Atlanta TV host Amiker joins station, Producer gets a promotion
By Brian Allen
Some big changes are coming to Audacy Hip Hop station WVEE “V-103”.
“The People’s Station” is bringing back former morning host Frank Ski, who will be hosting Sunday afternoons at the station from 12-4 pm, according to Radio Insight, an industry trade website. He will also be dropping in during the week with content as well.
Ski is no stranger to the station. He co-hosted the top-rated “Frank Ski Morning Show“ with Wanda Smith from 1998-2012, following the departure of the dominating run of the Mike Roberts and Carol Blackmon morning show. Frank and Wanda helped keep V-103 on top of the Atlanta radio ratings into the ‘00s. Both returned in 2018 for two more years in the AM drive.
Another familiar face will soon be joining the station as well. Francesca Amiker, formerly of WXIA TV 11-Alive and the national cable channel, E!, will join the “Big Tigger Morning Show” as co-host.
Amiker is a four-time Emmy winning tv journalist. She hosted the entertainment feature “The A-Scene” at 11-Alive, then headed to California to join E!. She’s been behind the camera too, starring in films like “Promise Me” and “Broken Mirrors.”
“Joining V103 feels like stepping into history while helping shape its future,” said Amiker in a statement. “This station is the heartbeat of Atlanta and the soundtrack to so many lives, including mine. To be a voice on that platform alongside Big Tigger- an icon- is surreal.”
Amiker has interviewed many celebrities and personalities as a host and anchor at 11 Alive and the Los Angeles-based E!.
“I’m excited to return home to Atlanta with a station that truly puts the people first and get to pour back into the community that taught me everything I know,” she adds.
The Big Tigger Morning Show launched in August 2020.
DJ Sturgess, the afternoon show producer, will now have his own show nightly (except Sunday) from 7-10 pm.
The changes take effect Monday, May 11th.
Left to right: Francesca Amiker, Frank Ski, and DJ Surgess
“Francesca is a powerhouse talent and we’re excited for our listeners to hear her on “the Big Tigger Morning show,” said V103 VP/Programming and Brand Manager Reggie Rouse, describing the upcoming changes at the station. “This new lineup, highlighted by Francesca’s arrival, Frank Ski’s return, and the well-deserved elevation of DJ Sturgess, reinforces V103’s position as the city’s most influential station. V103 continues to be the heartbeat of Atlanta, driven by personalities who truly care about our community.”
These talent changes at V103 might help the station claim more listeners in the fiercely competitive Atlanta Hip Hop/R&B ratings world. It’s currently battling Urban One’s Majic 107.5/97.5 and Hot 107.9, Cox’s Kiss 104.1, IHeart Radio’s 96.1 The Beat, and Core Communications’ Streetz 94.5.
With the exception of the 7-10 pm shift, there are no changes in the weekday V-103 schedule: Big Tigger from 6-10 am, followed by Danie B at 10-3pm, Greg Street at 3-7 pm, DJ Surgess at 7-10 pm, then closing with the “Quiet Storm” with Joyce Littel from 10 pm to 1 am.
Image credits: lead: MountainDweller, other images: V-103/Audacy.
