The All-Star Takeover: WOVU’s Bold Turnaround Under New Leadership
When Joy Johnson, Executive Director of Burten Bell Carr Development Inc., brought in Darvio Morrow and his First Class Broadcasting (FCB) team to help manage WOVU 95.9 FM, not everyone celebrated. The decision to restructure programming and leadership drew its fair share of skepticism. But now, just a few months later, the results are impossible to ignore.
In just the first 60 days under FCB, WOVU’s Instagram performance skyrocketed from 6,018 views to 124,297 views — a staggering 1,965% increase.
This isn’t just a number; it’s a reflection of smart strategy, fresh talent, and an audience hungry for high-quality content.
Audience Engagement is Up Across the Board
Streaming numbers jumped from 15,028 to 47,364 and listener minutes increased from 271,553 to 419,535 — proving that listeners aren’t just checking in, they’re staying longer.
Building the All-Star Lineup
FCB’s “All-Star Lineup” delivers exactly what it promised: dynamic, culture-rich programming powered by Cleveland legends and national voices. It builds on historic successes — including the acclaimed Eric Nolan Show — while charging forward with renewed energy.
The New Powerhouse:
Don “Action” Jackson (Classic Jamz) — A soulful legend from Majic 105.7 revives the golden era.
Greg Mack (The Rewind Mix) — Veteran radio voice reconnects listeners with timeless hits.
Krayzie Bone (The Kray List) — A Grammy-winner from Bone Thugs-N-Harmony brings national attention.
Dave Tolliver & DJ Cochise (Party and Bullish) — A duo of R&B and DJ royalty serving weekend fire.
DJ Kosher Kuts (Everything Is Kosher) — The Cavs' in-house DJ brings the arena vibe to the airwaves.
Ray Jr (The Reset) — R&B radio reimagined for millennials, curated by a hip-hop star and filmmaker with real cultural cachet.
DJ Justin Velez — Electrifying mixes that command attention and movement.
King’s Church — Spiritual connection with one of Cleveland’s fastest-growing congregations.
The Outlaws Radio Show — Syndicated civic engagement with an unapologetic edge.
DJ KNYCE (Last of a Dying Breed) — Former Z107.9 powerhouse with on air dominance.
Ronny Knight (Morning Show) — Legendary voice leading the day with inspiration and legacy.
A Win for Leadership and Legacy
Joy Johnson’s move wasn’t just a staffing change — it was a business decision to reinvent how WOVU connects with its community and competes in today’s media landscape. The numbers prove she was right.
What was once viewed as a risk has now become a shining example of visionary leadership. The station is thriving, the community is tuning in, and Cleveland radio has officially been put on notice.
Listen to WOVU on iHeartRadio's app: https://www.iheart.com/live/959-wovu-10711/
WOVU is back. Stronger. Sharper. And undeniably All-Star.