New Orleans radio stations realigns daily line up, makes scheduling

New Orleans CityBusiness, Jan 28, 2008 by Stephen Maloney

New Orleans station 99.5 FM is realigning its daily line up as scheduling changes take effect.

Jim Brown has been off the air since Wednesday, according to the station's Web site. The site lists Brown as a host but no longer lists the Rob Couhig and Bo Walker show.

Regional Vice President Dick Lewis said no shows have been canceled yet but said the station is going through a metamorphosis as decisions are made about what shows will remain on the air.

"We are making some changes in the lineup, so things are in a great state of flux at the moment," Lewis said. "It (the schedule) will be changing, it will be in a state of flux for the next few weeks. Part of that is to give trial and exposure to other shows and other day parts. Part of it is due to contractual relationships and what we can and can't do at the moment."

An advertisement on the "job opportunities" section of the site lists an opening for an on-air personality to fill the morning time slot, which is now home to reruns of the syndicated Sean Hannity show.

Brown could not be reached for a comment.

Brown said in a note he posted on Jan. 23 that he has been on the air every day since November 2006 and is taking a well deserved break.

"Now I'm not going anywhere. Just taking a pause in putting on my show. Please tolerate my enjoying the Mardi Gras holidays and a few weeks thereafter," Brown said in the update. "...I'll be back on the air here soon at a new time slot that will be announced in the weeks to come."

Lewis said he could not comment on any potential changes as they have yet to be finalized.