Phoenix Radio Scene Gets a Major Reshuffle! The familiar sounds of Rhythmic AC "Mega 104.3" have officially made a big move, relocating to the 99.3 frequency earlier today. But that's not all – get ready for a brand new sonic experience in the Valley of the Sun! Sierra H Broadcasting has just unveiled Soft AC "Sunny 104.3" KAJM (broadcasting from Camp Verde to the Phoenix area), and it's aiming to be your new go-to for a more peaceful workday.
Promising "Relaxing Favorites For A Better Workday," Sunny 104.3 is kicking things off with an impressive 10,000 songs, completely commercial-free! This new contender is directly challenging iHeartMedia's reigning AC champion, 99.9 KEZ. The playlist reads like a who's who of beloved artists, featuring powerhouses like Adele, Celine Dion, Michael Bolton, Bruno Mars, Whitney Houston, Phil Collins, Ed Sheeran, Elton John, Chicago, and Air Supply. It's a lineup designed to evoke nostalgia and provide a soothing backdrop to your daily grind.
The fresh brand made its debut at 3 pm today, serenading listeners with iconic tracks such as Berlin's "Take My Breath Away," Savage Garden's "Truly Madly Deeply," and the timeless duet "Islands In The Stream" by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton.
"It’s a Sunny day, and we’re proud to introduce a new destination for at-work listening and Relaxing Favorites for the Valley of the Sun," shared Eric Rosado, Content Director. "Sunny 104.3 fills a void in the market with familiar hits spanning four decades. We’re bringing them back with a recipe unique to Sunny 104.3 — a Soft Adult Contemporary station with a fun and feel-good presentation that we expect the market to embrace." He believes this format offers a unique blend of familiar hits presented in a way that will resonate with listeners.
Ken Brentlinger, Owner of Sierra H Multimedia, expressed his enthusiasm: "It’s an exciting day for Sierra H Multimedia as we grow the company to three total stations while adding a proven format that we know listeners and advertisers will both enjoy being a part of." This expansion marks a significant growth for the company, bringing their station count to three.
But here's where it gets interesting... While the promise of "commercial-free" music is a huge draw, it's a strategy that stations often use to quickly build an audience. How long do you think this commercial-free period will last before advertisers start making their presence felt? And for fans of the previous Rhythmic AC format, do you feel like your musical tastes are being overlooked in this shift? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below – we'd love to hear your take on this new chapter in Phoenix radio!
