Reader writes Infinity CEO Joel Hollander, copies RBR
Dear Mr. Hollander:
As a long time, very loyal listener of WCBS-FM, the format change to "jack-fm" has been extremely disturbing to me. To want to have "jack" as a format on an Infinity station in New York is an understandable goal for Infinity. Trends, and formats do change over time, and I do understand the need to maintain profitability for the Corporation.
However, as I and others have pointed out, Infinity had several other, less popular stations on which to place the "jack" format. Reasoning that "jack" would draw listeners away from WCBS-FM holds very little credence, as the fans of WCBS-FM are not likely to be interested in a format which plays (in my humble opinion) a mishmash of music, much of it music which "oldies" fans would not wish to listen to under any circumstance, and minus the ON AIR-PERSONALITIES which make New York radio unique and different from stations in ANY other market.
Having said this, I would like to turn my attention to comments made by you in an interview which was published in the Chicago Sun-Times Newspaper.
First, let me state that you have my total sympathy and condolences for the tragic loss of your child. I am a parent, and I can only try to imagine the deep and lifelong lasting hurt that accompanies the passing of a child. For anyone to say that they "understand" or "know" what you have felt, and are feeling, without having gone through the same circumstances is ridiculous. I would never disrespect you or your family by making comparisons to this tragic event.
But, I must take issue with the argument that we listeners are "mixing emotion and business", and that we are going too far in our sentiments that we "loved" the station, the format, and the personalities.
Mr. Hollander, I believe you are guilty of a serious lack of understanding of the relationship that listeners have with the on-air personalities, AND the music that they choose to listen to. Many of us have had WCBS-FM on since the inception of the format here in New York. We also fondly remember the magical days of WABC-AM, WINS-AM, WMCA-AM, and some of the local stations that made the music of WCBS-FM such a vital part of our lives. When I had WCBS-FM on, it was for hours on end, at work, in my car, in my home, at picnics, etc. When you invite people into your lives for long periods of time, they DO become your friends, even when you have not met them in person, and may have only spoken to them briefly at an appearance, or on the phone when calling in a request or entering a contest.
The music that is now lost to me was also a "friend". It accompanied me during the most important times of my life. WCBS-FM was playing in my home the day I married; In the car, rushing to the hospital when my children were born; When my Father passed, WCBS-FM was my companion to and from the hospital, and kept me company late at night while awaiting word from the doctors. The music touches deep emotions in me, happy emotions, sad emotions, the whole range is touched. This connection with the music is gone now.
I agree with you; losing the radio station cannot and should not be compared with the loss of a child. It can, however be compared with the loss of a very dear, longtime friend. There is now an emptiness in my life, and a feeling in the pit of my stomach which I feel when a friend or acquaintance passes on. It has been a full month since you "killed" my friend, my longtime companion, and the feeling is NOT going away, and it will not go away. I miss my music, I miss my friends, I miss my station.
Mr. Hollander, I do not wish you any ill will. I do not hope for bad things to happen to you, as that only feeds the negative, and I prefer to be a positive person. However, I want you to understand that YOU have deeply HURT myself, and hundreds of thousands of other loyal WCBS-FM listeners. And it is a hurt that will not go away, and which will not be forgotten.
I am only one person, and in the New York radio marketplace, that doesn't mean much. But, it should mean something to you, because I am representative of many others who feel as I do. And, while there isn't much any of us can do as individuals that can have an impact on you, and your decision, there are some things that I WILL do;
I no longer listen to ANY Infinity station. This is difficult for me, as my other favorite station was WCBS-AM. I no longer have this as a pre-set in my car, and while I miss the Yankee games particularly, I do have principles, and I will stand by them. I no longer patronize any of the local sponsors who are supporting "jack-fm". Fortunately, a list is posted with some regularity on the New York Radio Message Board. In addition to not patronizing these sponsors, I have written letters to each of them informing them of my displeasure of their support for "jack-fm". I have also encouraged all of my friends, business associates, family, and E-Mail friends to act accordingly.
I will continue to express my displeasure and my hurt to you, to Mr. Moonves, to Mr. Brown, and to anyone at Infinity that I can possibly contact. If you think that this will quietly fade away, you are making a serious mis-judgement.
Mr. Hollander, please take a few moments to consider the actions that you and others at Infinity have taken. You have very callously taken away what many hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers consider to be a dear and valued friend. It isn't about whether we dislike "jack" or not - as stated, I understand your desire to bring this format to New York. But in bringing this here, you took away the ONLY station in this market that carried a format near and dear to our hearts. There must be a way for Infinity to restore this institution - and get hurrahs and cheers, and terrific POSITIVE publicity for doing so (as opposed to continually getting negative press, and having to put up with people like me, who are NOT going away!).
And, please, do not try to appease me with tales of WCBS-FM "streaming on the internet". I do not have an internet capable radio in my car; I do not have an internet capable radio to take to the beach; I do not have an internet capable radio to bring out to my backyard to listen to while I relax in my pool. And as for "HD Radio", well, please, $300 for something which may or may not happen? I don't think so. You are giving the loyal WCBS-FM listeners NO viable options!
Oh, yes, one last point - I happen to be IN the precious 25-54 demographic that you so cherish. I purchase many more things than "craft-matic beds" as Mr. Brown so dismissively said. I DID patronize your advertisers, and took advantage of WCBS-FM "specials" at those advertisers. I also have two sons, ages 17 and 21, both of whom tend to listen to other types of music, but both of whom grew up with "Cousin Brucie" on Saturday nights. They have each asked me why this happened, why this "crazy guy" they liked to listen to is no longer on the radio. So I would venture to you that you've probably touched people well in AND under the "aging boomers" that you seem to have rejected as listeners.
Thank you for taking the time to read this; hopefully you will thoughtfully re-consider what you have done and do what is in your power to do - restore WCBS-FM as expeditiously as possible.
Yours truly,
Paul Blake
Are you reading this from a forwarded email?
