Hol up, @News92FM, Houston's only all-news radio station, has changed to B-92 All-Beyonce All the Time? Come on, is the April 1?
— Jerome Solomon (@JeromeSolomon) October 8, 2014
A news-radio station in Houston has given up reporting on current affairs to give the listeners what they really want: Beyoncé.
The Texan station News92FM stopped its regular broadcasting without warning yesterday, letting all of its employees go immediately after its rush-hour morning programme.
Station managers made the decision in light of significant financial losses over the last three years. The channel also dealt with poor ratings, despite Houston being the sixth largest radio market in the US.
"Unfortunately, the market hasn't shown a sustainable appetite for news radio," a News92FM statement read.
Now the station has completely rebranded as B921FM, and will be exclusively playing the music of Houston-native Beyoncé Knowles.
24 hours a day. With no adverts. Just Beyoncé – in as much as we dare to even type the word ‘just’ before Beyoncé.
It is unclear for now whether or not the station will remain dedicated entirely to the singer, or get a complete overhaul as an R&B station, but the fan reaction has been overwhelmingly positive:
beyonce radio all day eeryday' seems insignificant cause i already obvs have entire discography, and yet, damn good http://t.co/AJH5ikclmy
— Sruti I. (@weirdera) October 9, 2014
There is a radio station in Houston, that plays Beyonce songs 24/7....Are they hiring?! http://t.co/TWOCZY8klC
— John Robinson Ä«Ä«Ä« (@hellomrobinson) October 9, 2014
If this isn't the best thing since sliced bread, I don't know what is. @B921Houston plays Bey's music 24/7: http://t.co/Ra3XoiaoNR
— The beyHive (@TheBeyHiveTeam) October 8, 2014
It remains to be seen whether the new Beyoncé station will be a permanent move, but spokesperson Yashima Azilove has told fans to "stay tuned.”
"We want folks to tune in," Ms Azilove said, "She's Queen Bee. In looking to make a transition, we go back to what we know."
News92Fm laid off 47 members of staff to make way for the changes.
Rumours that Newstalk is about to become a Michelle Williams tribute station could not be verified at this time.
