Radio One Deals Detroit’s WCHB To Crawford Broadcasting.

Story by Inside Radio

Radio One has cut a $2 million deal to sell Detroit AM talker WCHB (1200) to Crawford Broadcasting. The station’s renowned local host Mildred Gaddis, a 40-year radio vet currently heard from 10am-1pm, will move to gospel sister “Praise 102.7” WPZR and contribute morning drive news cut-ins on urban AC cluster mate “105.9 Kiss FM” WDMK.

While the sale marks the end of Radio One’s eight-year run with the talk format in the Motor City, the company continues to operate three FMs apportioned across its tent pole formats: urban, urban AC and gospel.

In addition to owning WPZR and WDMK, Radio One operates urban “Hot 107.5” WGPR under a local marketing agreement. Radio One says it expects to close the sale within the next 90 days.

The acquisition adds a fourth station to Crawford’s Detroit cluster, joining religious “The Light” WMUZ (103.5), gospel “Glory 1340” WEXL and religious “The Word AM 560” WRDT.

Gaddis, known for her coverage and commentary on politics, the economy, education, civil rights and well being, will be heard 10am-noon on WPZR. To make room for her, WPZR will shorten current 10am-3pm host Randi Myles’ shift to noon-3pm.

Gaddis will also bring her personality approach to the news through “Mason and Coco in the Morning” on WDMK.

The rest of WCHB’s current personality lineup is syndicated. Radio One says morning man Tom Joyner will continue to be heard in Detroit on the Hamtramck, MI- licensed translator W260CB at 99.9. WCHB airs the Rev. Al Sharpton from 1pm-4pm, followed by an encore from Gaddis from 4-7pm. The station broadcasts traditional jazz from 7pm-10pm and smooth jazz from 10pm-6am.

“To get what you’ve never had, you have to do what you’ve never done,” VP/GM Kathy Stinehour said in a news release. “We have sold our AM talk radio facility and are proud of the heritage role the station has held in Detroit. We view this as an opportunity to move the WCHB voice to a larger FM platform and intend to super-serve our listeners with urban music, community engagement and inspiration—what we do best.”