Back to the oldies

July

Today’s a big day for radio: At 1:01 p.m., “WCBS-FM”:http://www.wcbsfm.com/ goes back to the oldies format it abandoned two years ago Ã¢â‚¬â€ and for many baby boomers, it’s a quiet victory.

Even though the station promises to bring back its oldies sound, it’s funny how the definition of “oldies music” has evolved. These days, say programmers at the station, the oldies sound includes music from the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s.

What? Is Billy Idol’s “White Wedding” really considered an oldie? Are classic Led Zeppelin songs like “Stairway to Heaven” now part of the oldies catalogue?
How weird is that?

Still, I have to say I’ll be tuning in to CBS-FM this afternoon on my ride home. What about you?

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 12th, 2007 at 12:10 pm by Linda Lombroso.
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4 Responses to “Back to the oldies”

Doreen B. July 12th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
Not a chance. I rejoiced when it went away and promptly set one of my car radio buttons to JackFM. Now I have to un-set it.
Jake Adams July 12th, 2007 at 12:58 pm
I am a longtime news reporter who has covered the radio industry, and I would like to be the first to set the record straight in the New York media regarding the return of “Oldies” to WCBS-FM 101.1 this afternoon at 1:01PM.

While the sudden switch of ‘CBS-FM to Jack FM in June 2005 was universally reviled and met with disgust by many radio listeners and advertisers, the Jack FM presentation – while it took a long time – actually started to kick in and perform well. Over the last year, Jack FM had become a higher-rated radio station in the important adults 25-54 demographic than WCBS-FM ever did.

Here are some fast facts:

Jack was No. 5 25-54 in middays… a key daypart for an adult radio station.

Jack was beating WPLJ 25-54. Jack was up five books in a row in the most important demo.

The problem? The sales department. If Jack was billing $35 million, WCBS-FM would not be coming back.

Once again, here are the facts: WCBS-FM’s last book as Oldies ranked them 14th. Their last book as Jack FM had them 10th 25-54.

Jack FM was up for the last five books in a row and beat WPLJ and WQCD in demo. Is that a failure?

If the 25-54 demo is what drives success, Jack FM is being put to rest just as it is gaining traction in a highly competitive marketplace.
Doreen B. July 12th, 2007 at 9:49 pm
OK, I’ll admit. I broke down. Just out of curiosity, I tuned in late this afternoon. And just as I suspected – they’ll be playing the same 200 tunes over and over again. When they announced that a Beatles tune would be coming up, I knew it had to be one of three tracks. And they didn’t disappoint. They’re playing only the songs you’ve heard a million times and nothing that makes you say “WOW – haven’t heard that in a long time”.

At least Jack FM had a bigger playlist and was more diverse in its choice of music. The ‘new’ CBS FM will be a great sedative…
Ray July 16th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
I’ve been listening to Jack FM since it first aired,
what 2 years ago, and now it’s been replaced with WCBS
FM Greatest Hits, I didn’t like that station before
and I don’t like it now. Jack was the best thing on
regular radio.

I understand that Jack is now on HD radio, however the
problem I have is that I don’t have a HD car radio. I
looked forward to listening to Jack on my 1 hour and
half commute to NYC. The other problem I have is that
both of my cars have factor in-dash radios that can
not be replace easily.

I’m very disappointed that CBS has made this change.
I guess I have no other option than to stop listening
to CBS radio, it’s a shame, you had a good thing going
there and now you have alienated a very large group of
listeners.

I can’t help but think that greed is driving this
decision. Let’s put Jack, one of the most popular
radio stations, on HD only and increase the sales of
HD radios. Maybe it’s not so, but it sure does feel
like that.

This change is not in the best interest of all your
listeners that made Jack FM one of the most listened
too stations.

Thanks for rewarding your loyal listeners.

Farewell.

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