What Happened to 104.3 the Shark?

New Times talks to radio host Ashley O about what happened to Miami’s premier alternative music radio station.

August 12, 2025

Image: A woman sitting by a door outside a radio station

Ashley O sitting by the 104.3 The Shark studio door. Photo courtesy of Ashley O

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Miami's alternative music community took a gut punch last Friday when 104.3 the Shark abruptly vanished from the airwaves. While the frequency remains, WSFS swapped its decade-old alternative format for sports talk, simulcasting WQAM, another Audacy-owned station.

The change hit at 1:04 p.m. on August 7, 2025, right after playing Green Day's "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" — a farewell track that now feels uncomfortably on-the-nose. WSFS also announced new call letters, WQAM-FM, to match its sports radio counterpart.

Over the weekend, fans flooded social media with memories of the Shark. For many, the station was a place of community besides being the soundtrack of their daily commutes.

One of the loudest voices in that community was the Ashley O, Best of Miami–winning morning show host, who's been on the mike since the Shark's inception. Speaking with New Times, Ashley admitted the news blindsided her.

"I found out with everybody else," she says. "Right before they announced the new direction, I got the call. It was shocking and sad — I shared that shock with our listeners."

Ashley's decade at the Shark gave her a front-row seat to South Florida's alternative scene. She hosted the station's biggest events, from Riptide Music Festival to intimate "Shark Out of the Water" sessions, and she built deep ties with fans.
"Selfishly, my favorite memories are having my kids in the studio with me," she recalls. "Waking up South Florida together, it felt like my whole family was there. That can't be recreated," he says.

For now, Ashley's future is wide open. "I love radio, but I'm taking time to pause and listen to the universe," she shares. "I put so much into that station, and I love our listeners. I don't know what's next, but I want to keep connecting with the community."

While the dial may have changed, Ashley insists the spirit of the Shark will live on in its listeners. "The vibe was built by the people who tuned in every day. You can't bottle that. We get to keep that forever, and that's fucking amazing."

Ashley says she'll remain active on social media (@ashleyo2go on Instagram and TikTok) as she figures out her next chapter. In the meantime, we would love to hear your favorite memories of 104.3 the Shark — the shows, songs, and moments that made the station a home for Miami's alternative music fans. You can send us an email or an Instagram DM.

Florencia Franceschetti, professionally known as Flor Frances, is the Music Editor at Miami New Times. An award-winning journalist and radio host with over 15 years of experience, she has contributed to outlets such as Bandcamp Daily, the Miami Herald, and Artburst. She is also the founder and former editor of the local publication Too Much Love. Her work focuses on documenting and amplifying cultural and artistic expressions within the music and art communities.

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