Evanov Radio Group’s Proud-FM 103.9 (CIRR-FM) is the latest Toronto station to introduce a syndicated American morning show, as part of a larger station refresh.
Proud FM, the country’s only LGBTQ+ commercial radio station, will air Elvis Duran and the Proud Morning Show from 6 – 10 a.m. ET, starting Oct. 5.
Originating from iHeartMedia’s Z100 (WHTZ-FM) in New York, the Premiere Networks-syndicated show airs on more than 70 Top 40 stations in the U.S. Proud FM is the show’s first Canadian affiliate.
Duran publicly came out as gay in 2010 and is known for his philanthropic efforts within the LGBT community, including organizations like GLAAD and The Trevor Project.
“When first learning of the opportunity to share our show with Toronto and the world’s Proud-FM fans, my heart skipped a beat,” said Duran, in a release. “My husband, Alex, and I have been listening to Proud-FM for quite some time and have always been moved by its energy and spirit. Our show is a perfect fit for this most festive station. We can’t wait!”
The new morning show is part of a larger station refresh with the “All new” Proud FM teased on-air and on station social media over the last few weeks.
Jaret Sereda, who has been a Marketing Manager with Evanov since 2012, is the station’s new dedicated Brand Manager. Sereda told Broadcast Dialogue that most recently, the station had just been running music and news in the morning time slot.
“It was time to revitalize the station, adding new announcers, updating the music with more of a target focus, plus exciting new features…including the ‘Behind The Velvet Rope’ feature every Thursday spilling the latest Real Housewives tea, and many more exciting features including a new segment called ‘Coming Out’, people discussing their experience of coming out to friends and family,” said Sereda.
Sereda himself will be hosting afternoon drive, starting Oct. 12, from 3 – 7 p.m. ET, while Tyler Carr also joins the station as the host of Weekend Pop Up Party with Tyler, Saturdays & Sundays from noon – 6 p.m. Carr is one of the morning show co-hosts at Evanov’s Energy 106 (CHWE-FM) Winnipeg.
Paul Evanov, President and CEO of Evanov Communications Inc., added that the company is excited about the evolution of Proud FM and confident that the new morning show will resonate with the station’s listeners.
“While the program’s entertainment value has universal appeal, Elvis Duran on Proud-FM will also sound uniquely Canadian with dedicated local news and surveillance that are up-to-the-minute and integral to Proud-FM mornings,” said Evanov.
Stingray-owned Flow 93.5 (CFXJ-FM) Toronto is also airing a syndicated morning show out of New York, The Breakfast Club, in its morning timeslot.
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