Goodbye CD 102.5 (going internet only)

[xmusicmatt]

https://www.facebook.com/CD102.5/photos/a.392195617497524/3627582513958802/?type=3&theater

"Things are getting weird around here… And they’re about to get weirder. 2020 has been one of the most challenging years in recent history, and CD102.5 has faced its share of challenges.

Recently, we were unable to reach an agreement with the owner of the FCC License, and at 12:01am on November 1st, CD102.5 will leave the FM airwaves. Make no mistake: we plan to move forward and continue broadcasting in the digital realm.

For decades, CD101 was a favorite radio station to many. When the license that allowed us to broadcast was sold, we moved our frequency to 102.5. Together, for 30 years, CD101 and CD1025 have been synonymous with the Columbus music scene and alternative music.

With the connectivity of the internet in cars and homes, with smart phones and smart devices, the digital world is the future."

 

[Delete My Account]

WWCD has been a truly great alternative station since the 101.1 days, and I truly wish them well.

But I'd be interested to see what their plan is to sustain an online only local "radio" station. Many have tried and it seems there's never been a formula found. Until independent broadcasters, Sound Exchange and perhaps regulators can sit down and work out an equitable plan that yes, pays artists but doesn't overburden independent broadcasters in the face of tech companies with truckloads of "venture capital" - the artists, listeners, and broadcasters will continue to lose.

And frankly, I'm not sure the "recording industry" gives a flip.

 

[bobgoodbob]

So what's going to happen with the 102.5 signal? Is it going to flip to a WHIZ FM simulcast?

 

[CTListener]

WWCD has been a truly great alternative station since the 101.1 days, and I truly wish them well.

But I'd be interested to see what their plan is to sustain an online only local "radio" station. Many have tried and it seems there's never been a formula found. Until independent broadcasters, Sound Exchange and perhaps regulators can sit down and work out an equitable plan that yes, pays artists but doesn't overburden independent broadcasters in the face of tech companies with truckloads of "venture capital" - the artists, listeners, and broadcasters will continue to lose.

And frankly, I'm not sure the "recording industry" gives a flip.

For sure, the artists don't, and it's obvious why. No touring due to COVID means big money lost. They'll support any plan available to squeeze more money out of streamers even if it means the smaller ones will have to give up.

 

[xmusicmatt]

So what's going to happen with the 102.5 signal? Is it going to flip to a WHIZ FM simulcast?

Don't know... I dug out an FM tuner and plan on listening at 12mid to see what happens. I can see them running programing from one of their FMs in Zanesville at least temporarly to keep the license hot until they either do something with it or sell it.

 

[Allfirdup]

Don't know... I dug out an FM tuner and plan on listening at 12mid to see what happens. I can see them running programing from one of their FMs in Zanesville at least temporarly to keep the license hot until they either do something with it or sell it.

I could see it become Christmas 102.5 and get a jump on the usual Christmas stations in Columbus.

 

[xmusicmatt]

I could see it become Christmas 102.5 and get a jump on the usual Christmas stations in Columbus.

I could see them doing that - If they don't just plug in "Highway Country 103.7" or "Z92.7"s format instead as a place holder... Christmas makes sense and they could 'easily' spin up a Virtual machine in Zanesville to plug in an automated Christmas format.. Given they used to run "automated" highway country 102 before the CD101 LMA I am sure they still have some form of STL path setup to connect to the Baltimore, OH transmitter site.

Of course if they do go Christmas.. I can see the folks on 5th Ave at 93.3 The Bus flipping to Christmas sooner than later! Also could we see 105.7 make a move back to an alternative format???

 

[xmusicmatt]

At 12:01 am during the legal ID they dropped to dead air and then after a few minutes of dead air the transmitter was turned off.

 

[xmusicmatt]

At 12:13 am they signed back on with a legal ID "WWCD Baltimore" and then Poison "every rose has it's thorn" then Twisted Sister "I wanna rock" after some dead air.. "taking it to the streets" it's like someone has plugged in an iPod on shuffle.

 

[dave00]

So how long until iHeart switches 105.7 back to alternative?

Even though alternative isn’t a huge format these days, it makes sense for somebody to assume it.

 

[davideduardo]

So how long until iHeart switches 105.7 back to alternative?

Even though alternative isn’t a huge format these days, it makes sense for somebody to assume it.

With the troubles the format is having in other markets, that is doubtful.

 

[xmusicmatt]

The 'ipod style' (a lot of dead air between songs) rock mix with just a legal ID at the TOH rolls on today.. My understanding is the owners are looking to sell the station... Given the climate we're in I could see it easily ending up in the hands of EMF.

 

[TheBigA]

Given the climate we're in I could see it easily ending up in the hands of EMF.

It doesn't have to be. You make it sound as though there are a lot of passionate fans of the station. Perhaps they could organize and buy the station. It won't sell for much. In Seattle, the listeners of a non-com raised $9 million to buy the station that was in a similar situation. It would obviously take a few thousand people to raise that kind of money. But it could be done.

 

[Yeziknoradio]

The music that aired Shortly after midnight may only be a very temporary move to show that 102.5 is still on the air in some way shape or form.
(meaning, I honestly do not know if a classic rock format is their intent)
The frequency itself is NOT available, should someone out there have interest in "renting" the frequency.

 

[MarkW]

Re:

When iHM last programmed an Alternative station locally, it earned much better numbers than the crappy ratings 105.7 is generating today.

I'd be very surprised if iHM doesn't flip 105.7. The station is going nowhere fast w/ its current format, which has proven to be a total failure. The station uses the same pathetic, centrally developed playlist found on stations such as 107.5 in Lima, OH, 100.3 in Portsmouth, NH, and 105.7 in Greensboro, NC, which means local management has already given up on devoting any meaningful programming resources to it.

The last time I drove thru the area and heard CD102.5, I was treated to terrible audio processing, a bunch of bad music, and uninspiring disc jockeys.

 

[ryan883]

They recently moved pride radio to 105.7’s HD2 channel. Strange fit for the current Brew format. I too think something is “brewing” with The Brew.

 

[TheBigA]

I'd be very surprised if iHM doesn't flip 105.7.

If it flips to alternative, we could easily name the line-up. Starting with The Woody Show in mornings.

 

[Delete My Account]

The last time I drove thru the area and heard CD102.5, I was treated to terrible audio processing, a bunch of bad music, and uninspiring disc jockeys.

WWCD outlasted its Jacor and iHeart competitors - for a total of 30 years. Appears those "uninspiring" DJs and "bad music" were more in tune with the tastes of Columbus alt music fans.

Uninspiring is the mildest adjective you could use for iHeart's "Alt" playlist. There is no way they'll sound better or connect with Columbus than WWCD did.

 

[stevenNOLA]

They recently moved pride radio to 105.7’s HD2 channel. Strange fit for the current Brew format. I too think something is “brewing” with The Brew.

I'd like to see them try Pride on an analog frequency (105.7). With the amount of currents on the playlist, it would have to get some traction and the coverage area is perfect for the format.


Mix 107.9 has abysmal coverage around downtown yet a decent format. Any chance Columbus Radio Group 'trades up' by going after the 102.5 frequency and moving either Mix or Rewind to a stronger signal?

 

[KE8EKV]

New member on the board here.

I'm still getting a decent copy of WWCD's signal 60 miles away on 102.5 MHz.

Mix of classic rock / 80's "hair" band music heard with no commercials heard. Station ID also heard at the top of the hour.

If I'm not mistaken don't this station broadcast from an old AT&T Long Lines Microwave Communications tower ???