Infinity Broadcasting, who have officially rolled out their post-Stern strategy.

Finally, INFINITY announces its "HOWARD STERN Replacement Strategy,' and as ALL ACCESS was first to confirm, the station is relaunching several stations as FM Talk "FREE FM." As part of the new strategy, DAVID LEE ROTH and ADAM CAROLLA have been officially announced as STERN's replacement in NEW YORK and LOS ANGELES, respectively, starting JANUARY 3. STERN will have his last broadcast on the INFINITY stations DECEMBER 16.

ROTH's show will also air on KLLI (LIVE 105.3)/DALLAS, WYSP/PHILADELPHIA, WBCN/BOSTON, WRKZ/PITTSBURGH. WNCX/CLEVELAND, and WPBZ (103.1 THE BUZZ)/WEST PALM BEACH. CAROLLA will air on new FM Talk convert KIFR/SAN FRANCISCO, KPLN (THE PLANET)/SAN DIEGO, KZON/PHOENIX, KUFO/PORTLAND, and KXTE (EXTREME RADIO)/LAS VEGAS.

CAROLLA's longtime comedy partner JIMMY KIMMEL will serve as Creative Consultant for CAROLLA's show and an advisor for INFINITY.

WXTM/CLEVELAND morning man ROVER will add WCKG/CHICAGO, WKRK/DETROIT, WAQZ/CINCINNATI, WMFS/MEMPHIS, and WZNE/ROCHESTER and will be based at WCKG. THE JUNKIES will move to mornings at WJFK/WASHINTON and will also be heard on WHFS/BALTIMORE. KITS (LIVE 105.3)/SAN FRANCISCO will replace STERN with "THE MORNING MUSIC CO-OP," a music-intensive show.

Rock WYSP/PHILADELPHIA, Classic Rock KPLN/SAN DIEGO, and the new KIFR/SAN FRAOCISCO are launching the "FREE FM" Talk format TODAY (10/25). WXRK (92.3 K-ROCK)/NEW YORK will flip to Talk as "FREE FM" in JANUARY, and FM Talk KLSX/LOS ANGELES, WCKG/CHICAGO, KLLI/DALLAS, WJFK/WASHINGTON, WKRK/DETROIT, and WHFS/BALTIMORE are all being rebranded "FREE FM" as of TODAY as well.

Part of the new programming will be a one-hour daily show starting JANUARY for "PENN AND TELLER"'s PENN JILLETTE. The show will air on WXRK, WCKG, KIFR, WJFK, WKRK, KPLN, WHFS, and KSFN-A/LAS VEGAS.

INFINITY's JOEL HOLLANDER says “when we set out to find a replacement for HOWARD STERN we took the opportunity to cultivate a wide array of talent, from both in and out of the radio industry. With ROTH, we’ve found someone who continues to evolve his career and deliver for his legion of fans. ADAM’s depth of entertainment experience is unmatched in radio. And JIMMY has a proven track record of creating winning shows for both radio and television. Couple that with an impressive roster of emerging talent and formats and we have all the necessary elements for INFINITY to continue as the major player in morning drive.”

At KXBT (THE BEAT 104.3)/AUSTIN, STERN's replacement will be the syndicated STAR AND BUC WILD.

ALL ACCESS hears that the lineup at the new KIFR/SAN FRANCISCO may include some former morning shows in the market.