Sale of Windsor's CKWW in the works

[WinPlentyWithDente]

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission will hold a hearing on Feb. 8, 2024 to consider several applications, including the sale of Windsor’s CKWW. The details are outlined below in item 3.

https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2023/2023-369.htm

[edj]

Sounds like more ethnic broadcasting considering that's what the applicant currently operates, which was the thought all along.

[MWmetalhead]

It's been sold to the owner of 102.3 CINA-FM. He's picking up CKWW plus 820 & 1150 in Hamilton (which both deliver strong signals to Toronto 24/7) for $445,000 total.

[ShempLives]

From the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission's Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2023-369, Notice of Hearing scheduled for February 8,2024, regarding the impending sale of CKWW: "The applicant also requested new broadcasting licences to continue the operation of the undertakings under the same terms and conditions as those in effect under the current licences." As I understand Canadian broadcast law, a change in format requires CRTC approval.

[TC Talks]

Sounds like more ethnic broadcasting considering that's what the applicant currently operates, which was the thought all along.

Which ethnicity?

[Marcus]

If AM 580 has Ethnic programming on it in the future, they will have multiple languages throughout each broadcast day.

[Mega Hertz]

That sucks. I know it was basically a computer in a closet, but they were playing stuff that's been lost for years. I guess that about hangs up that format.

[edj]

He also owns 102.3, which is predominately Arabic, likely targeting Dearborn (the US office is on Warren in that city). Could he file to amend the license and make the FM 100% Arabic and the other languages shifted to AM580? Is that something the CRTC would be likely to approve?

[ZenithCKLW]

I am actually distraught over losing CKWW. It’s the last remaining vestige of The Big 8. I had to endure WOMC today and I thought to myself, “is this what I have left?” Looks like I am done with music on terrestrial radio. Zoomer is a good alternative, depending on the time of day, year, and my location.

It’s definitely a format of a different time, but it’s refreshing, enjoyable, and unique. I am too young to remember The Big 8, but I grew up with my grandparents listening to big bands on 800, which moved to 580 Memories, ultimately evolving to what it is now. It’s been my favorite radio station for at least 20 years, and I will miss it.

[ShempLives]

CKWW has been one of my favorite Detroit-area stations for at least the past 15 years. As I've stated numerous times, many of the recordings played on CKWW were meant to be heard on AM radio. When Mickie Most mixed Donovan's "Sunshine Superman," he wasn't thinking "how will this sound in stereo."

[radiofann]

Sad to see CKWW change. I like it also. I remember the big 8 days and ckww is a reminder of those set lists.

[Deleted User 16093]

So foreign language here we come. As AM radio becomes more and more irrelevant. I do recall my grandpa listening to CKLW when they had a big band format in the very early 1990s. I'm way too young to remember CKLW as a top 40 station though.

[MWmetalhead]

I've not listened to 102.3 for any material length of time in probably a couple years, but whenever I did listen to the station and hear commercial breaks, I recall 100 percent of the spots were for businesses located in Metro Detroit - usually Dearborn, Sterling Heights, Warren, Troy, Southfield, or Farmington Hills. I cannot recall ever hearing an ad for a Windsor area business.

[TC Talks]

So this is a modern Arab Voice of Detroit

[Ben Zonia]

Hmmm. Appealing to an audience in the US and supported by businesses in the US. Doesn't that sound a lot like what The Big 8 CKLW was like in the 1960s and into the early 1970s, and was criticized by groups of Canadian citizens (one or more who tried to destroy their tower) and then they legislated to enact heavy handed CanCon? They forced a US company, RKO General, to sell its share of CKLW. So what difference does it make if the US residents are Middle Eastern and Eastern Asian? Why should that be allowed? US residents aren't Canadian.

The US allows a station to serve a tiny portion of New York, but it beams itself across Lake Ontario into Toronto like a Border Blaster. Are they returning the favor?