580 CKWW sold to owner of 102.3 CINA-FM

[MWmetalhead]

This doesn't surprise me in the least; I figured CKWW was most likely to be sold to a foreign language broadcaster.

He is acquiring CKWW plus two AMs in Hamilton for less than $450k in total.

Both Hamilton stations deliver strong signals to the GTA.

If this doesn't prove the AM band is on death's doorstep as a mainstream broadcasting medium, nothing will.

https://radioinsight.com/headlines/2612 ... n-windsor/

[SBaxley]

and another piece of radio history rides off into the sunset ..

[Ben Zonia]

There are quite a few good 60s 70s Oldies stations on the internet that are close to what you listen there for, without all the obscure CanCon. Since they will probably go foreign language on 580 anyway, I mention these. If you want a recommmendation, send a PM. I don't want to overload a small town internet stream with big town listenership, just serious Oldies fans.

[rugratsonline]

There are quite a few good 60s 70s Oldies stations on the internet that are close to what you listen there for, without all the obscure CanCon.

Though on the other hand, obscure Cancon was what made stations such as CKWW interesting.

[Deleted User 16093]

So it's going to be Asian programing, interesting.

[Ben Zonia]

There are quite a few good 60s 70s Oldies stations on the internet that are close to what you listen there for, without all the obscure CanCon.

Though on the other hand, obscure Cancon was what made stations such as CKWW interesting.

Depends on the track. There's one they were playing recorded from a 45 that was slightly decentered. The effective RPM variations made a good song sound bad. Some tracks are horrible.

[Marcus]

The meeting is in nine days. The deadline for comments and interventions was December 18 2023.

https://crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2023/202 ... 329150#bm3

[Deleted User 16173]

So at the point of the new ownership, CKWW would have to remain Oldies?

[Marcus]

It might be Oldies at first, but I can see him gradually phasing in Ethnic Programming as time goes by. The Southern Ontario board has been discussing the future of the radio stations.

https://gta.boardhost.com/viewtopic.php?id=10966

[edj]

Just because Ray says he’s keeping oldies on CKWW doesn’t make that permanent. He could always apply to amend the license in the future. My guess would be- if he could (I’m not an expert on CRTC rules), he would make CINA 100% Arabic and push the other languages- which as of now are required to air on CINA- to 580.

I believe CKWW is required to air so much news. As of now that’s filled in the mornings by a recorded CKLW reporter. This would require Ray to hire a staffer to broadcast news, or use a CINA employee to “rip and read”. I’m not sure if CINA airs news, and if they do, in what language.

The towers and land will still be owned by Bell. Depending on the contract, Ray could be forced off with enough notice. That would require finding an alternate site and thus, $$$.

Terrestrial oldies fans, at least those in the northern portion of Metro Detroit, could shift to WPON. I’ve noticed Sima is very slowly sprinkling in some late 60s and early 70s tunes to the playlist during non brokered hours. 580 is also slowly sprinkling in early 80s tunes. I heard Edge of Seventeen a few weeks ago.

The Hamilton stations will probably target Toronto. I can’t imagine both comedy and business news lasting for long. Funny 820 was a nice change of pace in small doses. These stations also don’t include land or towers, so the same scenario may apply as CKWW.

[Deleted User 16173]

Just because Ray says he’s keeping oldies on CKWW doesn’t make that permanent. He could always apply to amend the license in the future. My guess would be- if he could (I’m not an expert on CRTC rules), he would make CINA 100% Arabic and push the other languages- which as of now are required to air on CINA- to 580.

I believe CKWW is required to air so much news. As of now that’s filled in the mornings by a recorded CKLW reporter. This would require Ray to hire a staffer to broadcast news, or use a CINA employee to “rip and read”. I’m not sure if CINA airs news, and if they do, in what language.

The towers and land will still be owned by Bell. Depending on the contract, Ray could be forced off with enough notice. That would require finding an alternate site and thus, $$$.

Terrestrial oldies fans, at least those in the northern portion of Metro Detroit, could shift to WPON. I’ve noticed Sima is very slowly sprinkling in some late 60s and early 70s tunes to the playlist during non brokered hours. 580 is also slowly sprinkling in early 80s tunes. I heard Edge of Seventeen a few weeks ago.

The Hamilton stations will probably target Toronto. I can’t imagine both comedy and business news lasting for long. Funny 820 was a nice change of pace in small doses. These stations also don’t include land or towers, so the same scenario may apply as CKWW.

580 has always touched on 80’s, even back in the Charlie O’Brian days. WPON’s signal has a lot of issues in Macomb County, Northern Macomb in some areas WPON is not audible. If you want Oldies install an app. Terrestrial Radio sucks for the older demographic, most of my friends have iHeart or Online Radio Box for our Oldies fix.

[Steve79]

Any updates on to when they switch hands?

[Marcus]

It looks like the work is in progress.

https://www.milkmanunlimited.com/post/r ... ns-ontario

I'd guess that any big changes to the radio stations will be made sometime in April.

[ChrisWL1980]

CKLW was a popular music station into the early '80s so it doesn't surprise me that the CKWW format has included some early '80s. During the first attempt at a "Big 8" style oldies revival on 93.9 in the late '80s, they played Whitney Houston.
As for WPON, I have heard them play songs as recent as "Love Will Lead You Back" by Taylor Dayne, from 1990. Which when you consider that their format also includes Rosemary Clooney, Teresa Brewer and other popular pre-rock stars, is quite interesting to consider.

[edj]

With CINA having a sales office in Dearborn, I would guess Ray is looking for sellers on both sides of the border. It’s worth a shot especially if you base salaries mostly on commissions.
Windsor also needs a newscaster but not Hamilton. Perhaps he has a Toronto staffer to cover the latter?