Broward County turns off WIOD

Metro Area, has decided to discontinue its relationship with 610 WIOD-AM. Previously, WIOD would interrupt regularly scheduled programming to carry Broward County EOC Press Conferences. Broward County Emergency Directors became concerned that their press conferences were being pre-empted for coverage of similar conferences in Miami after the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons.

Broward County Commissioner Stacy Ritter, a Democrat, expressed concern with supporting a station that is ‘out of step with area politics’, noting that the station carries conservative talk shows such as The Rush Limbaugh Show and The Sean Hannity Show, as well as carrying FOX News’ radio bulletins.

Earlier today, WIOD Program Director Ken Charles appeared on The Schnitt Show, which is syndicated on XM, WIOD, and various other stations throughout the southeast. On the program, Mr. Charles stated that two other AM radio stations in the area had offered to take the job, but that a county official declined, stating that the strength of WIOD’s signal was preferable, noting that it reaches as far south as the Florida Keys.

As a listener to a sister station in a similar market, I must say that this is simply outrageous. The news operation of WFLA-AM in Tampa (which I’m told is very similar to that of WIOD) preempts all regular programming, including the programs cited by Commissioner Ritter, when tropical storms and hurricanes affect the area. The news operation is completely separate from programming content. I hope that Broward County will reverse their decision and allow their partnership with WIOD to continue.