When WNOW-FM (105.3) switched programming Monday from regional Mexican to “old school” hits, it was the second major format flip in Charlotte radio this year. In July, “Lite” evaporated after two decades and was replaced by WLKO-FM (“The Lake” 102.9), featuring No. 1 songs from the last 30 years.

Two stations changing their formats in a single season is unusual in the competitive Charlotte radio market.

But it’s not over.

Sometime in the next month, WQNC-FM (“My 92.7”) will adopt a new sound, as yet unannounced.

“We’re not revealing yet what’s going to happen,” says Gary Weiss, regional vice president for the Carolinas for Radio One, which owns both WNOW-FM and WQNC-FM. “We’ve got plans for that station, and we think it will be well received.”

Tom Joyner’s morning show will move from “My 92.7” to “Old School 105.3” when the format changes.

Radio One’s stable of Charlotte stations, which also includes inspirational WPZS-FM (“Praise” 100.9), is targeted at African-American listeners and competes head-on with CBS Radio’s top-ranked powerhouses WBAV-FM (“V” 101.9) and WPEG-FM (“Power 98” 97.9) in the so-called “urban” format.

Weiss said an extensive market survey was conducted by Radio One when the company was reaching agreement to buy WNOW-FM. It sampled 400 African-American listeners and 400 general listeners in Charlotte before deciding to offer “old school” hits from the ‘70s and ‘80s (think of artists like Luther Vandross, Isley Brothers and Anita Baker), a similar format to “My 92.7,” which also throws in contemporary music.

“A lot of it has been in the ‘My 92.7’ library, but it’s like a skillful chef in the kitchen who mixes the ingredients in a different way and then, bingo!” he said. “Our team of experts is crafting this. It’s a bit more up-tempo than what we’ve been doing on ‘My 92.7.’”

“Old School” has been running commercial free, but that will change, probably next week, Weiss said. Advertising clients for “My 92.7” will migrate over to the new station in advance of the format change.

Radio One has struggled in Charlotte against CBS Radio, in part because its stations didn’t have the power to reach all corners of the metro region. “Old School,” however, has a strong signal that’s audible about 70 miles away.

For now, the station is playing automated music, though local personalities may be added, Weiss says.

Promos on the station feature people saying they’ve made the switch to “Old School,” and one of them directly targets listeners of WBAV-FM. A woman’s voice says she can’t listen to 101.9 any more.

“That’s old school, too,” says Terri Avery, a radio veteran who manages CBS Radio’s urban stations and knows how to fight the fight. “It’s an old, old radio trick from back in the day. I did it back in the ‘80s.”

Weiss says he respects his competitors, but it’s time for Radio One to strengthen its Charlotte operations.

“I’m not saying we’re going to mow over anyone, but for us, it’s a new start. … They’ve done well in the ratings, but I think a lot of people are feeling there’s an alternative station they can pick up now.”

Urban radio has long been the No. 1 format in Charlotte radio, commanding 21 percent of the region’s listening in the most recent Arbitron rankings. Country is No. 2 with 14 percent. Charlotte is the nation’s 24th largest radio market, with a population of 2.05 million. African-Americans compose 22 percent of that.

Media Movers

WBTV (Channel 3) will move its key newscasts during the Democratic National Convention to its roof. Located off West Morehead Street on a hill overlooking the skyline of uptown, WBTV will do its 5, 6, 7, and 11 p.m. newscasts from an improvised studio with anchors in director chairs beginning Monday. “We have this gorgeous shot of uptown from the top of the building,” says news director Dennis Milligan. “We wanted to do something special for the DNC.” …

Former Fox Charlotte (WCCB, Channel 18) morning host Beth Troutman will be back on TV this month as “RightThisMinute,” a syndicated show focusing on popular viral videos, is renewed. It will air this fall on WAXN (Channel 64) at 12:30 p.m. and 11:35 p.m. … Mark Peres will step down as executive director and president of the website CharlotteViewpoint.org in November. He founded it in 2003 as a locally-focused arts and culture forum and it has grown to be one of the top intellectual watering-holes in town. …

Albemarle’s Kellie Pickler has been booked as one of the co-hosts for Anderson Cooper’s “Anderson Live” show, probably late in September. … J. Donald Coleman of Hickory, the retired CEO of Hickory Springs Manufacturing Co., has been appointed to the UNC-TV board of trustees.