Ex-WHJJ talker John DePetro doesn't like his replacement

The death of 920 WHJJ

Posted 10/16/04 The Independent man leaves and the places goes to hell in a hand basket. Air America comes into Providence and kills a once great radio station. Who would put Jeff Charles on a talk station? Charles is a loser who can't survive without playing music. Nobody tunes into HJY to hear that pothead in the afternoon. WPRO becomes the only real talk station in Providence. One of the Independent Man's favorite people just got released from prison. Joe Pannone is one of the all-time great characters of Providence. A true original. Welcome home Joe! Listen as the Independent Man takes off in the Boston radio market. In Rhode Island, listen weekdays to 680 WRKO the Independent Man from 9-12noon.

http://www.depetro.com/report.php3

WHJJ/Providence, RI Lineup

They're keeping some of their shows, so they're not officially a 'progressive talk' station. From what I understand, AAR likes stations to pick up a package of shows. Franken was originally the only show WHJJ wanted, but they accomodated to squeeze in a few others. In addition to Franken, WHJJ adds Morning Sedition, Randi Rhodes and Mike Malloy.

WHJJ 920AM Weekday Schedule

5:00am-5:30am America In The Morning
5:30am-10:00am IMUS In The Morning
10:00am-Noon "Morning Sedition"
Noon-3pm The Al Franken Show
3pm-6pm The Arlene Violet Show (local)
6pm-8pm The Randi Rhodes Show
8pm-10pm Geoff Charles (local)
1:00am-5:00am The Mike Malloy Show

WHJJ operates with a 5000 watt signal that hits virtually all of Rhode Island, and even gets as far as the southern suburbs of Boston. This site has more information about the signal and it's reach.

WHJJ/Providence picks up Franken, other shows

(NOTE: Subscription required for link. I'll boil it down: )

WHJJ-AM is moving sharply to the left.

Starting this morning, the news/talk station at 920 AM will be airing a five-hour block of Air America in the 10 a.m.-to-3 p.m. time slot, formerly the home of John DePetro.

(snip)

"'PRO has the right wing locked up with Mr. Limbaugh. It will be interesting to see how long it takes Al Franken to beat him in the ratings," said Jim Corwin, market manager for the four Clear Channel stations in Rhode Island, including WHJJ. "I doubt it's going to take very long."

Starting today, WHJJ will begin with Imus in the Morning from 6 to 10 a.m., then a delayed broadcast of Air America's morning show, Morning Sedition, which normally begins at 6 a.m.
Then local host Arlene Violet takes over from 3 to 6 p.m., followed by Air America's Randi Rhodes from 6 to 8 p.m. and Geoff Charles from 8 to 10 p.m.

Rumor roundup (10/13/04)

A very slow week for stories and rumors. The only thing even closely resembling a rumor is in Providence, RI. This one involves WHJJ picking up only Al Franken's show for their vacant midday slot:

http://www.radio-info.com/mods/board?Post=272138&Board=providence

Other rumors have been pretty stagnant lately:

Washington, DC - Nothing going on yet. Speculation has been pointing to WWRC (1260).
Houston: 790 KBME is listed on Randi Rhodes' archive site as 'coming soon', and has been rumored. Nothing else has been updated since.