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WCOJ goes dark at Midnight Oct. 1st

H

Harnett

Guest
I know WCOJ is to the west of Philly... but this is the place to mention WCOJ was sold to the Catholic church, it goes dark at Midnight tonight, and returns Monday with their religeous format.

They had some good talent over the years... I don't know the numbers... but I do know that ownership turned down close to one million a few years back.

I spent two years there and I totally enjoyed Robert Henson, Bramley, Bill Mason, McNeil, Joe Thomas, and John Aberle. Mike Crossman and Ken were easy to work for as well.

So a drink to a good station... and a drink to the people who worked there.
 
How are those 20 listeners now going to hear Phillies postseason baseball, or Dave Ramsey?

Does anyone have audio of the station's final moments?

FYI - their website is business as usual:
http://www.wcoj.com/

But their webstream is offline...
 
This really sucks. REALLY SUCKS. I moved to the area about 6 years ago and got to like some of the formatting and shows. Now it is all gone and replaced by 24/7 religious programming? Who the hell listens to that. Then, for upper management to throw everyone out in todays economic struggles is ethically challenging. I know COJ was alway cheap so I am even curious to learn if they even gave anyone severance packages. I will miss the swap shop -- I liked it b/c it was very community focused and just fun to listen to. I will miss the BIG SHOW. I also liked the programming on Saturday mornings to an extent, minus a couple of them.
 
downingtown said:
This really sucks. REALLY SUCKS... for upper management to throw everyone out in todays economic struggles is ethically challenging. I know COJ was alway cheap so I am even curious to learn if they even gave anyone severance packages... I will miss the BIG SHOW. I also liked the programming on Saturday mornings to an extent, minus a couple of them.
Click to expand...

Mr. Henson, is that you? ::)
 
harnet. or (anyone else who would know.)im not from pa so i never listened to wcoj. i just want to know.in the names of employess you have the name bramley. what is his/her first name?what did he/she do on the station.was he/she an on air talent or off air.also do you know if he/she is going to another station.

thank you.
 
This is another unfortunate loss for hometown radio. The morning guy, J.T. had proven himself as being pretty capable in his year on the air. Pretty good for a novice. I feel bad for him. Henson we can still do without and is no doubt already back in theauto repair biz.

Perhaps the new owners will agressively defend the frequency from the encroaching Spanish station in the DC market, something the prior owners showed they were not interested in getting involved with. WCOJ is commonly hammered by this station in the am and pm drive hours within just a few miles of downtown West Chester. I hope the Cathlolic broadcast group is aware of this situation and is willing to fight to defend the frequency [EDIT]



[EDIT-offensive content]
 
Another sad day in radio...as i'll be mourning the loss of another AM radio station in my black drag outfit all weekend long.
 
I agree its a sad day. I guess the same group bought WBUD in Trenton. My son just moved to Thorndale last Saturday and not having Cable I turned to an old AM radio to listen to the phillies game reception of 1210 was terrable (can't belive it's a 50K station) but 1420 WCOJ came booming in. I listened to the end of the game on my way back home instead of WPHT without that IBOC restrictions and though I'd listen again when I was in the area. I am not against "Catholic" broadcast but when I heard how much money was paid to purchase WBUD and WCOJ I am not a happy camper. I see my parish struggling to keep up it's level of service cutting masses etc. and for them to overpriced AM radio stations is crazy!!
 
Rumor has it...

Henson did his last show on Tuesday night after being let go and made the announcement to the public that it would be his last show and that the station was sold. A friend told me the studio line was flooded with calls for all three hours of Henson's show, as JC Morganny (the morning guy) and Ron McNeil (host of the swap stop) joined him in studio.

A source from the station told me the employees were all released at 3pm, there were nine full-time employees, only one of them was kept.

I also asked some people about moving over to BrandywineRadio.com, the person I spoke with laughed when I asked that... so I guess that was false.
 
brams22 said:
harnet. or (anyone else who would know.)im not from pa so i never listened to wcoj. i just want to know.in the names of employess you have the name bramley. what is his/her first name?what did he/she do on the station.was he/she an on air talent or off air.also do you know if he/she is going to another station.

thank you.
Click to expand...

Bill Bramley was in sales and did some voice work. I can tell you that the phones were full on the last show... I tried to call in to Robert Henson but it was busy the entire last hour. He was on the air till 7:00 p.m. with JT Morgan. I did not hear Ron McNeil on the air.
I agree with many of you who say they are saddened by the loss of another small town AM. I think the creative side of radio is taking place on the AM band.

To the poster who questioned the Catholic Church buying stations across the U.S. I agree. And come to think of it... I couldn't compete with Clear Channel when I tried to buy a small AM in Central PA... and I KNOW I don't have the pockets to try and out bid the church. As a broadcaster, I can not compete with any of the players out there.
Tell you what church, I promise I will not buy any old Masters oil paintings... if you'll promise not to bid against me on a small AM in Central PA.

I hear the new call in number at WCOJ is Ecum Spiri Two Two O....

Thanks and good night!
 
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