I’ve been in TV over 25 years, yet my heart is still in radio. I loved being a jock. It was what I wanted to be when I grew up!
Back then, I thought I was pretty good… though I cringe today when hearing some airchecks. I got as far as doing mornings in Philadelphia. That’s not so awful.
A few years ago, CBS decided to change the format of WCBS-FM. For decades it had been a New York City fixture as ‘the’ oldies station. Though not the top station in the city, it had a very salable audience.
It was, alas, expensive to run. I would guess WCBS-FM had the most expensive jock staff in New York City, some of whom still needed board ops.
One day CBS just pulled the plug. Oldies gave way to ‘Jack,’ an automated format with a wide mix of music. Lots of people were upset.
As it turns out, New York City voted with its feet! Ratings slid and revenues dropped (much more than costs dropped).
Now CBS seems to have seen the error of its ways. The rumor is, sometime next week oldies will ring out again from 101.1 FM in New York.
I’m happy about the change. I’m happy the bean counters were wrong. I’m happy live jocks will return. I’m happy fun entertainment on the radio is valued.
“You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone” – Joni Mitchell.
Hey, CBS-FM. If you’re looking for a fill-in weekend jock, I have a set of headphones ready to go.