Losing WODS is a big deal with listeners

CBS Radio/Boston’s Classic Hits/Oldies WODS-FM flipped to the company’s CHR AMP format on Thursday, 6/28 at noon. Since then, RBR-TVBR has been barraged with comments—mostly against the move—from readers. They get downright mean! Also, there is a petition now to bring WODS back. [click here]

Here are just a few comments:

“103.3 AMP Radio will be programmed for listeners who love pop, pop rhythm, and dance music. Artists such as Rihanna, Usher, Maroon 5, Pitbull, Flo Rida, Katy Perry, and Nicki Minaj to name a few will be featured on the station.”

In other words, it’ll sound exactly the same as every other pop radio station in Boston. How is this a good thing for listeners?

“This the 2nd time in less than a year that my one of my favorite radio stations has changed format. (MIKE FM back in Sept.) STOP THE MADNESS!!!!”

“We already have this format in Boston – KISS 108 and Jamn 94.5. Tragic.”

“What a down right shame!!! We NEED an oldies station in boston and WODS was the one! I will miss the morning crew especially….BAD MOVE :(“

“I only listen to your station because of the music from the 60′s, 70′s, and 80′s. Like others have said, Boston doesn’t need yet another station playing the same old thing. I’ll be looking for another station!”

“I didn’t know about the switch and thought something was wrong with my radio. I have listened to WODS for the entire 25 years. What a shock and great disappointment. On line listening doesn’t work for me. We need a feel good station like the oldies on WODS gave us. Terrible decision on someone’s part. Hope your ratings take a dive to teach you that “what ain’t broke doesn’t need to be fixed”

“I fail to see the reasoning behind this. In addition to the other stations mentioned, you have the crappy Mix 104.1 right next door to this station on the dial. Just more message-less drivel to cater to the mouth breathers I guess. A shame.”

“Thank God We will still have Classic Hits 100.7.Hope nobody listens to your new format.”

“CBS Radio: Keep the Classic Hits/Oldies format on 103.3 WODS in Boston!! Sign the petition…..

WODS has been a Classic Hits/Oldies station in Boston for the past 25 years and we want to keep them from flipping the format to Top 40 103.3 AMP and to save all the current DJ’s who make this station great employed.

http://www.change.org/petitions/cbs-radio-keep-the-classic-hits-oldies-format-on-103-3-wods-in-boston

WODS has been a Classic Hits/Oldies station in Boston for the past 25 years and we want to keep it that way!”

See the rest of the comments at the bottom of the original article.

RBR-TVBR observation: One RBR-TVBR reader said it best: “CBS Radio planned this change for several months. WODS was top-10 overall but 12th among 25-54. Most likely WODS skewed old, say, 45+. Advertisers will not put their ads on a music station that skews old.” This is why the move was made—along with the fact that CHR is one hot format right now. But really, with a following like this, CBS Radio could have relied more on local and still made it work. Perhaps bringing back the station could be a good move—both for ratings and with local sponsors, given this kind of outpouring.