After Beasley Media Group’s success in rolling out Podcast Radio to its first markets in the US, Alpha Media is bringing the podcast-centric format to Missouri. It will first arrive at KREI-AM in Farmington on May 27 and then at KWIX-AM/FM in Moberly on June 17.
KREI and KWIX made headlines after Alpha laid off the entire staff of both news/talk stations earlier this month.
Podcast Radio, established in the UK in 2020, uses traditional radio to help listeners discover podcast series and hosts both locally and from around the globe. The format includes live “Podjocks” who provide transitions, interviews, and commentary, akin to music radio.
Gene “Bean” Baxter, who has become a format voice, will also lead behind the scenes interviews with hosts, exploring the methods and personalities behind both local and national podcasts.
The new format will feature prominently across various dayparts, serving as the morning show in both markets and offering a fresh start to the day. AdLarge Media will handle network advertising sales for Podcast Radio across the new Missouri stations.
Alpha Media Executive Vice President of Content Phil Becker added, “We’re excited to partner with Podcast Radio to bring this innovative format to our listeners in Missouri. This partnership underscores our commitment to delivering fresh, engaging content that resonates with our communities. While we are launching on one station in two Missouri markets, our goal is to expand the format to our other two Missouri markets.”
Podcast Radio CEO Gerry Edwards commented, “We are thrilled to be partnering with Alpha. The team has been great to work with in the build-up to launch, and we cannot wait to hear more Missouri-based podcasters on these stations.”
Krantz Media Group CEO Gary Krantz added, “We are excited to expand Podcast Radio’s presence into Missouri with Alpha Media. Together, we’re creating a new gateway for listeners to discover and enjoy the best in podcast content through the familiar and trusted medium of radio.”
C, please share what station that is. Thanks.
The listeners to KWIX (and KRES for that matter) were happy with the programming that existed before May 8. Both stations served an important function; providing news, information, weather, and detailed school reporting for a large area of North Central Missouri. Will the new format let us know how local Scholar Bowl teams are doing? I don’t think so.
It’s also insulting to make the presumption that the listeners of KWIX were not familiar with podcasts. Just because people weren’t looking for podcasts to listen to doesn’t mean they were unaware.
Podcasts will not replace the sense of community the original format provided. I only wish Alpha Media had actually talked to people from the entire listening area before making those devastating changes.
I hope they get NO sales ads and no listeners! HORRIBLE for the company to do their listening audience and better yet their employees this way! Thankfully there is another, smaller station that will help the community in the need for LOCAL radio!