Four EZ ROCKS in Northern Ontario rebranded to KISS FM

[Dan Sys]

As expected Rogers has rebranded all four of their EZ ROCK stations in Northern Ontario to KISS FM today. The new brandings are more reflective of the Hot AC format aired on the four stations.

The stations are:
CHUR - 100.5 - North Bay
http://www.kissnorthbay.com/

CHAS - 100.5 - Sault Ste. Marie
http://www.kisssoo.com/

CJMX 105.3 - Sudbury
http://www.kisssudbury.com/

CKGB - 99.3 - Timmins
http://www.kisstimmins.com/

 

[e-dawg]

Mr. Venta notes in a new update to his earlier post (at http://radioinsight.com/blog/headli...ers-preparing-to-rebrand-four-ontario-ezrocks) that something similar may be in the cards for Rogers-operated WLYK.

A related press release regarding the change in Sault Ste. Marie may be at http://www.sootoday.com/content/news/details.asp?c=60943 and http://www.local2.ca/ssm/viewarticle.php?id=12533.

Speaking of WLYK 102.7 THE LAKE. Since Rogers control this station, do they still have to play CANCON music? Even this station license in the US? I notice some of the songs on the playlist aren't hits in United States.

 

[spunker88]

Speaking of WLYK 102.7 THE LAKE. Since Rogers control this station, do they still have to play CANCON music? Even this station license in the US? I notice some of the songs on the playlist aren't hits in United States.

No they are technically a US station so CRTC rules do not apply to them. If they are playing Canadian only music then its probably because they cater to the Kingston market. All of the advertising is for Kingston on this station these days, back when they ran the Border CHR format with 106.7 there was advertising for both Watertown and Kingston if I recall. It would make sense for WLYK to get renamed since the still have the Lake name from back when they played older music.

 

[mjlarochelle2]

No they are technically a US station so CRTC rules do not apply to them. If they are playing Canadian only music then its probably because they cater to the Kingston market. All of the advertising is for Kingston on this station these days, back when they ran the Border CHR format with 106.7 there was advertising for both Watertown and Kingston if I recall. It would make sense for WLYK to get renamed since the still have the Lake name from back when they played older music.

Your prophecy has come true: as of September 12, WLYK is now known as Kiss 102.7, using the same logo as Kiss 92.5 in Toronto.

 

[Yeziknoradio]

...which hints to me cookie cutter Music department. A Playlist from another Canadian Kiss station so they don't have to hire an American MD perhaps...

 

[Mikon8er]

I really wish these companies would do more to offer a station with branding and programming locally relevant to the community in question. Having live and local personalities is certainly a good thing, but what bothers me is the amount of cookie cutter logos, branding, and music playlists across the board. What is it that makes these companies so afraid of venturing outside the bubble and making something more relevant to the communities that they serve? I know that music is one of those universal forces that go out everywhere and spread out in all directions, but why does a radio station up in Sudbury have to sound so similar to a radio station in Toronto?

When I was a little kid up at my old cottage in the late 1990s and early 2000s, an endeavor like this would have never happened. Radio stations out in rural areas in Canada back then used to be so distinctive and ambitious with regards to the music that they played, even though it may not have been all my style.

 

[ELL383]

102.7 WLYK is programed in Kingston it has its own music director. The Kiss-fm is branded from rogers. The other new Kiss stations are
Hot-AC Kiss Kingston is A true Canadian CHR. The strong Cancon on WLYK is 1. they use the Rogers music servers 2. They compete with Canadian Stations so they want to sound as Canadian as possible so people and advertisers think it's a local Kingston station. Back when 102.7 started as WBDR they to played strong Cancon by choice only.