have been the longest running format of its kind in the country. The format switch took place one month after WZJM switched formats to rhythmic oldies under Chancellor/AMFM's "Jammin' Oldies" format concept rolled out at other stations owned by the conglomerate. AMFM, Inc. then merged into Clear Channel Communications in a $17.4 billion deal announced on October 3, 1999. To comply with market ownership restrictions imposed by the Department of Justice, AMFM's cluster was broken up on July 20, 2000: WZJM was divested to CBS Radio, while WJMO and WZAK were sold to Radio One, putting them under common ownership with WENZ and WERE. WERE (2007–present) On June 4, 2007, WJMO and WERE exchanged call signs and formats in what local media referred to as a "frequency trade". WJMO changed their calls to WERE and adopted the talk format the previous WERE had been carrying since January 2006, while the previous WERE became WJMO and assumed the gospel format. Radio One made the change after determining 's coverage area better reached the south and west of Cleveland where Blacks were moving to, while research estimated the majority of listeners to WERE's talk format on would still be able to pick up . A promotional campaign for the switch included automated phone calls voiced by Yolanda Adams, whose syndicated morning show WJMO had picked up prior to the switch. WERE's format consisted of Black-oriented talk during the daytime with a local morning show hosted by Ronnie Duncan, talk shows internally syndicated by Radio One—Michael Eric Dyson, Al Sharpton and the 2 Live Stews—brokered programming in the evenings, and ethnic shows on Sundays. Duncan left the station on October 10, 2007, expressing criticism at management not supporting the show, allowing veteran talent to leave and having "an agenda"; community activist Basheer Jones was his replacement. In January 2008, WERE reformatted Jones' show into a "morning team" program while readopting an all-brokered format with USA Radio Network shows airing in any unsold timeslots, a change attributed to low ratings. Sharpton's show was consequently moved to WJMO, both stations have since simulcast the program at different intervals. Area businessman Ken Lanci purchased airtime for a weekly infomercial while running for Cuyahoga County executive throughout the summer of 2010. Jones left the station in 2013 to enter politics, eventually becoming a Cleveland city councilman and mayoral candidate. After Jones' departure, WERE picked up The Tom