Oldies Radio Has Died In NYC

[BROWNJB1]

I agree with you 100% Scott, but I don't need to read about it being sad. Well anyway, I really don't understand why would a radio station that was so successful both in the ratings and financially would change formats let alone to a JACK format. I think this JACK format is a joke. Not only is a JACK format a joke, but the format doesn't even use a deejay, do traffic and weather reports, and etc. Even though I have XM satellite radio and enjoy listening to it, I still love listening to traditional radio. But if tradition radio has to compete with satellite radio, mp3's and iPods, then so be it. But, if I want to listen to everything, I can just download music from Winmx. It may take me sometime to get all of the songs that I want to hear, but at least better than the JACK format.

[Matt Cameron]

Some history I've learned about the "Jack" format:
it's life began in Canada under the name "Bob", and when the format made its way stateside the first station to adopt it was KJAC in Denver. So I think that's where the name comes from.
From the sound of some of these posts, the stations should call it the "our PD's don't know JACK" format.

[Scott Lakefield]

brownjb1 said:

But if tradition radio has to compete with satellite radio, mp3's and iPods, then so be it.

Right, but you don't compete with other technologies by trying to BECOME them. "JACK" is radio's attempt to BECOME an Ipod...which does not truly compete against it. Why would someone choose to listen to a radio station that, as WCBS-FM in NYC now declares, "plays what WE like," when you can listen to an Ipod...which plays what YOU like?

Call me old-fashioned, but terrestrial radio's hallmark is personality. That's where Ipods, and even some satellite music channels, can't compete. They don't have DJ's playing the hits. In the case of WCBS-FM in NYC, its listeners had developed a relationship with those personalities...Cousin Brucie, Dan Taylor, Harry Harrison, etc. With a jockless format such as Jack, you might as well just listen to your Ipod or satellite radio. Terrestrial radio will lose that battle for the simple reason that it's got commercials while the other formats don't.

Put together a mix of music, personalities, and information (like news or traffic or weather) on a terrestrial radio station, and people will listen to the station ...commercials and all.

[Deleted]

well, with the exception of talk radio and certain music programs why would anyone listen to the radio when they can listen to exactly what they want with their ipods or whatever else? Most DJ's now have no personality to speak of anyway?!

[MEF]

Its now the first year anniversary NYC does not have an oldies station on regular radio. I'm afraid oldies radio is no more.

WOMC in the Detroit market, owned by CBS radio did not switch to the Jack format. If CBS pulled that off here in Detroit, CBS radio would have to pay Dick Purtan millions for doing nothing. However, WOMC does not play 50s or early 60s anymore. Its now only late 60s, 70s, and a few early 80s. WOMC changed their id from OLDIES 104.3 to MOTOR CITY'S 104.3. They just became the flagship station to carry U of M football.

Its a shame oldies is not heard on NYC radio. What is even more surprising is NYC does not have a country station, I believe. Now that's dumb! They still show country music award shows on CBS-TV in prime time.