WCBS-FM (New York City)...how do you feel about the station going back to oldies?

Question

Today (Thursday, July 12th) is the official day that WCBS-FM, which was a heritage oldies station for 23 years before it flipped to "Jack", went back to the oldies format.

For those in NYC, how do you feel about the change? Is it what you've expected? Better? Worse?

Answer 1

I'm extremely happy because I'm coming back to the East Coast soon for a visit and will be able to listen to a decent station while I drive. (I listened to WFUV while driving around last time I was home and, despite the presence of some former WNEW-FM jocks, it sounded like play-it-safe alt-music for yuppies who forgot how to rock when they grew up. I didn't want to have to listen t just WCBS-AM and WFAN again.)

I was heartbroken -- more like furious -- when I heard CBS unceremoniously dumped oldies from 101.1 in favor of Jack Sh*t. They dumped the nation's pioneer oldies format, one with over 30 years of history and good ratings and legendary deejays, for a snarky, faux Gen-X, faux non-format format. (Coincidentally, I was visiting a friend in Los Angeles that weekend and saw a billboard for L.A.'s Jack radio while on the freeway. She turned it on. It was Phil Collins. That experiment lasted four seconds.) Basically, it was a purely greed-driven decision: You make a lot more money if you don't have to pay Jack for personalities.

I'm glad the suits saw the egregious error of their ways. I'm glad CBS-FM is back and I'm glad it's updating the playlist. Hopefully, it'll be a wide and far-reaching playlist and not, as The Four Tops sang, the same old song. I do wish they'd throw the '50s fans a little bone, though. Don K. Reed's Doo-Wop Shop was a staple on Sunday nights for a long time, and if there was a music form (aside from early punk and hip-hop) that screamed New York, it was doo-wop. There should be some room for '50s material besides Elvis. (If they want to skew younger in the books, how about a rockabilly show?)

Answer 2

I tried to listen to JACK-FM a few times, just to be fair, but they played heavy metal, hard rock, and then followed it up with a love ballad. No blending or planning whatsoever. I own an iPod and I NEVER use the "Shuffle" feature, I build my own playlists so the songs flow into one another.

I listened to WCBS-FM for years, even though I'm younger than their demographics. I heard the changeover to Jack-FM take place because I was a loyal CBS listener. I thought it was a pirate radio station and was disgusted to find out that all of the DJ's were cut loose in support of the computerized format.

When I heard they were flipping back, I was thrilled. Even though I have an HD radio and could listen to the oldies stream, the DJ's really were lacking.

Listening yesterday for hours was great - I really missed the DJ's and the music.

So far, so great!

Answer 3

Going back to the oldies was purely a money issue with the station. It was making nearly nothing (no listeners - no advertising money income) and ratings were down.
Oldies is a guaranteed income for ANY radio station.

Answer 4

Great move!

I grew up with the oldies format, so I am used to it. Never liked that "Jack" nonsense or the choice of music. Much better!

Sad thing is, I don't listen to the radio much anymore with mp3 players, CDs, and online radio stations (love Yahoo Launch!), and satellite, who needs the regular radio?

Nancala :)
http://www.ncslearnalanguageresources.com

Answer 5

I think it is a wonderful idea! Oldies are the best especially songs from the 1970's. I just wish they had done it when I was still living there.

Answer 6

i will say this an i know i will catch alot of sh*t for it, i think going back to the oldies is great idea no matter where your from ,theres no fun in music anymore,all you hear is kill this person or kill that person mostly in rap stuff i have heard no offense to anyone just my opion

Answer 7

I say "Welcome Back"!!
The original CBS-FM didn't play songs from the 80's...
but it's just good to have them back