93.3 WODC "rebranding" as 93.3 The Bus.

[xmusicmatt]

Looks like the Christmas Music ended late this year. As of 12:00 am 12/28/15 it appears 93.3 is now "93.3 The Bus"

The new slogan is "We Play Everything"

Seems like there is also some format tweaks too. In the last 20 minutes I have heard Shinedown, Peter Gabriel, Adam Ant, Wang Chung, The Black Crowes

I don't remember these being in WODC rotation prior to Christmas. I have to wonder though if this is not a stunt to something else?

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

I highly doubt it's a stunt. I was wondering (including via a post elsewhere) if a change was on the way since Christmas music was continuing past Christmas day; plus the fact that their ratings have been trending down; plus the fact that 93.3's format changes or major tweaks are almost always right after they come out of Christmas music.

So it turns out I was on the right track.

After Salem bought 98.9 and dumped Jack a few years ago, and 103.9 was floundering with all news, I would occasionally check to see if addresses like jack1039fm.com had been taken, signalling that a possible change was on the way. I did the same for 93.3 since I knew iHM was doing so well with Adult Hits in Cleveland. I also searched for names that included “The Buck.” And yes, another one of the names I searched on was “The Bus” — not only because it is a natural for Cbus, but also because I had seen another Adult Hits station with that moniker. I guess I was just a couple years early…

I guess having Jack in town didn't stop them. But then iHM hasn't been shy about going up against established formats locally. They often have the signal advantage, and that's sure the case here (even though 103.9's Worthington signal isn't half bad). Glad to see this format on a big signal.

 

[xmusicmatt]

I guess having Jack in town didn't stop them. But then iHM hasn't been shy about going up against established formats locally. They often have the signal advantage, and that's sure the case here (even though 103.9's Worthington signal isn't half bad). Glad to see this format on a big signal.

I am not surprised at the competition against Jack. Look at them finally going against WCKX with the flip of 106.7 to The Beat the current iHM crew in Columbus seems very willing to knock at their competition with like formats.

103.9's signal isn't bad for a West Side Class A but the biggest problem is the canned Jack FM format. If NABCO programmed it locally like Radio One did (and did very well at it like R1 did) I am sure many radios in town would be tuned to 103.9.

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

Just remembered that Columbus' original Adult Hits station, 103.9 Ted-FM used "We Play Everything." So does the other "Bus", iHM's KDRB in Des Moines. Of course that's a fairly common moniker for an Adult Hits station.

Edit: Just now heard "We Play Anything." Make up your mind 93.3. Or maybe unpredictable positioners is part of the plan? LOL

 

[ARIESHEART]

How about adding a "Lite-FM" format? We need to bring back that format. Come on! I-Heart is known to play teaser formats. I am pretty sure an actual format change we be happening in the new year. Also scrap "Air 1" on 93.3-3(HD-3) and bring back the Smooth Jazz Radio Network on that channel. FYI!!! There are some Mainstream AC stations that still play some Christmas/Holiday tunes, at least one song per hour until the new year.

 

[xmusicmatt]

Also scrap "Air 1" on 93.3-3(HD-3)

I don't see that happening EMF and iHM are best friends for a number of reasons (iHM is using some of EMF's translators in other markets to create "FM" signals) but in Columbus that HD-3 signal is what is currently feeding 99.3 FM (since EMF can't feed direct via satellite due to it being in the commercial part of the FM Dial).