Mike Joseph Successfully Re-invented Radio for Over Three Decades Mike Joseph was a renowned radio consultant best known for creating the "Hot Hits"
Mike Joseph Successfully Re-invented Radio for Over Three Decades
Mike Joseph was a renowned radio consultant best known for creating the “Hot Hits” format. In the early 1980s, he was hired by WJR-FM in Detroit, which was rebranded as WHYT-FM 96.3. Joseph’s “Hot Hits” format focused on playing only the current hits, with a tight playlist of around 30 songs, ensuring listeners heard the latest hits frequently, an application he created and utilized for stations he consulted, since in the early-1960s.
Known as the nation’s first independent radio programming consultant, he helped transform WABC into a top AM station, recruiting iconic DJs like Dan Ingram and Bruce Morrow. In 1977, he revolutionized the radio industry with his “Hot Hits” format, which he used to revamp stations across major cities, including WTIC in Hartford, WFBL in Syracuse, WCAU in Philadelphia, WBBM in Chicago, WHYT in Detroit, and KITS in San Francisco.
Before his work at WABC, Joseph’s early successes included pioneering Top 40 formats in Flint, Grand Rapids, Rockford, and other cities. He also served as vice president of NBC Radio in the early ’60s: WNBC, New York (50,000 watts); WMAQ, Chicago (50,000 watts); KNBR, San Francisco (50,000 watts); WRC, Washington D. C. (5,000 watts); WRC, Washington D. C. (5,000 watts); WJAS, Pittsburgh (5,000 watts).
At the time, it was believed that four of the six stations could stand on their own financially without being carried by mother flagship network NBC.
According to Billboard (issued December 28, 1963) ” . . . industry observers attribute the sorrowful rating picture of the NBC-owned radio stations mainly due to the fact that they are satellites for the financially successful NBC radio network. The family stations must carry all of the network’s programming, including the full load of “Monitor” Saturdays and Sundays no matter the effect on rating.” The Billboard article elaborated on Joseph’s hiring even further, “At this juncture Joseph’s duties have not been spelled out. No matter what his duties, he will have his work cut out for him.”
Prior to Joseph being hired by NBC, Joseph doctored Dearborn’s WKNR (formerly WKMH) — where he instituted an up-to-the-minute pop music and news format. Prior to the WKNR assignment, he “modernized” WGR, Buffalo, New York, with a similar format. He also served as program director at WJEF, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and national program director for the Founders’ stations; WTAC, Flint, Michigan; WSBL, Syracuse, New York; WSMD. New Orleans, and KPOA, Honolulu.
Under his guidance, WHYT-FM became a successful Top 40 powerhouse in Detroit, appealing to younger listeners with its fresh and energetic approach. Joseph’s innovative format played a significant role in revitalizing the Top 40 radio format and influenced many other stations across the country.
WHYT-FM, known as “Power 96,” was on the FM dial in Detroit from 1982 to 1997. During this time, it became a highly popular Top 40 station under the guidance of Mike Joseph’s “Hot Hits” format. After 1997, the station changed its call sign to WPLT and later became WDVD, which continues to broadcast today.
Born in Youngstown, Ohio, to Syrian/Lebanese immigrants, Joseph studied pre-law at Western Reserve University. He was married to Eva, an East Berlin immigrant, and their Westport, CT. home was filled with thousands of records spanning genres from rock and jazz to classical and Arabic music.
Mike Joseph passed away at the age of 90, in Los Angeles, in May 2018. Mike Joseph’s contributions left an indelible mark on the radio industry, and his innovative ideas continue to be felt today.
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