Michigan Radio & TV Buzzboard

MCelotto wrote: ↑Mon Aug 19, 2024 6:14 am I heard Kara say hello and give the weather.

Fascinating.

They’re talking about travel. Music is playing between segments, including Karma Chameleon.

The voiceover guy has zero personality, almost robot or AI like.

Graham Wellington wrote: ↑Mon Aug 19, 2024 6:41 am

MCelotto wrote: ↑Mon Aug 19, 2024 6:14 am I heard Kara say hello and give the weather.

Fascinating.

A few observations, sorry if I ramble...

Last night, Bell played Casey Kasem's American Top 40 until 10. Then an hour of music as normal. At 11:00, the Drake top of the hour played, followed by an hour of "goodbye" type songs, such as We've Got Tonight (Bob Seger), Neither One Of Us (Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye) (Gladys Knight), Yesterday Once More (Carpenters), My Way (Frank Sinatra), God Only Knows (The Beach Boys), Thank You and Goodnight (The Angels), and Dim All The Lights (Donna Summer) was the last song on Motor City Favorites over the air. There were a few jingles, and only one short commercial break during the hour at about 11:50.

Dim All The Lights was interrupted at midnight for the new top of the hour announcement, and the first song on the new format was Hooked On A Feeling by Blue Swede. Bell's online stream continued uninterrupted as CKWW departed the format over the air. It's still streaming with the old music selection as I type this, however without jingles, commercials, and other announcements. The new CKWW is streaming too (on a new stream), but only on iHeart, the CINA app, and their website.

I am hoping the old music library continues streaming; I'll continue to listen as long as it's available. It's still called AM 580 Motor City Favorites, for those who want to search. I enjoy CKWW's new library, but it's "70's and 80's superhits" which is a dime-a-dozen and basically every other classic hits format with seemingly no jingles (yet?), just monotone liners, which is boring in my opinion. Nonetheless, I'll continue listening to this music on AM and give it a chance. WOMC bores me to tears and I haven't listened in probably over a year. I hope CKWW is better promoted and that they perform well.

"Radio is a business meant to make money and AM is dying" sentiments aside, this has been a dreaded bummer for me, that I knew would happen, as the old 580 was basically my last terrestrial radio refuge as the rest of Detroit media bores me to tears. Throughout all the other changes to radio in the past 2 decades, 580 seemed to be "old reliable". I've been listening to CKWW since 580 Memories in the early 90's after inheriting the big bands from 800, which I also listened to as a young kid with my grandparents. End of a long era, and I will certainly miss it.

The 60s appear to be completely gone. They did play Green Eyed Lady (the album version, why not when you have no advertising) which is as close as you'll get to that era. If you want 60s over the air now, it's WPON (if in range) or one of the non coms.

Most of the music I've heard you can hear on multiple Detroit or Toledo stations in FM stereo.

Time will tell if Windsor will support this.

Its the first day.... I'll give it more time to critique. I don't mind the new play list at all, I kinda like it. Its between classic hits and Soft AC station. They definitely need to work on the station imaging with an addition of some jingles and what not, But I'm glad (and STILL shocked) that the new owner did not take this station to brokered ethnic programs. I'm okay with this change. Glad to have live announcers on 580 again. Bell Media sucked the life outta this station years ago. Like stated on here before, it was just a computer in a closet..... now it has a chance again... A fresh new start.

Steve79 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 19, 2024 11:05 am Its the first day.... I'll give it more time to critique. I don't mind the new play list at all, I kinda like it. Its between classic hits and Soft AC station. They definitely need to work on the station imaging with an addition of some jingles and what not, But I'm glad (and STILL shocked) that the new owner did not take this station to brokered ethnic programs. I'm okay with this change. Glad to have live announcers on 580 again. Bell Media sucked the life outta this station years ago. Like stated on here before, it was just a computer in a closet..... now it has a chance again... A fresh new start.

You're right. With something that has been a regular part of my life for so long, it is harder to adapt. That's with anything in life I guess. I am open-minded and hopeful for new success for the station.

edj wrote: ↑Mon Aug 19, 2024 9:55 am The 60s appear to be completely gone.

I just tuned in and they are playing He's So Fine by The Chiffons

stopnswop2 wrote: ↑Mon Aug 19, 2024 2:00 pm

edj wrote: ↑Mon Aug 19, 2024 9:55 am The 60s appear to be completely gone.

I just tuned in and they are playing He's So Fine by The Chiffons

I wasn't hearing that on their main website stream.

I am hearing Mrs. Robinson by Simon and Garfunkel right now.

I was listening to the station for about an hour and a half earlier, it seems more of a classic hits with a hint of soft AC, with the required CanCon. I feel like this won't be nearly as good as the old one without the classic CKLW jingles. At least it's cool that Mark Lander is back, as I liked him on 93.9 the River.

I noticed the Bell feed is different, which makes me wonder if they're now using a generic iHeart Canada oldies feed? To be honest, I'm surprised CKWW lasted as long as it did with the oldies format. I thought it would flip after Charlie O left, it wasn't the same after he left anyway.

They just played Have I The Right? by The Honeycombs and Jumpin' Jack Flash by The Rolling Stones.

But it's still just all music. Maybe at 5 pm things will get rolling?

MWmetalhead wrote: ↑Mon Aug 19, 2024 11:59 am I think the concept of doing a fully staffed, music driven AM station in the year 2024 where income is driven by spot advertising, and where a plethora of FM signals exist, is beyond stupid.

If you look at successful Oldies stations in Louisville and Buffalo, in both instances, they have good FM translator coverage.

The situation in Hamilton is even worse for 1150 CKOC. Durham Radio has Classic Hits on 92.9 and 88.5, Cancon and all. Some of the same music is also on Boom 97.3 from Toronto. The current CKWW won't last for many years, but I think the long term plan is to switch it to a multilingual format anyhow. The Indian languages of Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu are one option. Another one is international music similar to what 820 CHAM has started playing.

Listening to CKWW today with its revamped "oldies" format, I have the mental image of an AM station trying to compete with WNIC 50 years ago. As a 67 year old male and longtime listener to the station, I'm not wild about the changes, but I'll keep my mind and ears open.