Jack off

Well, sorta. WCBS-FM is back to its oldies format, replacing the controversial Jack format that I actually liked. I did wish I did hear the final minutes of the format, which involved cutting off Journey's "Don't Stop Believing," stealing from the final scene of The Sopranos.

Both stations still lived on even when the format switch took place a couple of years ago, and something similar is happening here. The oldies format, which now has some on-air personalities, takes over the main airwaves, while Jack is now on WCBS's HD feed (where the oldies were, sans DJs) and can be heard here.

While there are plenty of people jumping over to satellite radio, there is still something to be said for local terrestrial radio, especially one that still seems to connect with listeners. WCBS' oldies format still clicks in the New York area, even though its core audience isn't recommending Nuts and Gum together at last. However, there are some concessions to the Jack days, as there is a smattering of '80s music with the '60s and '70s stuff (although the '50s and early '60s stuff is close to nonexistent now).

The Jack format is definitely a demographically driven format in that it captures me, square in that Nuts and Gum age group. And I really can see why some radio critics called it oldies for a new generation given the heavy '70s and '80s rock playlist but also a lot of '90s and '00s music, along with enough randomness to pretend it's "like your iPod on shuffle." So I'll miss it on the regular radio, at least a little.

It is interesting that within the past year, two New York stations have in fact restored their old format. Before WCBS returned as an oldies station, 92.3 returned to its K-Rock format, ditching the "hot talk" format that I've never really seen work anywhere. I guess K-Rock will pick up a bit more of the recent rock stuff that Jack has (a secondary feed is more "alternative"), while I'll have to jump to the classic rock station for that stuff now.

Unfortunately, it may be asking too much for WNEW-FM (where rock lives) to be resurrected. The numerous formats has been hard to track. It's currently Fresh FM -- young adult contemporary might be the best description. There was the recent '70s-'80s dance hits format, all-Christmas, etc. Now there's an example why people jump to satellite.