BREAKING: Radio One pulls all-news format from Houston FM.

Story by Inside Radio

Nearly three years after launching Houston’s first FM all-news radio station, Radio One has pulled the plug on “News92” KROI. The station aired its last broadcast today and is now stunting as all Beyoncé “B-92.” Radio One cites “sustained poor ratings performance and significant financial losses over the past three years” in making the decision. "News92" KROI had a 0.9 share (6+) in Nielsen’s September survey.

Inspired by the success of Hubbard Broadcasting’s all-news giant WTOP (103.5) in Radio One’s corporate backyard of Washington, DC, “News92” KROI launched in November 2011.

Dropping the gospel format that aired on the 92.1 frequency helped urban AC sister “Majic 102” KMJQ. But the all-news format never gained ratings traction, despite an ambitious effort and a multi-year commitment to the high-overhead format.

“Unfortunately, the market hasn’t shown a sustainable appetite for news radio, but each of you motivated us daily to produce a high-quality news program,”

Radio One says in a posting on KROI’s website. “Together, we made history.”