Meet the new WCLZ

2007 November 1
tags: ,
by Andrew

Only days after 93.9 FM switched to an automated, announcer-free blues playlist, WCLZ appears to have been taken over by Saga Communications/Portland Radio Group. Not much has changed so far.

It’s basically the same playlist (I’ve heard Death Cab, Feist, and Van Morrison over the past half hour). Their logo looks more like a radio station’s, less like that of a microbrew. Gone are the “You’re never more than 3 minutes away from the music” liners that would lead into commercial breaks. Apparently, the CD at noon is also gone, which is kind of a bummer, but they’ve kept the iPod Wedndesday bit, at least according to the website. Instead of Tad with his dry, Shatner-esque pauses, we have someone named “Rock” doing the 10-2 on-air slot.

I just hope they don’t get too much slicker – part of the unpretentious quality of WCLZ was that it didn’t sound like it was being run by sales staff, even if that meant it wasn’t always “perfect.”

9 Responses leave one →
  1. 2007 November 4
    john permalink

    Getting harder and harder to find a good station. Have gone through the WCLZ changes and, while still a favorite, miss the original nature. Been listening to WCYI to get my blues fix since WCLZ no longer provides it. Tonight, WCYI has major broadcast problems and no one to contact to fix it. Sign of the times (mine maybe). Still, I have to wonder when the advertisers will come to realize that their stats are the result of their own actions and that the real listeners don’t listen to the flavor of the day stations. Oh well…

  2. 2007 November 6

    I’m not pleased. CLZ was “different by design” remember. Now it’s the same to it’s detriment. I’m now moving around the dial again. The seek button is my friend. And forget about pausing for commercials. You’ve lost a consumer/listener.

  3. 2007 November 14

    Got to say I’m not too sure about the new format. I listen online while down in DC (wife is up in Maine and we’re trying to sell our place to both be up there). The CD at Noon was great and the unique blend of music was pretty good. Wondering about jazz on the weekend and all that other good stuff. Don’t change too much or you’ll lose the listeners you inherited. If everyone sounds the same then there’s no need to make a choice!

  4. 2008 February 18
    Paul permalink

    We absolutely love the new blues format. Would love to tell whoever that there is a big following for the new format.

  5. 2008 February 21
    ted permalink

    I agree with ck / ” it ain’t the same clz ” / going the way of cookie cutter fm radio / I used to brag about the variety but got to the point that I couldn’t stand to listen to any more clz due to Guster overload / they have lost my vote / if I had some $, I would buy wcyi and leave the format alone / go Delbert !!!!!!!!!

  6. 2008 March 3

    As a British broadcaster who spent a lot of time in Maine many moons ago and enjoyed listening to WCLZ, try my podcast.

    http://www.wolfmountains.podomatic.com

    You might find you like some, if not all of it. You can also see playlists at http://www.myspace.com/wolfmountains

    Commercial free too!

    All the best to all ‘Mainers’!

    Wolf

  7. 2008 March 3

    As a British broadcaster who spent a lot of time in Maine many moons ago and enjoyed listening to WCLZ, try my podcast.

    http://www.wolfmountains.podomatic.com

    You might find you like some, if not all of it. You can also see playlists at http://www.myspace.com/wolfmountains

    Commercial free too!

    All the best to all ‘Mainers’!

    Wolf

  8. 2008 June 12
    george jones permalink

    where the hell is opie and anthony???????????????????????????????A great show gone from the dull and boring morning radio listening!!

  9. 2008 June 12
    george jones permalink

    PS: the light SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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