Shits 96.5 is no more in Kalamazoo

[MWmetalhead]

As expected, The Touch (Adult R&B format) made its move from 95.5 to 96.5 late this afternoon.

I believe 95.5, 1660 and 96.5 are all simulcasting for the time being.

Primary website URL is now http://965wtou.com.

Recapping MWC moves in recent weeks:
-WQXC and Battle Creek's WFAT were joined together and now simulcast Oldies programming.
-WZUU pivoted to mainstream rock (they still air Alice Cooper's classic rock program at night)
-WVFM now has a very noticeable alternative and Modern AC lean. Virtually all classic rock that 92.5 plays has been removed from 106.5.
-WTOU's migration from 1660/95.5 to 96.5 is underway.

[Michigan Media]

I can confirm that The Touch is simulcasting on 95.5, 96.5 and 1660. 1660 is back online today after several days of downtime.

[KalamazooClown]

Personally, I'd like to see 1660 return to sports, but not necessarily with the 95.5 signal. I don't know the translator rules like most people on here....Could 95.5 relay programming from WFAT or WQXC? The 95.5 signal would be a nice addition to the other Cool FM signals for Kalamazoo county.

[gotigers]

I actually liked the Hits 96.5 format. It was mostly current pop but they also mixed in hits from as far back as the 90s to give this millennial some nostalgia. It didn't hurt that they also played fewer commercials than other stations. I guess it's back to KFR for me.

[Michigan Media]

It should be noted that The Touch branding has been removed from most of the station's imaging. Voiceovers now identify the station as "96.5 FM WTOU" or "96.5 FM Kalamazoo." I hope that means the Westwood One feed will be dropped soon. The station should really be programmed in-house.

A sports format on 1660 would be destined to fail without an FM simulcast partner. I do agree that Cool FM could use a translator in the Kalamazoo area. However, I will defer to someone more versed in engineering for the translator rules.

[edj]

It depends. Some are married to the AM station, others are not.

[CJ]

I miss Hits. Based on the ratings, I was probably one of three people that listened, but I like all of the music and limited commercial load. It definitely went through different playlist versions, but I liked the CHR/Alternative mix at one point and sometimes they would sprinkle some songs you haven’t heard on the radio in ages like *NSYNC - Dirty Pop. Too bad it didn’t launch 15 years ago. Now I’m rooting for Alternative at 95.5. A guy can dream…

[Feature/writer]

I would think the Kazoo-BC market could benefit from an all-sports or mostly sports format, negotiating some play-by-play possibilities. However, the FOX-Sports affiliate WMAX-FM 96.1 from GR-Holland does reach into Kazoo reasonably well.

[CD 94.7]

So many different formats for 96.5.. This one is sort of a revisit of UBU. Hits had been on thin ice for awhile.

[CJ]

I’ve lived in the area for 25 years. I believe every modern commercial format has been tried at that frequency.