With the FCC database indicating a pending callsign change to WBEV-FM, WXRO/95.3 (Beaver Dam) has confirmed that it will change formats on Aug. 1.
The Good Karma Brands station will drop its three-year-old “95X” Hot Adult Contemporary format and become the new home of the Full Service Talk/Oldies format that currently airs on WBEV/1430.
After a two-week simulcast period, the AM station will switch to ESPN Radio. Good Karma also runs ESPN stations in Milwaukee, Madison, Chicago, and several other large markets. The station’s announcement says WBEV plans to run some ESPN Wisconsin shows in addition to national programming.
The AM station will air the Beaver Dam Golden Beavers, while the FM side will be home to the Packers, Brewers, Bucks, and Wisconsin Badgers football and basketball.
A discussion of the change on WBEV Wednesday morning indicated that at least one personality will not be making the move to FM:
95.3 is a 6kW facility serving an area northeast of Madison and northwest of Milwaukee. WBEV uses 1kW non-directional daytime and 1kW directional nighttime and does not have an FM translator.