| Type | Radio network |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Availability | National, through small, mid-sized, large, and major media market affiliates. |
| Founded | by Scott Shannon and ABC Radio |
| Owner | Cumulus Media Networks (through Cumulus Media) |
| Launch date | April 1, 2004 |
| Official website | http://www.trueoldieschannel.com |
The True Oldies Channel is a syndicated radio programming stream begun in the spring of 2004, hosted by American radio personality Scott Shannon. Distributed by Cumulus Media Networks (formerly Citadel Media and ABC Radio Networks) (through Cumulus Media) via satellite, the service plays an oldies format comprising music mostly from 1964 to 1979 but also plays selected cuts from the 1955-1963 era and also from the 1980s. The Channel is now leaning towards classic hits.
The service currently has over 60 affiliate stations across the United States. The service is available 24 hours a day. Some stations run the format full-time 24/7 while a few others run it on overnights only. Many member stations, however, generally break away from the program feed at some points during the day to air some local programming, either a local morning show, a local afternoon show, or both. A few even air Imus in the Morning.
Contents |
Initially, the True Oldies Channel featured only music from 1955 to 1969 with less than ten percent from 1970 to 1973 (for example "Tears of a Clown" and "Burning Love"). The format was 60% 1964 to 1969 and 40% 1955 to 1963. By 2005, oldies from the early 1970s were added in moderation, while the pre 1964 material was cut back slightly. In 2006, more late 1970s music was added and the pre 1964 product was cut down to 2 or 3 songs per hour. In March 2008, the pre 1964 product was cut down to one per hour during the day and twice an hour on overnights and the hits from the late 1960s and early to mid 1970s was played in equal amounts. A few 1980s cuts were also added.
On July 7, 2008, The True Oldies Channel further modified its format, dropping all but a couple pre 1964 titles and added a large amount of music from the 1980s, playing a couple per hour. The format was then more of a Classic Hits format and was oldies in name only. This change was very short lived and by the end of July they backed off the 1980s music and by August most 1980s' music was gone. A moderate amount of pre 1964 material was also reinstated.
It was the network's original mission to avoid the trends of other oldies outlets and remain committed to the music produced from the beginning of the rock-and-roll era to the disco era (1955 to 1979), purposefully drawing the line of what they would never air at 1980. However, as with any rule, it is meant to be broken, as one can occasionally hear songs such as "Take Me Home Tonight" by Eddie Money from 1986 and "Into the Night" by Benny Mardones (1980) on the network, albeit sparingly. The network now focuses its branding on variety, admitting they too have followed trends toward newer music, but also making sure to retain some of the older music that most oldies stations have abandoned. The majority of the network's programming remains 1960s music, with 1970s music more prominent than it was in the beginning. 1950s and 1980s music are currently played sporadically, less than once an hour.
The True Oldies format is experiencing significant growth in exposure following cost-cutting measures across Citadel's payroll. Lower performing stations owned by Citadel Broadcasting, such as WYAY Atlanta, are being switched over to True Oldies, sometimes with Imus in the Morning as the morning show. WLS-FM Chicago, however, only runs True Oldies Channel overnights and weekends with a similar local oldies format weekdays.
February 4, 2007
1 p.m. hour
4 a.m. hour
11 a.m. hour
12 p.m. hour
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