Evolution (radio network)


Evolution is a radio station platform on iHeartRadio and on Clear Channel's HD2 & HD3 radio and FM translators across the United States that plays commercial free Dance/EDM music 24/7, operated by iHeartMedia, Inc. The primary station for the platform is KZZP-HD2 Phoenix.

History

Evolution was launched on November 19, 2012 as a platform on iHeartRadio, replacing the previous Dance platform Club Phusion, which was phased out on March 31, 2013. The format and its content was programmed by legendary British DJ, producer, record executive, and radio personality Pete Tong, who also did an air shift until his departure in 2017. After the platform was launched, it would be adopted as the first over the air format at Clear Channel's newly acquired property WEDX-Lynn/Boston in December 2012, where it would last until June 2014 when it flipped to Country. Since then the format has expanded to Clear Channel's other properties as a HD2 sub channel or as an FM translator with customized liners for each market.
As of June 2019, Evolution’s HD2 and HD3 affiliates were replaced by iHeart's "Pride Radio" format targeting the LGBTQ community. The expansion was in response to rival Entercom's launching of the similar-formatted Channel Q platform. At the same time, it moved Evolution’s flagship station from WFLZ-HD2/Tampa to KZZP-HD2/Phoenix.

Programming

A majority of Evolution's programming tends to feature a heavy amount of EDM product but at times will play other Dance genres and an occasional classic. During the pre-midnight and weekend hours mix shows from influential performers in the world of EDM/Dance are featured.
In addition to being available 24/7, a supplemental syndicated weekly program companion, Evolution with Pete Tong, was available to Top 40/CHR and Rhythmic stations in the United States and in key countries worldwide, distributed by Premiere Networks in a 2-hour format. The program ended its run in December 2016.
In January 2018, Evolution introduced a new countdown program, America's Dance 30, hosted by Evolution PD Brian Fink. The program countdown the 30 most popular Dance/Electronic songs based on airplay from Dance-centric radio stations. The program airs twice on weekends on Evolution, and at various times on iHeart's Top 40 and Rhythmic outlets, including non-iHeart owned stations.

Affiliates

The following stations carry Evolution programming as an HD Sub-channel. Evolution can be heard on the iHeartRadio app: