Alt-rock back on NYC airwaves

New York City has an alternative rock station again.

Yes, WEMP 101.9-FM — after unceremoniously unplugging the beloved, but ratings-challenged WRXP last year to go to an all-news format — is back to pretty much the same alt-rock format today.

“It was a difficult decision to make, but after a year of minimal audience engagement, coupled with the format’s inherent expense, I felt it was time to make a change,” Merlin Media chief executive Randy Michaels told All Access Music Group in a statement. “I’d like to thank the people who poured their heart and soul into the effort and I wish them all the best.”

With a slogan of “Alternative is back,” and branding itself “New Rock,” they just played Social Distortion, Walk the Moon and Alex Clare (pictured above) in the past half-hour, so hopefully this format will stick around for awhile. But who can be sure? Someone call Matt Pinfield!