The new owner of Brockton’s WXBR-AM (1460) says changes are in store for the talk radio station, but he wants to keep its focus on the city of Brockton and add more local programming.
“We want this station to be focused on community issues,” said Jhonson Napoleon, president of Azure Media LLC of Miami Gardens, Fla., which recently purchased the station from a Connecticut-based firm for $250,000.
Napoleon said he is “actively looking” for space to build a new studio in Brockton while he continues to negotiate with the landlord at The Enterprise Building at 60 Main St., where the radio station is currently located.
Once a site is chosen and the new broadcasting facility is ready, Napoleon said, he plans to hold an open house and invite the community to check out WXBR’s digs and its new production gear, which he plans to bring in once he takes control of the station.
“The station is not up to my standards as far as equipment goes,” said Napoleon. “We have to update our equipment.”
Napoleon said WXBR will remain an English-speaking station, and he wants to add “more programs that focus on local happenings and issues.” WXBR will continue to broadcast Brockton High School football games, he said.
Napoleon said he hopes local merchants in Brockton will buy air time to promote their businesses, and that community leaders will want to get involved with the station.
Napoleon lives in Florida with his wife, Betsy, a doctor. He was recently commended by the Miami-Dade County School Board for founding Azure College, which, according to Miami-Dade officials, is the first Haitian-owned and accredited college in the country.
The Federal Communications Commission approved the transfer of WXBR’s license on May 18, and Azure Media LLC is now in the process of finalizing the sale and inspecting the property.
Meanwhile, WXBR’s local on-air personalities continue to produce their regularly scheduled shows in Brockton, following a two-week hiatus earlier this month.
Kevin Tocci, WXBR’s news director, returned on May 18 to host his weekday morning news show from 6 to 9 a.m., and continues to do so.
“We are back on the air and we are happy to be back on the air,” said Tocci. “People were calling, saying they were happy we were back. That’s really cool.”
He said he’s waiting to see what the future holds for his show.
“It’s anybody’s guess as to what will happen,” said Tocci. “You can only hope for the best.”