MediaCo Holding Inc., parent company of the legendary HOT 97 and WBLS, is taking its long-running cultural influence far beyond New York. The company is launching both brands on Dot 2 audio in Los Angeles, Riverside, Dallas, and Houston—four markets where Hip Hop, R&B, and multicultural storytelling have deep roots and massive audiences.
For MediaCo, this isn’t just syndication. It’s a strategic expansion designed to extend urban music culture across regions that helped build the genres in the first place. And for listeners, it means 24/7 access to programming that blends music discovery, exclusive interviews, live performances, lifestyle content, and hyperlocal community coverage.
At a time when streaming and digital audio are rewriting the rules of broadcast relevance, MediaCo is betting that heritage brands with cultural credibility still matter—and can scale.
From New York Streets to National Reach
HOT 97 and WBLS aren’t just radio stations; they’re institutions in Hip Hop and R&B. Their evolution has mirrored the rise of urban culture itself: from carrying early rap pioneers to hosting today’s chart-toppers and emerging talent.
“HOT 97 and WBLS are more than radio stations, they’re cultural movements,” said MediaCo CEO Albert Rodriguez. Expanding through Dot 2 audio, he added, allows the brands to meet audiences in cities that have shaped urban music for decades.
Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, and the Inland Empire have long been hotbeds for regional sound—and homes to some of the genre’s most influential creators. Bringing New York’s iconic voices into these ecosystems sets up a rare cross-coast cultural exchange.
Why Dot 2? The Platform Play Behind the Expansion
Dot 2 audio isn’t a household name yet, but it’s quietly building a footprint in digital broadcast infrastructure. The platform allows broadcasters to scale channels quickly across streaming and digital environments, making it a natural fit for legacy stations reinventing themselves for national audiences.
“Dot 2 provides the perfect platform to expand MediaCo’s audio footprint,” said Kudjo Sogadzi, EVP of Content & Growth at MediaCo. For brands like HOT 97 and WBLS, nationwide expansion used to require complex syndication deals. Today, digital distribution cuts through much of that friction—opening the door to broader and faster reach.
With the addition of Dot 2, MediaCo positions itself not just as a New York radio powerhouse, but as a national content network spanning culture, music, and community influence.
A Strategic Move as Digital Audio Competition Intensifies
The digital audio landscape has become a battleground. Spotify and Apple push exclusive podcasts. YouTube is leaning deeper into music. Broadcasters are reinventing themselves to stay relevant in an on-demand world. For MediaCo, expanding flagship brands into high-growth regional markets is a direct play to maintain cultural authority while tapping new revenue lines.
The move also reflects a larger trend: heritage media brands using digital distribution to reclaim audience share. HOT 97 and WBLS already command decades of credibility—now they need reach. Dot 2 provides that scale while preserving the authenticity that built the brands in the first place.
Launch Details and What Listeners Can Expect
The new Dot 2 audio channels go live December 1, 2025, and will be available across major streaming and digital platforms. That means:
- Continuous Hip Hop, R&B, and Urban contemporary programming
- Exclusive interviews with top artists and cultural leaders
- Live sessions, DJ sets, and event broadcasts
- Localized stories for each market
- Community-driven shows spotlighting regional voices
For MediaCo, this expansion isn’t just about geography—it’s about deepening relationships with the audiences who have shaped and amplified urban culture for decades.
