stunting (broadcasting)

{{Short description|Type of publicity stunt in radio broadcasting}}

Stunting is a type of publicity stunt in radio broadcasting, where a station—abruptly and often without advance announcement—begins to air content that is seemingly uncharacteristic compared to what is normally played.

Stunting is typically used to generate publicity and audience attention for upcoming changes to a station's programming, such as new branding, format, or as a soft launch for a newly-established station. Occasionally, a stunt may be purely intended as publicity or a protest, and not actually result in a major programming change. Stunts often involve a loop of a single song, or an interim format (such as the discography of a specific artist, Christmas music, or a novel theme that would not be viable as a permanent format), which may sometimes include hints towards the station's new format or branding.

To a lesser extent, stunting has also been seen on television, most commonly in conjunction with April Fools' Day, or to emphasize a major programming event being held by a channel.

Types of radio stunting and noted examples

=Continuous loop=

A station may stunt by repeating the same song, playlist, or other content on a continuous loop:{{Cite web|url=https://www.musictimes.com/articles/22635/20150101/radio-stunting-music-stations-repeat-one-song-day-performers-led-zeppelin-stairway-heaven.htm|title=Radio Stunting: Music Stations Repeat One Song All Day, from Performers Such as Led Zeppelin, R.E.M., Kid Rock and More|date=2015-01-01|website=Music Times|language=en|access-date=2020-04-03}}

The song(s) in question are commonly a clue towards the incoming format or branding, such as was the case in March 2014 when San Francisco Regional Mexican station KVVF/KVVZ stunted with a loop of "Hot in Herre" by Nelly for three days. This led into the stations' relaunch as rhythmic contemporary Hot 105.7. The stunt notably attracted mainstream media attention, with the hashtag "#nelly1057" being used to discuss the event on Twitter.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/why-is-a-radio-station-playing-hot-in-herre-on-an-endless-loop-20140315|title=Why Is a Radio Station Playing 'Hot in Herre' on an Endless Loop?|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=2018-03-22}}{{Cite news|url=http://blog.sfgate.com/stew/2014/03/15/latino-radio-station-wont-stop-playing-nellys-hot-in-herre/|title=Bay Area Latino radio station 105.7 won't stop playing Nelly's 'Hot in Herre'|date=2014-03-15|work=SFGate Blog|access-date=2018-03-22|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=https://radioinsight.com/blogs/88034/how-nelly1057-became-a-viral-sensation/|title=How #Nelly1057 Became A Viral Sensation|date=2014-03-16|work=RadioInsight|access-date=2018-03-22|language=en-US}}
In late June 2022, CKKS-FM in Greater Vancouver similarly faced mainstream media attention when it played a loop of "Killing in the Name" by Rage Against the Machine as part of its transition from hot adult contemporary Kiss to modern rock Sonic. The loop included kayfabe segments of DJs discussing their repeated playing of the song, and "callers" either requesting "Killing in the Name", or being denied a request for a different song—which led to a false impression that its employees had commandeered the station to protest staffing changes associated with the format change.{{cite web |last=Lindeman |first=Tracey |date=June 29, 2022 |title=Mystery as Canadian radio station plays Rage Against the Machine song nonstop |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/29/canadian-radio-station-rage-against-the-machine-song-nonstop |access-date=June 30, 2022 |work=The Guardian}}{{cite magazine |last=Mier |first=Tomás |date=June 29, 2022 |title=After DJ Layoffs, a Radio Station Has Been Playing Rage Against the Machine Over and Over and Over |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/vancouver-kiss-fm-rage-against-the-machine-protest-layoffs-1376288/ |access-date=June 30, 2022 |magazine=Rolling Stone}}{{Cite news |last=Chan |first=Cheryl |date=June 29, 2022 |title=Vancouver's KiSS FM has been playing Rage Against the Machine on repeat. Why? |language=en-CA |work=Vancouver Sun |url=https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/vancouvers-kiss-rage-against-machine-repeat-loop |access-date=June 29, 2022}}{{cite web |last=Thiessen |first=Connie |date=June 30, 2022 |title=Rogers expands SONiC RADiO to Vancouver and the Fraser Valley |url=https://broadcastdialogue.com/rogers-expands-sonic-radio-to-vancouver-and-the-fraser-valley/ |access-date=June 30, 2022 |work=Broadcast Dialogue}}{{cite web |last=Ross |first=Sean |date=July 5, 2022 |title=The Greatest Radio Stunt Ever |url=https://radioinsight.com/blogs/230775/the-greatest-radio-stunt-ever/ |access-date=July 5, 2022 |work=RadioInsight}}
Often the song chosen for the loop does not pertain to either the old or new format:
In one of the oldest radio stunts recorded, WNOE-AM/New Orleans played "Shtiggy Boom" by The Nuggets nonstop for 58 hours and 45 minutes before the launch of its Top 40 format in early 1955.{{cite book|title=Billboard|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|issn=0006-2510|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QxkEAAAAMBAJ|page=44|access-date=2014-12-10|date=1955-02-26}}
In 1961, XEAK San Diego/Tijuana played "Mope-itty Mope" by The Bosstones for 72 hours straight before launching one of the first all-news formats in North American radio.{{cite web |url=http://www.asktog.com/lighterside/worstsong.html |title=The Bizarre Demise of Mighty 690 |first=Bruce |last=Tognazzini |work=AskTog.com}}
In 1962, WPOP Hartford disc jockey Joey Reynolds famously locked himself into a studio and played a then-unknown record named "Sherry" on repeat for several hours, a stunt that launched the career of the band that recorded it, The Four Seasons.[https://web.archive.org/web/20120407120343/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/05/nyregion/thecity/05zeli.html Zelig of the Night]. The New York Times. Retrieved March 7, 2024.{{Cite web |last= |date=2002-11-10 |title=JOEY ALL NIGHT |url=https://www.courant.com/2002/11/10/joey-all-night/ |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=Hartford Courant |language=en-US}}
Bob Fass was known for repeatedly looping songs throughout his overnight show Radio Unnameable, most famously with Arlo Guthrie's "Alice's Restaurant" in 1965 and 1966. Fass's use of such stunts was a perverse form of pledge drive, often threatening to keep playing the songs over and over again until flagship station WBAI received a certain threshold of donations.{{cite web |last=Kalish |first=Jon |date=December 1, 2020 |title=For the real-life Alice of 'Alice's Restaurant,' a new reason to be thankful |url=https://forward.com/culture/459378/for-the-real-life-alice-of-alices-restaurant-a-new-reason-to-be-thankful/ |access-date=March 29, 2021 |work=The Forward}}Fisher, Marc. [https://books.google.com/books?id=wxSnv8ZQFBUC&pg=PA136 Something in the Air: Radio, Rock, and the Revolution That Shaped a Generation]. Page 136.
Several stations, including WMGV/Winneconne and WXMP/Peoria, have stunted with various versions of "Louie Louie" by Richard Berry.{{Cite news |date=1994-05-03 |title=You can relax: Louie is gone |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/55611905/the-post-crescent/ |access-date=2020-07-18 |work=The Post-Crescent |pages=11}}{{cite news |last=Greene |first=Bob |author-link=Bob Greene |date=March 18, 1997 |title=Too Much Of A Good Thing? Not When It's 'Louie' |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1997-03-18-9703180009-story.html |access-date=August 1, 2019 |newspaper=The Chicago Tribune}} In 1983, as part of an escalating rivalry involving the song between DJs at Foothill College's KFJC and University of California, Berkeley's KALX, KFJC conducted a 63 hour stunt event featuring around 800 different "Louie Louie" covers.{{cite web |title=The Return Of The Return Of The Invasion Of Maximum Louie Louie |url=https://kfjc.org/listen/program-event-info?eventId=4107 |access-date=May 13, 2013 |website=KFJC.org}}{{Cite web |title=The Full and Unabridged History of KALX – KALX 90.7FM Berkeley |url=https://www.kalx.berkeley.edu/about/full-and-unabridged-history-kalx/ |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=www.kalx.berkeley.edu}}{{Cite web |last=staff |first=Seattle Times |date=2007-04-01 |title=“Louie Louie” through the ages |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/louie-louie-through-the-ages/ |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}}
In July 2013, the new Toronto radio station CIND-FM stunted with a loop of "Never Gonna Give You Up" by Rick Astley in a reference to the Rickroll meme, prior to its official launch as adult album alternative Indie 88.{{cite news|title=Indie88, Toronto's newest radio station, puts the listener in charge|url=http://arts.nationalpost.com/2013/07/31/indie88-torontos-newest-radio-station-puts-the-listener-in-charge/|access-date=August 1, 2013|newspaper=National Post|date=July 31, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130801090307/http://arts.nationalpost.com/2013/07/31/indie88-torontos-newest-radio-station-puts-the-listener-in-charge/|archive-date=August 1, 2013|url-status=dead}}
Linder Radio Group is known for routinely using "Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport" by Rolf Harris as a filler stunt when changing a format on one of its stations.{{cite web|last=Venta|first=Lance|date=October 8, 2020|title=KFOW ties its train down, sport|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/199231/kfow-ties-its-train-down-sport/|access-date=October 8, 2020|work=Radio Insight}}
For four days before the July 8, 2012, relaunch of KOKE-FM/Austin — a station which popularized progressive country in the early 1970s, a live recording of Dale Watson's "Country My Ass" played in a continuous loop. This example of stunting is notable for the station-specific nature of the song's lyrics; Watson re-recorded the song for the occasion, adding a new coda in which he sings, "Now Austin's on track, 'cause KOKE-FM's back."{{Cite news|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/58752/koke-fm-returning-to-austin/|title=KOKE-FM Returning To Austin|date=2012-07-04|work=RadioInsight|access-date=2018-06-11|language=en-US}}
In May 1990, the staff of Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio station Triple J staged an industrial action, after its news director was suspended for playing a clip of the N.W.A. song "Fuck tha Police" in a segment discussing its subject matter (despite the full song having been played by the station before without incident). During the action, Triple J played another N.W.A. song, "Express Yourself" (whose lyrics criticize censorship of rap music), 82 times in a row.
Triple J paid homage to the event during the April 30, 2014 relaunch of digital radio station ABC Dig Music as sister station Double J, which was preceded by a stunt loop of 13 different versions of "Express Yourself" (including the original recording, and covers of the song by Australian musicians).{{Cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/music/double-j-pays-homage-to-past-with-express-yourself-stunt-20140429-37emb.html|title=Double J pays homage to past with Express Yourself stunt|last=Vincent|first=Peter|date=2014-04-28|website=The Age|language=en|access-date=2018-03-22}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/express-yourself-the-day-triple-j-played-the-same-nwa-song-82-times-in-a-row-20150902-gjdk0d.html|title=Express yourself: The day Triple J played the same N.W.A. song 82 times in a row|last=Casimir|first=Paul Chamberlin and Jon|date=2015-09-02|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en|access-date=2018-03-22}}
WJMP/Kent, OH, in a protest over the Major League Baseball players' strike, continuously played two versions of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" sunrise-to-sunset (the station operated only during daytime hours), for two months (and 57,161 total plays) from August to October 1994. The stunt merited WJMP an entry in the Guinness Book of Sports Records.{{cite journal |title=Here's one for the books |url=http://www.jhu.edu/~gazette/aprjun95/jun2695/26briefs.html |journal=Johns Hopkins Gazette |volume=24 |number=38 |date=June 26, 1995}}
After its April 2012 sale by Family Radio to Merlin Media, WKDN/Philadelphia stunted with a loop of "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" by R.E.M., in an apparent reference to the failed predictions by Family Radio owner Harold Camping that the Rapture would take place on May 21, 2011.{{cite web |title=May 21, 2011: Judgment Day believers descend on Joburg |url=http://www.thedailymaverick.co.za/article/2010-08-16-may-21-2011-judgment-day-believers-descend-on-joburg |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100918101527/http://www.thedailymaverick.co.za/article/2010-08-16-may-21-2011-judgment-day-believers-descend-on-joburg |archive-date=September 18, 2010 |access-date=November 29, 2010 |work=The Daily Maverick |df=mdy-all}}{{cite web |date=May 11, 2011 |title=A Conversation With Harold Camping, Prophesier of Judgment Day |url=http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2011/05/a_conversation_with_harold_cam.html |access-date=May 22, 2011 |work=New York Magazine Website}}{{Cite web |date=2012-05-01 |title=WKDN Gives Way To Hannity 106.9; IQ Coming |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/56952/wkdn-gives-way-to-hannity-106-9/ |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=RadioInsight |language=en-US}} The stunt later shifted to nonstop airings of The Sean Hannity Show as Hannity @ 106.9 (with reruns of previous episodes aired when the show wasn't live), before launching a news/conservative talk format as iQ 106.9.{{Cite web |last=Fiorillo |first=Victor |date=2012-04-30 |title=Tea Party-Friendly Radio Arrives in Philly with WWIQ |url=https://www.phillymag.com/the_philly_post/2012/04/30/randy-michaels-tea-party-friendly-radio-philly-wwiq/ |access-date=2024-12-26 |website=Philadelphia Magazine |language=en-US}}
Later that year, in honor of the alleged Mayan apocalypse, modern rock station CFEX-FM/Calgary stunted with a loop of "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" on December 21, 2012 with no change in format. The song was interspersed with "Apocalypse Survival Tips" and "Get to Know a Mayan" sketches.{{cite web|title=Calgary Radio Station X92.9 Plays 'It's The End Of The World' By R.E.M. All Day To Mark Mayan Calendar|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/12/21/calgary-radio-station-x92-_n_2347526.html|website=Huffington Post|date=21 December 2012 |access-date=14 July 2016}}
Prior to its August 26, 2019 launch of a sports talk format affiliated with Fox Sports Radio, WDAS/Philadelphia stunted with a loop of the NFL on Fox theme music over the preceding weekend. The change in format was announced in advance of the flip.{{Cite web|url=http://www.insideradio.com/free/philly-s-gambler-declares-itself-the-future-of-sports-talk/article_6a4b0b8e-c843-11e9-9441-d3bfee68e167.html|title=Philly’s ‘Gambler’ Declares Itself The ‘Future Of Sports Talk Radio.’|website=Insideradio.com|language=en|access-date=2019-12-31}}
In a non-music example, the launch of Black Information Network—a chain of iHeartMedia news radio stations targeting African Americans—featured its initial stations playing a loop of speeches by prominent African Americans, mixed with sweepers promoting the launch date, and containing the tagline "Our side of the story is about to be told."{{Cite web|title=iHeartMedia Launches Black Information Network|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/189803/fifteen-iheartmedia-stations-stunting-ahead-of-new-network-launch/|access-date=2021-02-11|website=RadioInsight|language=en-US}}{{cite news|date=June 29, 2020|title=Several iHeartMedia Stations Stunting With Speeches, New Format To Be Announced Tomorrow|work=All Access|url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/197805/several-iheartmedia-stations-stunting-with-speeche|access-date=June 30, 2020}}{{cite news|date=June 30, 2020|title=iHeartMedia Debuts All-News BIN: Black Information Network|language=en|work=All Access|url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/197821/iheartmedia-debuts-all-news-bin-black-information-|access-date=July 1, 2020}}
Prior to the September 30, 2021 launch of an adult hits format, AAA station KTHX-FM in Reno stunted with instrumental jazz music mixed with sweepers stating that the station was "on hold".{{Cite web|title=We 100.1 Debuts In Reno|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/213363/the-x-100-1-reno-heading-to-retirement/|access-date=2021-10-08|website=RadioInsight|language=en-US}}
On May 12, 2025, as part of a transition from country music to adult hits Big FM, CKHK-FM/Rockland and CHRC-FM/Hawkesbury both stunted with a loop of "Bye Bye Mon Cowboy" by Quebecois musician Mitsou; the stations' new owners also operate a French-language radio station in Cornwall, Ontario, but the new stations would continue to broadcast in English.{{cite web |date=2025-05-12 |title=Big Launch In Eastern Ontario |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/300296/big-launch-in-eastern-ontario/ |access-date=2025-05-12 |website=RadioInsight}}{{Cite web |last=Thiessen |first=Connie |date=2024-09-19 |title=GO FM to acquire two Evanov stations set for closure |url=https://broadcastdialogue.com/go-fm-to-acquire-two-evanov-stations-set-for-closure/ |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=Broadcast Dialogue |language=en-US}}

=Temporary formats=

Occasionally a station dropping an old format will stunt with a transitional format, either containing hints towards the new format (such as songs referencing its new branding, and artists who may be included in the eventual format), or having little to do with it. This can include songs based on specific themes (such as a single musician), or novelties that would not be viable as a permanent format. In some cases (sometimes referred to as a "wheel of formats"), a station may cycle between multiple formats during the stunt until the new, permanent format launches.{{cite news |date=January 4, 2016 |title=Wheel of Formats Kills Off Jack-FM San Diego |website=RadioInsight |publisher=RadioBB Networks |url=https://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/95651/wheel-of-formats-kills-off-jack-fm-san-diego/ |access-date=February 15, 2020}}{{Cite web |title=Goodbye Bieber, hello AC/DC! |url=https://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2015/dec/26/blurt-goodbye-bieber-hello-acdc/ |access-date=2021-02-09 |website=San Diego Reader |language=en}}

As part of its February 1996 transition from country music to rhythmic contemporary WKTU,{{cite news |last=Novia |first=Tony |date=February 16, 1996 |title=It's Dance For WKTU (Again) |work=R&R |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1996/R&R-1996-02-16.pdf |access-date=September 28, 2018}} New York City's WYNY carried simulcasts of programming from several of its Evergreen Media sister stations, including WRCX/Chicago (with morning host Mancow Muller informing his expanded audience that there would be "no more goat-ropin' music" on WYNY, making jokes directed towards competitors WHTZ and WXRK, and pulling a prank on the latter's morning host Howard Stern), KKBT/Los Angeles, WLUP/Chicago, KIOI/San Francisco, and WXKS/Boston.{{cite magazine |date=February 9, 1996 |title=More NY -L.A. Stories |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/1990s/1996/R&R-1996-02-09.pdf#page=14 |magazine=R&R |access-date=April 15, 2021}}{{cite magazine |date=February 17, 1996 |title=Jacor Climbs On The Buying Bandwagon; Mancow Takes WYNY Into Format Limbo |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Gw8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA96 |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc. |page=96 |access-date=April 19, 2023}}
In 2006, after its sale to new owners, KFYE in Kingsburg, California, dropped its contemporary Christian music programming for a stunt format it dubbed "Porn Radio", featuring songs with sexually-suggestive lyrics, and songs edited to include moaning sounds; on August 3, 2006, the station emerged as rhythmic adult contemporary Sexy 106.3.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chron.com/news/nation-world/article/Christian-music-station-switches-to-all-sex-1869029.php|title=Christian music station switches to 'all-sex' content|agency=Associated Press|date=2006-07-28|website=Houston Chronicle|access-date=2019-04-07}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/12185/pro-active-goes-porn-radio-on-kfye|title=Pro Active Goes Porn Radio On KFYE|website=All Access|language=en|access-date=2019-04-07}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/23179/some-sexy-fresno-fun|title=Some Sexy Fresno Fun|website=All Access|language=en|access-date=2019-04-07}} The station would hold a second publicity stunt in March 2007, promoting that the station would "say goodbye" on March 30; the ensuing announcement was a change in call letters to KSXE to match the Sexy moniker.{{Cite web |title=Some Sexy Fresno Fun |url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/23179/some-sexy-fresno-fun |access-date=2019-04-07 |website=All Access |language=en}}
WLYK in Cape Vincent, New York (serving Kingston, Ontario) pulled a similar stunt when it transitioned to new operators in February 2023, replacing its outgoing Kiss CHR format with "The Pole" (a pun of the name of one of the station's new owners, Jon Pole)—a variety format which played music that one would hear at a strip club.{{cite news |last1=Venta |first1=Lance |date=February 28, 2023 |title=WLYK Hits A Pole |work=RadioInsight |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/249253/wlyk-hits-a-pole/ |access-date=February 28, 2023}} The stunt notably attracted the attention of an actual strip club in Kingston.{{Cite web |date=2023-03-02 |title=There's a New Stripper Radio Station in Kingston, ON |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/kingston_on_has_a_new_stripper_radio_station |access-date=2023-03-23 |website=Exclaim!}} The station emerged as adult hits Lake FM on March 17, 2023.{{cite news |date=March 17, 2023 |title=WLYK Targets Kingston As "Lake-FM" |work=RadioInsight |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/249935/wlyk-targets-kingston-as-102-7-lake-fm/|access-date=March 17, 2023}}
In May 2009, WSKS in Utica, New York, announced that due to "financial constraints", its contemporary hit radio (CHR) format would be replaced by a beautiful music format similar to what was broadcast on sister station WUTQ. The ensuing programming included staged scenes of station employees protesting the changes. The "new format," however, lasted for only two hours before WSKS management came clean, restored the CHR format, and confirmed the stunt was a way to promote the station's new lineup.{{cite web |last=Dellecese |first=Dave |date=2009-05-18 |title=Just a publicity stunt - KISS FM remains on air despite weekend claims |url=http://www.wktv.com/news/local/45294832.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090521103548/http://www.wktv.com/news/local/45294832.html |archive-date=2009-05-21 |access-date=2009-05-18 |work=WKTV}}
As a publicity stunt for the program by local broadcaster Global, Toronto radio station CIRR-FM (which usually broadcasts a CHR format targeting the LGBT community) temporarily rebranded as Glee FM on April 12, 2010, adding music from the U.S. musical comedy-drama series Glee to its playlist.{{Cite web|last=Schneider|first=Michael|date=2010-04-13|title="Glee" comes to radio, via "Glee FM"|url=https://variety.com/2010/tv/news/glee-comes-to-radio-via-glee-fm-16219/|access-date=2020-05-20|website=Variety|language=en}} On August 16, 2010, British radio station Oxford's FM 107.9 held its own Glee FM stunt, leading into its August 18 relaunch as Glide FM.{{Cite web|date=2010-08-18|title=Glee FM becomes Glide FM|url=https://radiotoday.co.uk/2010/08/glee-fm-becomes-glide-fm/|access-date=2020-05-20|website=RadioToday|language=en-GB}}
Over Memorial Day weekend in 2010, WJZX-FM/Milwaukee, Wisconsin, stunted as Tiger 106.9, featuring songs about cheating (in reference to an infidelity scandal involving golfer Tiger Woods). The station was expected to change to a top 40 format with the new call letters WNQW—with the new calls suggesting that its branding would involve the name "Now". However, competing station WQBW abruptly moved to introduce the same format and branding as 97.3 Radio Now, preventing WJZX from using the name.{{Cite web|title=Smooth jazz, Brew and Radio Now recap|url=http://archive.jsonline.com/blogs/entertainment/95130799.html|access-date=2021-03-03|website=Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel}} The station continued airing temporary formats (such as patriotic music and The Beatles' discography in alphabetical order), before settling on a permanent format in June 2010, as classic country station WZBK-FM (the station eventually adopted a rhythmic top 40 format in September 2012 as Energy 106.9).{{Cite web|title=Saga Gives Milwaukee An Energy Boost|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/70384/saga-gives-milwaukee-an-energy-boost/|access-date=2022-01-12|website=RadioInsight|language=en-US}}{{cite news|last=Dudek|first=Duane|date=June 2, 2010|title=Ratings games spur radio identity crisis|work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|url=http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/tvradio/95380169.html}}
In 2011, WWWN/Chicago and WEMP/New York—which had recently been sold to Merlin Media—transitioned from alternative rock to all-news radio as FM News. As a transitional format, both stations aired a format branded as FM New, which featured adult contemporary music interspersed with news, traffic, and weather updates from personalities who would serve under the new FM News formats.{{cite web |url=http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/95030/wemp-new-york-wakes-up-with-news-friday |title=WEMP/New York Wakes Up With News Friday |work=All Access Music Group |date=August 12, 2011}}
Some stations have held temporary stunts focused on specific artists in honor of major concert tours making stops in their markets, with KSON in San Diego briefly rebranding as The All-New George-FM in January 2014 ahead of the January 31 date on George Strait's farewell tour The Cowboy Rides Away (promoting an increased amount of George Strait music, and on-air giveaways of merchandise and concert tickets), and San Francisco's KBAY announcing that it would temporarily rebrand as Tay Bay and play all-Taylor Swift music on July 28 and 29, 2023, in honor of The Eras Tour.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-19 |title=KBAY To Go All Taylor Swift This Weekend |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/255001/kbay-to-go-all-taylor-swift-this-weekend/ |access-date=2023-07-28 |website=RadioInsight |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |title=KSON Is Now 'George-FM' |language=en |work=All Access |url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/125478/kson-is-now-george-fm |access-date=2018-02-28}}{{Cite web |title=KBAY/KKDV (Bay Country 94.5/92.1)/San Jose To Transform Into 'Tay Bay' For Taylor Swift Shows |url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/229623/kbay-kkdv-bay-country-94-5-92-1-san-jose-to-transf |access-date=2023-07-28 |website=All Access |language=en}}
On October 8, 2014, KROI/Houston ended its all-news format and began stunting as B92, playing only music by Houston-native Beyoncé. The stunt led into its relaunch as classic hip-hop Boom 92.{{Cite web|last=Shetty|first=Sharan|date=2014-10-09|title=The Houston Radio Station Playing Only Beyoncé Isn't Quite As Crazy As It Sounds|url=https://slate.com/culture/2014/10/houston-radio-plays-only-beyonce-why-news-92-may-just-be-stunting.html|access-date=2020-04-03|website=Slate Magazine|language=en}}
KEGY/San Diego used an unbranded mainstream rock format as part of its transition from CHR to a new hot talk-oriented format in 2018. The stunt's playlist featured Pink Floyd's "Welcome to the Machine" at the top of each hour, which teased its eventual branding as The Machine.{{Cite news|date=2018-03-01|title=97.3 The Machine San Diego Debuts|language=en-US|work=RadioInsight|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/151719/97-3-machine-san-diego-launch-imminent/|access-date=2018-03-02}}{{Cite news|title=KEGY (Energy 97.3)/San Diego Turns Off The Top 40, Rocks Out In Prep For New Format|language=en|work=All Access|url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/174464/kegy-energy-97-3-san-diego-turns-off-the-top-40-ro|access-date=2018-03-02}}
Multiple stations in the United States and Canada have stunted with Chinese music under the branding "Kung Pao", such as KDOG (which led into a flip to classic hits), WVHT (which led into its re-launch as CHR Hot 100),{{Cite web|url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/7986/kdog-becomes-kung-pao-96-7-plays-the-chinese-class|title=KDOG Becomes Kung Pao 96.7, Plays The (Chinese) Classic Hits|website=All Access|language=en|access-date=2019-01-13}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/56999/believe-it-or-not-kung-pao-100-5-fm-was-a-stunt|title=Believe It Or Not ... 'Kung Pao 100.5 FM' Was A Stunt|website=All Access|language=en|access-date=2019-01-13}} and CIGM (which led into its re-launch as CHR Hot 93.5).{{Cite web|url=http://www.kungpaoradio935.com/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090827095230/http://www.kungpaoradio935.com/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2009-08-27|title=Sudbury, Ontario station CIGM stunted to Kung Pao|website=All Access|language=en|access-date=2020-10-19}}
In connection with President Donald Trump's presidency and the 2016, 2020, and 2024 presidential elections in the United States, multiple radio stations have stunted with songs directly related to both his presidency and campaigns under either both Donald and Trump brandings, such as WVWF (when it briefly stunted as Trump 105.1 and played songs that aimed directly to his campaign such as Pink Floyd's "Another Brick in the Wall"—in referenced to his border wall—in September 2016),{{Cite web|title=WVWF stunted as "Trump 105.1"|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/108252/wvwf-waverly-tn-stunting-as-trump-105-1/|access-date=2016-09-16|website=RadioInsight|language=en-US}} and Hartford conservative talk station WDRC (which temporarily rebranded as Trump 103.3 to promote its new FM translator W277DT, before returning to its normal "Talk of Connecticut" branding).{{Cite web|title=WDRC's new translator W277DT launches with "Trump" branding|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/176719/wdrc-rebrands-as-trump-103-3-with-translator-launch/|access-date=2019-05-10|website=RadioInsight|language=en-US}}{{cite news |last1=Krasselt |first1=Kaitlyn |date=May 13, 2019 |title='Trump 103.3' coming to CT as WDRC radio briefly rebrands |url=https://www.nhregister.com/local/article/Trump-103-3-coming-to-CT-as-WDRC-radio-13841909.php |accessdate=May 14, 2019 |work=New Haven Register}}
In July 2021, Denver CHR station KPTT briefly aired all-Britney Spears music as Free Britney Radio (in reference to the Britney Spears conservatorship dispute) before re-launching its format as Hits 95.7.{{Cite web|title=Hits 95.7 Debuts In Denver|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/210727/kptt-stunting-as-free-britney-radio/|access-date=2021-07-26|website=RadioInsight|language=en-US}}
On December 21, 2024, WQRR in Tuscaloosa, Alabama dropped its modern rock format and began stunting as Radio 101.7. The station initially played all-Taylor Swift music, and then all-Michael Jackson music, all while implying that the station was being hacked by Russia. The initial segment of the stunt would earn the station attention on social media, with users believing it was connected to the then-recent reports of unmanned drones flying across various cities in the United States. By December 23, the stunt format had been changed to 80s music, with Christmas-themed bumpers promoting a new format launching on December 24. At that time, the station relaunched as Christian adult contemporary 101.7 The River.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-23 |title=Alt 101.7 Tuscaloosa Stunt Update |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/290041/alt-101-7-tuscaloosa-hacked/ |access-date=2024-12-24 |website=RadioInsight |language=en-US}}

=Christmas music=

The popular practice of radio stations playing all-Christmas music during the lead-up to (and occasionally the week after) Christmas Day has sometimes been used by stations as a transition period between formats.{{cite news |title=Radio station takes down the tree |work=Saskatoon Star-Phoenix |url=http://www.canada.com/story.html?id=ea2e5bed-7be4-46b7-8614-1d47379b94c9 |url-status=dead |access-date=11 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320030155/http://www.canada.com/story.html?id=ea2e5bed-7be4-46b7-8614-1d47379b94c9 |archive-date=20 March 2016}} However, the ensuing format change can still occur before the end of the holiday season. Christmas music is sometimes used as a more blatant stunt format outside of the holiday season (in a similar spirit to ironic "Christmas in July" promotions).{{Cite news|url=http://www.insideradio.com/free/tis-the-season-for-format-flips/article_4aee3230-cc0a-11e6-a0dc-ef30940bdbd1.html|title='Tis the Season for Format Flips.|work=Insideradio.com|access-date=2018-05-09|language=en}}

On November 17, 2017, Seattle country station KMPS flipped to Christmas music in defense of its former competitor and now-sister station, KKWF, following the merger of CBS Radio with KKWF's owner Entercom. While ostensibly for the holiday season, KMPS abruptly ended the all-Christmas programming on December 4, 2017, and flipped to soft adult contemporary.{{Cite news |title=KMPS Christmas Flip Fuels Talk Of Post-Holiday Changes. |language=en |work=Insideradio.com |url=http://www.insideradio.com/free/kmps-christmas-flip-fuels-talk-of-post-holiday-changes/article_0d51bc3c-ce41-11e7-8dbc-339949101329.html |access-date=2018-05-09}}{{Cite news |title=Seattle radio's king of country goes soft rock |work=Seattle Post-Intelligencer |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/seattlenews/article/Seattle-radio-s-king-of-country-goes-soft-rock-12405420.php |access-date=2017-12-09}} The following year, Entercom's Detroit station WDZH performed a similar flip from an outgoing CHR format to soft AC, with its transition period having lasted only three days.{{Cite web |date=13 November 2018 |title=98.7 swaps pop hits for soft contemporary as The Breeze |url=https://www.crainsdetroit.com/media/987-swaps-pop-hits-soft-contemporary-breeze |access-date=2018-11-17 |website=Crain's Detroit Business |language=en}}
In April 2008, Saskatoon's new radio station CFWD-FM stunted with Christmas music as Santa FM prior to its official launch as CHR Wired 96.3. In December 2012, the station used Christmas music to transition from CHR to adult hits.{{cite news |title=New station jingles all the way |work=Saskatoon Star-Phoenix |publisher=Postmedia |url=http://www.canada.com/story.html?id=2b3f4df6-2c4d-452c-848b-69cfed580c53 |url-status=dead |access-date=11 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320024644/http://www.canada.com/story.html?id=2b3f4df6-2c4d-452c-848b-69cfed580c53 |archive-date=20 March 2016}}{{cite web |title=96.3 Cruzes in Saskatoon |url=https://radioinsight.com/blog/headlines/80206/96-3-cruzes-in-saskatoon/ |access-date=11 March 2016 |website=Radio Insight}}{{cite web |title=Saskatoon radio station lays off staff |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/saskatoon-radio-station-lays-off-staff-1.1193957 |access-date=11 March 2016 |website=CBC News}}
In April 2011, its Edmonton sister station CKEA-FM used a weekend of Christmas music to soft launch its new adult contemporary format Lite 95.7, promoting the new station's intent to play all-Christmas music during the holiday season.{{Cite web |date=2011-03-25 |title=95.7 The Sound Edmonton Gets Lite - RadioInsight |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/32603/95-7-the-sound-edmonton-gets-lite/ |access-date=2023-08-07 |language=en-US}}
Duluth's WEBC used Christmas music as a transitional format in September 2015 when flipping from sports talk to classic rock, with the station initially implying that the Christmas format was permanent.{{Cite news|url=http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/3855042-all-christmas-radio-moves-classic-rock|title=All-Christmas radio moves to classic rock|work=Duluth News-Tribune|access-date=2018-06-07|language=en}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/3851756-duluth-radio-station-switches-sports-christmas-music-%E2%80%94-now|title=Duluth radio station switches from sports to Christmas music...|work=Duluth News-Tribune|access-date=2018-06-07|language=en}}{{Cite news|url=http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2015/10/02/duluth-radio-station-claims-permanent-switch-to-year-round-christmas-music/|title=Duluth Radio Station Claims Permanent Switch To Year-Round Christmas Music|work=CBS Minnesota|date=2015-10-02|access-date=2018-05-09|language=en}}
Richmond's WURV aired 12 hours of "inappropriately early" Christmas music on October 7, 2015, as a satire of Christmas creep and stations trying to be the first in their market to play Christmas music.{{Cite web |title=WURV (103.7 Play)/Richmond Is (Not) Our First Christmas Station |url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/146391/wurv-103-7-play-richmond-is-not-our-first-christma |access-date=2021-03-05 |website=All Access |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=WURV Comes Clean Over Christmas Stunt |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/94846/inappropriately-early-christmas-music-comes-to-richmond/ |access-date=2021-03-05 |website=RadioInsight |language=en-US}}
WURV's sister station WJSR would notably conduct an unusually-long Christmas music stunt lasting from October 13, 2020 to March 4, 2021; the station had originally stunted with snippets of songs as "Short Attention Span Radio" from October 1.{{Cite web|title=On The 125th Day Of Christmas Music, Why Is WJSR Still In Holiday Mode?|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/204969/on-the-125th-day-of-christmas-music-why-is-wjsr-still-in-holiday-mode/|access-date=2021-03-02|website=RadioInsight|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title=WJSR Goes All-Christmas As Santa 100.9|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/198841/jack-fm-exits-richmond-with-a-short-attention-span/|access-date=2021-03-02|website=RadioInsight|language=en-US}} After just over five months of stunting in total, WJSR flipped to classic hits Awesome 100.9 on March 4, 2021.{{Cite web|title=SummitMedia Makes Double Flip In Richmond|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/205784/summitmedia-makes-double-flip-in-richmond/|access-date=2021-03-05|website=RadioInsight|language=en-US}}
In October 2018, KBFF in Portland, Oregon briefly stunted with a Halloween-themed format as eviL 95.5 (an inversion of its typical branding Live 95.5), as a parody of all-Christmas formats.{{Cite web |date=2018-10-19 |title=Live 95.5 Portland To Get Evil With Halloween Music |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/171392/live-95-5-portland-to-get-evil-with-halloween-music/ |access-date=2023-06-13 |website=RadioInsight |language=en-US}}

= Other =

On January 7, 2019, country station KSED/Sedona began stunting with a speaking clock counting down to 6:00 a.m. on January 14, 2019. The stunt—which led into a rebranding with no change in format—prompted the Flagstaff Police Department to issue a statement clarifying that, despite concerns from residents, this was a promotional event with no harm intended.{{Cite web|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/173638/ksed-counting-down-to-monday/|title=KOLT Country 107.5 Flagstaff Revamps As The New KOLT|date=2019-01-15|website=RadioInsight|language=en-US|access-date=2019-01-15}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2019/01/10/radio-stations-eerie-marketing-campaign-stirs-confusion/2533106002/|title='What is going on with 107.5 in Flagstaff?': Radio station's eerie marketing campaign stirs confusion|website=azcentral|language=en|access-date=2019-01-11}}
In 2018 and 2020, iHeartMedia used multiple stunts as part of its retooling and relaunch of CHR station KBKS-FM in Seattle.
In late-October 2018 approaching Halloween, the station dropped its on-air personalities, and began to air promos and sweepers implicating the end of its existing Kiss format. Later, the station began to interrupt songs with a demonic voiceover stating that "Kiss is dead", and air promos teasing an announcement on October 31. At that time, the station announced that it would revamp its on-air lineup with no change in format, explaining the prior stunt by stating that they were "dead serious" about finding "Seattle's Funniest Person" to join its morning show (as part of an accompanying contest).{{Cite news |date=2018-10-31 |title=106.1 Kiss-FM Seattle Relaunches Dead Serious About Finding New Morning Host |language=en-US |work=RadioInsight |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/171502/106-1-kiss-fm-seattle-stunting/ |access-date=2018-11-01}}{{Cite news |title=KBKS (106.1 Kiss FM)/Seattle Jockless And Stunting |language=en |work=All Access |url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/181136/kbks-106-1-kiss-fm-seattle-jockless-and-stunting |access-date=2018-11-01}}{{Cite news |title=KBKS/Seattle Goes Under Construction, Calls Out For New On-Air Talent |language=en |work=All Access |url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/181338/kbks-seattle-goes-under-construction-calls-out-for?ref=search |access-date=2018-11-01}}
In July 2020, KBKS announced that it had hired Jubal Fresh—the former co-host of KQMV's nationally-syndicated morning show Brooke & Jubal—to host a new morning show on the station.{{Cite news |date=2020-07-27 |title=Jubal Lands in Seattle |language=en-US |website=Radio Ink |url=https://radioink.com/2020/07/27/jubal-lands-in-seattle/ |access-date=2020-07-27}} On August 3, 2020, the station temporarily rebranded as Jubal 106.1 to promote the impending launch of The Jubal Show,{{Cite web |date=2020-08-03 |title=KBKS Drop Kiss-FM Branding; Stunting As Jubal 106.1 In Preparation Of Morning Show Launch |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/195209/kbks-drop-kiss-fm-branding-stunting-as-jubal-106-1-in-preparation-of-morning-show-launch/ |access-date=2020-08-12 |website=RadioInsight |language=en-US}} after which it adopted its new branding—Hits 106.1—on August 20 to coincide with its premiere.{{Cite web |date=2020-08-20 |title=KBKS Becomes Hits 106.1 As Jubal Show Launches |url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/196201/kbks-becomes-hits-106-1-as-jubal-show-launches/ |access-date=2020-08-21 |website=RadioInsight |language=en-US}}
From March 27 to late-May 2020, CHR station WFLC/Miami, Hits 97.3, branded as Quarantine Radio in reference to the COVID-19 pandemic and Florida's stay-at-home order. The station maintained its existing format, but added commercial-free hours of dance music mixes ("Fit Mixes") at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily. In late-May, the Quarantine Radio branding was dropped and the station promoted itself as being "under construction", before re-launching the Hits format on June 3 with a new on-air lineup.{{Cite web|date=2020-06-03|title=Hits 97.3 Miami Completes Station Rebuild|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/188157/hits-97-3-miami-goes-under-construction/|access-date=2020-06-03|website=RadioInsight|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=2020-03-27|title=WFLC Temporarily Becomes 97.3 Quarantine Radio|url=https://radioinsight.com/headlines/185596/wflc-temporarily-becomes-97-3-quarantine-radio/|access-date=2020-06-03|website=RadioInsight|language=en-US}}

On television

Cartoon Network has broadcast its share of stunts over the years, many on April Fools' Day. On April 1, 1997, the network aired a stunt where it had purportedly been taken over by Screwy Squirrel, and subsequently broadcast the Screwy Squirrel cartoon "Happy-Go-Nutty" for 12 hours straight.{{Cite news|last=Bennett|first=Sara J.|date=1997-04-02|title=April Fool! TV viewers go nutty|pages=1|work=The Springfield News-Leader|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56220934/the-springfield-news-leader/|access-date=2020-07-28}} Numerous complaints were received about this particular event, generally fielded by Cartoon Network's cable providers, who had been left in the dark about the stunt. Later April Fools' Day stunts on Cartoon Network have included an 11 hour Cow and Chicken marathon in place of a scheduled Chowder marathon on April 1, 2009, and 14 hours of programming edited to have googly eyes on April 1, 2017.{{Cite tweet |title=Happy #AprilFools |number=848142960143339522 |user=cartoonnetwork |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702055517/https://twitter.com/cartoonnetwork/status/848142960143339522 |archive-date=Jul 2, 2022 |access-date=21 July 2023 |lang=en |url-access=limited |url-status=live |url=https://twitter.com/cartoonnetwork/status/848142960143339522}}

Adult Swim has held a number of their own April Fools' programming stunts, such as promoting a television premiere of Aqua Teen Hunger Force Colon Movie Film for Theaters before its theatrical release (but displaying it in a comically-small window over regularly-scheduled programming), airings of the cult Tommy Wiseau film The Room, episodes of Aqua Teen Hunger Force and Rick and Morty redubbed by children and edited to be family-friendly ("Adult Swim Junior"),{{Cite web |last=Lynch |first=Jason |title=Adult Swim Jr. Debuts in April Fools' Faux Rebrand |url=https://www.adweek.com/convergent-tv/adult-swim-jr-debuts-in-april-fools-faux-rebrand-with-wendys-tie-in/ |access-date=2022-08-15 |language=en-US}} a one-off revival of Cartoon Network's former action and anime block Toonami (which would later be rebooted under the auspices of Adult Swim), an airing of Toonami with programs in their original Japanese audio with subtitles (including Masaaki Yuasa's 2004 experimental film Mind Game) rather than an English dub,{{Cite web |title=Internet Reacts To Toonami's April Fool's Day Anime Stunt |url=https://comicbook.com/anime/2018/04/01/toonami-april-fools-day-anime-stunt-react/ |access-date=2019-04-03 |website=ComicBook.com |language=en}} and preceding an announced season 2 premiere of Smiling Friends with airings of several season 1 episodes recreated with puppets.{{Cite web |date=2024-01-01 |title=April Fools’ Day Treat: ‘Smiling Friends’ Serves Up Puppet-Animated Episodes and Season Two Reveal |url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2024/04/april-fools-day-treat-smiling-friends-serves-up-puppet-animated-episodes-and-season-two-reveal/ |access-date=2024-04-02 |website=Animation Magazine}} The stunts have sometimes included unannounced previews and premieres of new and existing series, such as additional episodes of Perfect Hair Forever after its supposed series finale, the third season premiere of Rick and Morty, and an unannounced world premiere of the first episode of FLCL{{'}}s third season before its second season had even premiered in the U.S. yet.{{Cite web |last=Osborn |first=Alex |date=2018-03-31 |title=FLCL: Alternative Stealth Debuted on Toonami for April Fool's Day |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/04/01/flcl-alternative-stealth-debuted-on-toonami-for-april-fools-day |access-date=2019-04-03 |website=IGN |language=en-US}}{{cite web |last1=Cobb |first1=Kayla |date=April 18, 2017 |title=10 of The Craziest And Most Controversial Things Adult Swim Has Done |url=https://decider.com/2017/04/18/crazy-and-controversial-adult-swim-moments/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170718140257/https://decider.com/2017/04/18/crazy-and-controversial-adult-swim-moments/ |archive-date=July 18, 2017 |access-date=July 18, 2017 |website=Decider |publisher=New York Post |df=mdy-all}}{{cite web |author=Matar, Joe |title=Rick and Morty Season 3 Episode 1 Review: The Rickshank Rickdemption |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/us/tv/rick-and-morty/263381/rick-and-morty-season-3-episode-1-review-the-rickshank-rickdemption |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404201509/http://www.denofgeek.com/us/tv/rick-and-morty/263381/rick-and-morty-season-3-episode-1-review-the-rickshank-rickdemption |archive-date=April 4, 2017 |access-date=June 4, 2017 |publisher=Den of Geek}}{{Cite web |title=Rick and Morty Season 4 Premiere Date Revealed During Samurai Anime Short |url=https://comicbook.com/anime/news/rick-and-morty-new-episodes-return-date-adult-swim/ |access-date=2020-11-14 |website=comicbook.com/ |language=en}}

For 35 days in early-1998, Birmingham, Alabama's CBS affiliate WBMG—which had recently been acquired by Media General—stunted during some of the timeslots of its local newscasts with a clock counting down to a major relaunch of the station and its fledgling news department on February 5.{{Cite web |last=Malone |first=Michael |date=2012-10-01 |title=High-Flying Gannett Exec Lands on His Feet |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/high-flying-gannett-exec-lands-his-feet-113604 |access-date=2022-08-13 |website=Broadcasting Cable |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=1998-01-01 |title=Birmingham TV station replaces news shows with a countdown clock |pages=12 |work=The Anniston Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31094026/birmingham-tv-station-replaces-news/ |access-date=2022-08-13}}{{cite news |last=Lafayette |first=Jon |date=February 9, 1998 |title=Alabama CBS affiliate tries spartan newscast |page=49 |periodical=Electronic Media |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_televisionweek_1998-02-09_17_7/mode/2up?q=WBMG}}

Nick Jr. Too, a sister to the British Nick Jr. channel, has occasionally aired long-term marathons of Peppa Pig, during which it has branded as "Nick Jr. Peppa".{{cite web|last=Wallop |first=Harry |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/relationships/10361996/Dad-of-four-a-family-united-by-Peppa-Pig.html |title=Dad of four: a family united by Peppa Pig |work=The Telegraph |date=2013-10-08 |access-date=2013-12-01}} In a similar manner, Sky Sports has also temporarily rebranded some of its multiplex channels as "pop-up" channels to devote them to major events, such as The Ashes series in cricket (Sky Sports Ashes),{{cite web|url=http://www1.skysports.com/cricket/news/12172/8772756/The-Ashes-2013-Sky-Sports-dedicates-channel-to-the-Ashes|title=The Ashes 2013: Sky Sports dedicates channel to the Ashes|publisher=Sky Sports|date=13 June 2013}} the PDC World Darts Championship (Sky Sports Darts; in 2015, this used the Sky Sports F1 channel, since Formula One was in its off-season),{{cite web | url=http://www.skysports.com/darts/news/12288/10062188/sky-sports-darts-returns-for-pdc-world-championship | title=Sky Sports Darts returns for PDC World Championship | access-date=15 November 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2014/11/15/sky-sports-launches-darts-channel/|title=Sky Sports launches darts channel|date=15 November 2014|access-date = 18 February 2015|first = Robert|last = Briel|website = Broadband TV News}} and golf's Open Championship (Sky Sports The Open).{{cite web | url=http://www.a516digital.com/2016/06/sky-dedicates-channel-to-open-does-u.html | title=Sky dedicates channel to The Open, does U-turn on channel numbers | access-date=1 June 2016}} In January 2019, Sky Sports Action was temporarily renamed "Sky Sports USA", with programming focusing on the National Basketball Association (coinciding with the playing of the NBA Global Games series in London), and the National Football League playoffs and Super Bowl LIII.{{Cite web|url=https://www.digitaltveurope.com/2018/12/20/sky-launching-dedicated-american-sports-channel/|title=Sky launching dedicated American sports channel|date=20 December 2018|website=Digital TV Europe|language=en-GB|access-date=22 December 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://advanced-television.com/2018/12/20/sky-sports-launches-usa-pop-up-channel/|title=Sky Sports USA pop-up channel|last=Mann|first=Colin|website=advanced-television.com|date=20 December 2018 |language=en-GB|access-date=22 December 2018}}

At least three networks have used stunting-type events prior to their formal launches: G4, for example, aired a 7 day long game of Pong before its formal debut on April 24, 2002.{{Cite web |last=Bloom |first=David |date=2002-04-24 |title=Game channel G4 bows with 7 days of Pong |url=https://variety.com/2002/digital/news/game-channel-g4-bows-with-7-days-of-pong-1117865894/ |access-date=2022-06-30 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} This stunt would later be referenced by the network's sign-off December 31, 2014, as well as in the video announcing its 2021 return.{{cite web |date=December 31, 2014 |title=G4TV Goes Off The Air (12-31-14) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIaPvsrUG8w |access-date=February 7, 2016 |work=YouTube}}{{Cite tweet|number=1286705200506343424|user=G4TV|title=We never stopped playing.|date=July 24, 2020}} MLB Network aired a continuous loop of baseball highlights and promos as a "soft launch" in the weeks before its formal debut on January 1, 2009. Canada's Sun News Network employed an on-screen countdown clock graphic in the hours before its April 18, 2011, launch.{{cite news |first=Steve |last=Ladurantaye |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/television/sun-news-network-launches-with-anchor-posing-as-sunshine-girl/article1989501/ |title=Sun News Network launches with anchor as Sunshine Girl |newspaper=The Globe and Mail |date=April 18, 2011}}

Since 2017, one of ESPN's networks has stunted as "ESPN8: The Ocho" on or near August 8 (8/8), carrying a marathon of programming featuring obscure or unconventional sporting events and competitions such as chess boxing, disc golf, dodgeball, esports, Highland games, kabaddi, lawn mower racing, mini-golf, and roller derby among others. The stunt pays tribute to a fictitious ESPN channel of the same name portrayed in the 2004 sports comedy film DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story (nicknamed "The Ocho", in reference to ESPN2 being nicknamed "The Deuce" on launch), which is promoted as broadcasting events that are "almost a sport". The stunt was originally held on ESPNU—a channel that normally carries college sports events during the academic year, but moved to ESPN2 beginning in 2018. The film itself has sometimes been screened as part of this lineup as well.{{Cite news|url=https://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2017/8/3/16091446/espn8-the-ocho-real-tv-channel|title=ESPN is creating ESPN8: 'The Ocho' for one glorious day|work=SB Nation|access-date=2017-08-18}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/breaking/ct-espn8-the-ocho-espnu-20170804-story.html|title='ESPN8: The Ocho' to replace ESPNU — if only for a day|last=Rosenthal|first=Phil|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=2017-08-28|language=en-US}}{{cite web|first=Brian|last=Steinberg|url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/bold-strategy-cotton-espn-the-ocho-business-1202899209/|title=Bold strategy, Cotton: Inside ESPN's crazy plans to turn 'The Ocho' into a business|work=Variety|date=August 8, 2018|access-date=August 8, 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2019/08/espn8-the-ocho-returns-with-pizza-dough-throwing-sign-spinning-lawn-mower-races-and-more-weird-sports.html|title=ESPN8: The Ocho returns with pizza dough throwing, sign spinning, lawn mower races and more weird sports|last=Morona|first=Joey|date=2019-08-06|website=Cleveland.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-15}}{{Cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2848779-espn8-the-ocho-top-highlights-funny-reaction-schedule-for-wednesdays-events|title=ESPN8 The Ocho: Top Highlights, Funny Reaction, Schedule for Wednesday's Events|last=Daniels|first=Tim|website=Bleacher Report|language=en|access-date=2019-08-15}} ESPN would later launch an ESPN8-branded free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channel devoted to such content.{{Cite web |last=Lucia |first=Joe |date=2023-12-20 |title=ESPN8: The Ocho is now live as ESPN's first FAST channel |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/streaming/espn8-the-ocho-now-live-espn-fast-channel.html |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=Awful Announcing |language=en-US}}

References

Category:Radio broadcasting

Category:Radio formats

Category:Publicity stunts