B96 format change proves a fake-out

Change you can believe in? Not quite. This week, listeners of Twin Cities hip-hop station B96 (KTTB 96.3 FM) heeded a pre-recorded message soliciting suggestions for "the type of station you would like to hear on 96.3FM." The spot encouraged listeners to tune in at 3 p.m. on Aug 25 for a "big announcement."  The station had been without any live DJs since the suspension of longtime host Tone E. Fly on Aug. 13. According to the Pioneer Press, Sam Elliot, director of programming and operations at the station, explained that Fly "kept talking about things they were told not to talk about" during his morning slot. Indeed, Fly had been requesting a stronger signal on-air, goading his bosses on their decision to decrease the station's power.

B96 was bought by Northern Lights Broacasting in 2007 and is owned by the family of Carl Pohlad, longtime owner of the Minnesota Twins. On Aug. 20, the station began transmitting from New Hope at a lower power—down from 100,000 to 19,000 watts—concentrating on the metro area and ceasing coverage in Mankato and St. Cloud in the process. Questions appeared during the past week on broadcasting message board RedAndNater.com about the future of the station, debating the importance of "rhythmic" stations in the upper Midwest. Some believed Tone E. Fly's departure was a hoax to gain attention; others wondered if Twins baseball coverage was about to get a new FM signal.

At 3 p.m Aug. 25, after an hour of bizarre, genre-jumping canned radio featuring artists like Toby Keith, Kings of Leon, and Pink Floyd, the station aired another pre-recorded announcement saying: "…a bunch of suits told us our station wasn't good enough…all the stuffy suits have been fired…Goodbye to our old signal in Glencoe…Welcome to a new era of B96." Following format regulars LMFAO and Sean Paul, host Zannie K. announced live that there would be no change other than an improved local signal. According to Strib gossip columnist C.J., the Tone E. Fly show will resume with its usual crew—plus an explanation from Elliot—at 9 a.m. on Wednesday morning, Aug. 26.