On June 3, 2005, CBS Radio (then Infinity Broadcasting), dumped the Oldies format on WCBS-FM/New York and turned the legendary heritage oldies station into 101.1 Jack FM. The company felt it could make more money by serving a younger demographic with music of the '80s and '90s instead of the '50s, '60s, and '70s. Well, CBS-FM listeners were furious and early ratings were less than encouraging. Two years later it looks like the move is about to be reversed.
From the NYTimes.com: "WCBS and other radio station owners have had success with the Jack format in other markets, but WCBS lost more than half its audience share, and advertising revenue fell by 30 percent in 2006 from 2005. The station is expected to switch back to an oldies format this week, according to a person who was briefed on the situation but who was not authorized to speak publicly about it."
WCBS-FM did soon switch back to it’s original Oldies format. This station and its format were institutions in the New York area and the format switch and name change were one of various programming bungles by Infinity Broadcasting over several years. Bringing the format back marked one of the most visible examples of "eating crow" in the Radio business this year.
Notable 2007 Event
XM CEO OUT
XM Satellite Radio Chief Executive Office, Hugh Panero, announced he would be leaving his position and the company in August.
