A familiar lineup is getting a significant refresh as Townsquare Media prepares to roll out a series of programming changes across its New Jersey radio brands beginning Monday, July 13.
The biggest move comes at New Jersey 101.5 (WKXW), where the legendary Dennis and Judi partnership returns with a revised schedule. The longtime duo will now be heard from 10 a.m. until noon, creating room for an expanded local lineup during the afternoon.
Taking over from noon to 3 p.m. will be veteran broadcasters Lou Russo and Michele Pilenza, who are making the move from mornings on 94.3 The Point (WJLK) and SoJo 104.9 (WSJO). Russo has been one of the Garden State’s most recognizable morning personalities for decades, while Pilenza brings more than twenty years of experience across Townsquare’s New Jersey stations in a variety of on-air and news roles.
Their move creates another major shift in the company’s programming strategy. Mornings on WJLK and WSJO will transition to a simulcast of 94.5 WPST’s “Chris and the Crew,” featuring Chris Rollins and Joe Hyer. Rollins has spent her broadcasting career with WPST and has been a fixture in the station’s morning lineup since the mid-1990s. Hyer joined the station in 2018, moved into mornings the following year, and now serves as the station’s Brand Manager after previously working in digital content and on-air roles within the company.
The changes also continue Townsquare’s strategy of sharing talent across multiple New Jersey stations. Matt Ryan will remain the afternoon voice on WPST, WJLK, and WSJO, while PopCrush Nights continues to air across the stations during evenings.
Company leadership says the new lineup is designed to strengthen its commitment to locally focused programming by putting experienced New Jersey personalities in front of listeners throughout the day while expanding opportunities to reach audiences across radio, digital platforms, podcasts, streaming, and live events.
The moves represent one of the most significant programming overhauls in the Garden State this year and reinforce Townsquare Media’s continued investment in its New Jersey brands.
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On The Dial covers breaking radio industry news, including layoffs, programming changes, talent moves, and broadcast trends across the United States.