The Infinite Dial

New York did it with the no longer Fresh 102.7 and you can hear how BOOOOORRRING THAT WORTHLESS FORMAT HAS BECOME!!!!!

Upgrade to Now 97.5? HELL NO!!!!

Philly radio deserves BETTER!!!

BRING BACK SMOOTH JAZZ 97.5 NOW!!!

Though there is much to comment about on this move from an on-air programming perspective, and I'm sure many will, what about taking advantage of what the "online" world offers.

If "younger" is the target it would probably be good to have a website and some online strategy and social presence from day one (Now). As of 9:00am EST, 24 hours after launch, no site and only an out of date letter of explanation (or is that apology?) on the WJJZ site.

We can do better than this. I know Greater Media can.

I will miss the jazz music, I hope you will continue to have sean with traffic. Otherwise I will hve to find another station.

HORRIBLE DECISION.

SMMOTH JAZZ WAS THE ONLY ONE OF ITS KIND IN PHILADELPHIA.

NOW WE HAVE 2 SOFT ROCK BORING STATIONS.

IT SEEMS TO ME THERE IS NO WAY 97.5 INCREASES IT RATINGSFROM SMOOTH JAZZ FORMAT.

I've been traveling the last 2 weeks and was shocked to have my morning music alarm not be smooth jazz. I was thrilled when it moved to 97.5 but I'm looking for jazz music, not "younger soft rock". Please bring it back or let the market know where to find the Jazz...

Not again! There is intrinsically something wrong in a city and metro area with so many universities...and home to companies that require a mature educated workforce to beleive that music from the 90's is the way to go! Who are these marketing people for the radios stations........and what do they want? Seems they are the ones who need to be replaced! The advertisers on WJJZ had gotten to be the pitts...There has to be not only lsiteners for the Jazz format but viable advertisers for this interest group...but hey..!! Split the money form the young entry level jobs as many ways as you can...I am taking my money to PBS and satellite!

Phil Wilson, there WAS a web site on day one. They even had a message board. Unfortunately, they began it badly by planting obviously fake listener messages all over it. Postings time stamped Sunday claimed Now 97.5 was already their "favorite radio station," even though the format didn't debut until 9am Monday.

Naturally, when the radio geeks caught on to the message board on Now's new site, it filled up with lots of cyber graffiti in a hurry. You probably checked the web site while it was being cleaned up from the vandalism the night before.

There is something that's worse than not having a current web site, and that is having a web site that's designed to deceive. Not a great way to endear yourself to new listeners.

I cannot believe that smooth jazz 97.5 is off the air AGAIN in Philadelphia! This is outrageous that this choice has been removed from the airwaves. It is the only radio station I listen to--I guess I will be listening to my jazz CDs from now on in the car.
We don't need another rock station--bring the jazz back!

It was great to find smooth jazz had been brought back to the Phialadelphia area recently, only to be crushed on Monday to see it go and another station playing the same music everyone else plays in it's place. You would think in a market like this one the listeners would have some choices.

97 Now claims to have a fresh approach, the only thing fresh about them is that they've stolen the monikers of the B101 format. How many radio stations do we need to play Cher, If I could turn back Time etc. Greater Media already has Ben-Fm 95.7 which plays the same type, they just mix it different and what about WMGK 102.9 focus on the 25-54 adults. So I guess that 97.5 NOW is going to appeal to the Diaper Derby to 24 Club. Maybe it will appeal to my 8 yr. old......I doubt it, she's hooked on the Disney station. They have insulted the intelligence of the radio listeners. Smooth Jazz will be back again, somewhere, somehow, of that I'm sure......

97 Now claims to have a fresh approach, the only thing fresh about them is that they've stolen the monikers of the B101 format. How many radio stations do we need to play Cher, If I could turn back Time etc. Greater Media already has Ben-Fm 95.7 which plays the same type, they just mix it different and what about WMGK 102.9 focus on the 25-54 adults. So I guess that 97.5 NOW is going to appeal to the Diaper Derby to 24 Club. Maybe it will appeal to my 8 yr. old......I doubt it, she's hooked on the Disney station. They have insulted the intelligence of the radio listeners. Smooth Jazz will be back again, somewhere, somehow, of that I'm sure......

How could they do it yet AGAIN!! WJJZ Smooth Jazz was the best station on the radio. How could the a city as culturally diverse as Phila NOT have a Jazz station. I feel so sorry for Michael Tozzi and his crew. They did a wonderful job. With the new format we have just one more horrible station to NOT listen to. What were you thinking. PLEASE someone, bring back Smooth Jazz to Phila. I'm now listening to NPR, my family and I want Smooth Jazz back!

No, No, No... Say it isn't so!!!
What happened to WJJZ, AGAIN?
Smooth JAZZ is why I listen to the Radio.
Philly has to get JAZZ onto a new station... this is killing me!
The new programming lost another listener... Very SAD.

Soft rock? Give me a break! That kind of music can be found on way too many stations in the Philadelphia area. What brought me to 97.5 in the first place was the quality and variety of the programming, followed by the broadcast teams. All will be greatly missed.

And for the marketing gurus who discount this segment of the listenting public? For this listener there is absolutely no reason now to program my radio to 97.5.

BRING BACK 97.5 (SMOOTH JAZZ) what a mistake taking it off the air. Where can we find another jazz station????????????

Philly radio is just horrible, Smooth Jazz was the most original station out there (aside from 'XPN, and college radio). All these stations play the same stuff. Like 'MMR and 'YSP, they play the same 40 songs every day. i just don't get it. How can people listen to the same tired tunes. thank the good lord for my ipod. it always has roughly 1000 songs, and i update it weekly. it's wonderful, now i can listen to Yes, George Benson, Link Wray, ie: all the good music that radio does not acknowledge.

I was most disappointed to turn on the radio and find my jazz gone. First and foremost, there is now no other way to hear jazz on the radio in this area, which makes me very sad. Secondly, the new station, while it claims to be a "younger" approach, is playing music from an era before most of the younger folk were even listening to music. A third criticism is that it isn't really a different approach at all from what is already being played on more than one other station in the area. And finally, it seems that the station doesn't really know what market it wants,since I'm hearing a gamut of musical styles that don't really fit my concept of rock music.

I won't be listening to 97.5. I only wish I could listen to jazz again. Maybe I'll just stick with NPR and talk radio for a while.

I am very disappointed to learn that smooth jazz is off the air again. Are they going to move to another station? This is ridiculous!! That was the best station for those who don't want to hear soft rock. This was a terrible decision. I am very disappointed!!!!!

We have yet another BORING soft rock station???!!! What is on the minds of the people making these ridiculous decisions? I want to listen to Jazz, I don't want to listen to rock...soft or otherwise. It's always good to have CHOICES, but the philly market's choices just became a lot narrower....I cannot believe this has happened yet again!! I'm very dissappointed....

I am really disappointed that you changed the format of your station. Now I am searching for a jazz station for my 8 year old autist son to listen to. We enjoyed the jazz station and it is hard for him to fall asleep to this soft rock station. He has probles sleeping and often listens to the jazz during the night and would often turn the radio way up loud to the music. Please tell me where to locate another station that just plays jazz because you lost us as customers.

The new format is still yet ANOTHER bonehead corporate radio decision. This is another blatant example of sucking up to the sponsors to sell some junk to the listeners. Radio and music belong to the people, not some suit who does not know a dang thing about creating an exceptional station. Prediction...NOW 97.5 will crash and burn in less than one year. If it lasts longer, then it will have one lame bunch of listeners who do not know what a radio staion is supposed to play. Bring back the JAZZ...NOW!!!

I have been a smooth jazz listener for years, I was upset the first time WJJZ was off the air. Now again this is not right I do not know what Greater Media was thinking but we do not need another radio station like NOW 97.5 Their are alot of stations like that in Philly now and we do not need another. I hope smooth jazz comes back to Philly. I will miss you guys at WJJZ.

it was upsetting for me to turn on the radio and hear the new format. what are you people thinking? do you actually care about your listners or about the dollars...i know; dumb question.. if your ratings were down thats because some listners have yet to discover your radio address from your last switch. bring back and keep smooth jazz....smooth jazz is meditation for our mental during these stressful economic times...please reconsider your choice..

Im sorry to inform you all, but Philadelphia is only becoming more young. I hate to hear that jazz is no longer a no go in the are AGAIN but it had to happen. The station was honestly just becoming obsolete in time. What Philly really needs is a new hip CHR dance format....no stupi hiphop/top40 and definately no rock stations like 94 and 93! Bring the danccccccccce back what the hell?!?!?! Sorry jazz lovers, get with the program! Or get out of Philadelphia, becuz cosmo's, neon lights and socialites is what its about these days in the 215. Sorry =[

PLEASE BRING SMOOTH JAZZ - 97.5 BACK!!!!

so sad, NYC lost their only jazz station after 20 yrs(CD101.9)earlier this year for this same reason and now Philly. No more radio for me-I'm done!

NOT AGAIN ...GIVE ME BACK SMOOTH JAZZ. I LIVE IN MY CAR MOST DAYS ,ITS LILE TH PASSING OF A GOOD FRIEND....

I often will be in my car for 2 to 3 hrs. a day and always listened to WJJZ. My hopes are that someone else will pick up the same format. It was the "BEST" station.

Time to buy a Sirius system and listen to channel 71; smooth jazz all the time. 90.1 plays 'classical' jazz, but I can only take so many xylophones, and they despised jjz. Guitar-oriented instrumentals like 'Love Will Follow' are just the best.

I am sooo disappointed that Philadelphia has once again lost the premier jazz station for this area, Smooth Jazz. I can only hope that all of the Smooth Jazz listeners will once again band together and make our voices heard. I miss not being able to choose a mellow, relaxing station to help me unwind after a stressful day. PLEASE GREATER MEDIA, BRING BACK WHAT YOU DID BEST!!

Greater Media has made a horrible choice in removing WJJZ from the airwaves of Philadelphia.
They should definite reevalute the decision as everyone can see from the comments above the Smooth Jazz of Philadelphia is greatly missed and desperately needed. Greater Media should consider this fact. The younger generation of this metropolitan area rarely listens to radio at home or in their cars, and this is why the choice the to air a NEW sound will ultimately fail.
And for all of us Jazz lovers will be left listening to static.

NOT AGAIN!!!! I am truly crushed about the change in the format of 97.5. I can remember when smooth jazz use to be 106.1 and then it was moved to 97.5. What are they trying to convey that Jazz is over rated? There are plenty of sophisticated mature s that still enjoy the soothing sounds of Jazz music. I will really miss the latin quarter hour on Sundays and the smooth sounds that help me go to sleep at night. I hope that they can find another dial for the station.

I'm was truly disappointed to wake up and not able to listen to Smooth Jazz 97.5. JAZZ is Philadelphia! The heart and soul of music, next to Oldies. BRING IT BACK!!!

We all understand demographics and ratings, blah, blah, blah... but to smooth jazz fans the music was a welcomed respite from time-worn oldies and so called "classics" from the 80s and 90s. Give the younger generation their "tunes", but to relegate the rest of us to nothing but "geezer radio" is short-sighted to say the least. Smooth Jazz fans have the will and the resources to support this genre. And I have to believe a lot of us will abandon broadcast radio for the Internet and Satellite. If broadcast executives do not care about this, then I wish them luck in their misguided attempts to find success in an undifferenciated free radio market.

Let the young people listen to their iPods and give us back our Jazz. It was a very poor decision to take away the only mature music station that was available in the morning hours that didn't involve talk radio. I'll be listening to CD's also.

Oh No .. not again ... I thought my radio had lost it. I need my Jazz Station to soften my spirit while driving here in the Jersey/Philly area traffic and I could always count on soothing sounds -- Culbertson, Braun and Najee are my favorites. What?? made these idiots think we oldies don't love our station -- We were loyal to them and they just kicked us again.

I think we should start a protest to get Smooth Jazz back on the air! The other station is not good at all.

What a bad year this turned out to be. I can't take another lost or bad news. Please bring back my Jazz Station. Bring back real music. I can't stand that teenage, Idol, manufactured type of music. Who's idea was this anyways? Just so we are clear! The new rock ... whatever sucks! Please bring back the Jazz station!

Guys I went to their website and found their contact info

Email and phone. Send them and email if you want, maybe it will help.

I did call and got to a recording that said (in a nut shell) after 2 years it wasn't making enough money. Who knows may be the didn't market them selves right. Let them know how you feel

http://www.nowismusic.com/station-info

You suck. WJJZ was the only station you could listen to and block out the world. You could get in your car and turn on WJJZ and go to a place of peace and calm. As you can see by the recent road rage that's going on. I guess this also means the Penns Landing Concerts are out. The kids are not listening to your dull new station. If it's not rap forget it. You have done a great injustice to all of the jazz lovers eveywhere.

I am so disappointed that WJJZ Smooth Jazz is no longer on 97.5. Have they moved to another station?

I went thru this in Newport Rhode Island and then in Boston years ago.

I got XM radio and listen to the Watercolors Station (channel 71).

I started working in Philly area last December and was impressed that Philly had an FM radio station. I too was disappointed they are no longer here. I wanted to order the CD they were promoting.

Get XM or Sirrius if you want smooth jazz.

Late to this party, I just discovered this board while doing a Google search to find out what the heck happened to my favorite radio station.

I actually live outside the Philadelphia area, but I discovered WJJZ about 10 years ago -- you could always pick up 106.1 or 97.5 on the Jersey Shore starting around Howell Township driving West and Brick Township driving South, and at home, I could access its stream once I got broadband.

I loved that station to death. It had charm, it had style, it had true personality, both in the music it played an in its announcers. Sunday wasn't Sunday unless I got to hear the Smooth Jazz Sunday Brunch ("from Zanzibar Blue, Philadelphia's premiere jazz and blues club" in the 106.1 days), followed by Gerald Veasley's show. I can honestly say I have never been so attached to a single radio station since WABC when I was a child.

To see it sacrified on the altar of "listener demographics" yet again breaks my heart. Michael Tozzi and his crew had worked so hard to rebuild the old station on the new site - right down to using the original jingle tune! - and it's tragic to see their efforts squandered.

The new station? Feh. Old wine in a new bottle, and not even good wine - the cheap, jug stuff. They don't even have announcers! They just have a very obviously computer-synthesized voice announce the title and artist at the end of each song. That isn't RADIO, which is a mix of music and personalities. What the heck is the difference between that and an iPod?

I have a Sirius radio now, and I've been listening to Jazz Cafe, but it just isn't the same. I'm hoping yet another station (probably one in the Philly suburbs, can't see another big-city station adopting the format, alas) gives Tozzi and crew another shot and we see WJJZ rise from the ashes yet again.

Very frustrating not to be able to hear the smooth jazz on radio from either Philly or NY any more. WJJZ offered the best mellow listening format for morning, noon or night. Looks like it's back to the CD's. I will deeply miss WJJZ - but please, do not rest in peace - fight to return to the airwaves ASAP!!

Your radio station is the ONLY station we can get in our dental practice without static!! The change was initially pleasant but the format is unbearable most days now. You have taken it to a new LOW with the Christmas songs today. We will go back to our own CD's and look into pay radio for the future!! Please get the christmas off today!!

50's Xmas carols is the Now station? Where can I find jazz?

I miss 97.5 SMOOTH JAZZ so so much. This soft rock approach is absolutely horrid and what's with all the Christmas songs now playing? That station is completely tuned off now. Please bring Michael Tozzi and his wonderful jazz station back to all of us who loved, worked and played religiously by this rewarding music. And to my all time favorite....Mindi Abair....I'm glad I have all your CD'S!!!!

hay thanks for the Christmas songs in this time with all the crime it's nice to here hope you keep it on and to all who don't like it that is why you have a tuner go a head change your station but I like it and when I come home and shut my door and leave all the bad outside it's just nice.Two good things happen in this city Yes the phillies won and someone started playing Christmas songs!and after lossing SGT.S.Liczbinski
whoas a good friend and I miss it's just nice to know Christmas is on it's way!! Keep it up

97.5 WJJZ Signs On HD2 Channel Classical Music Returns to Philadelphia

Greater Media Philadelphia announces 97.5 WJJZ will begin airing their HD2 Channel, featuring classical music seven days a week, beginning on Monday, November 12th, 2007.

In addition to the launch, 97.5 WJJZ is proud to announce two-time Grammy Award-winning pianist and Artistic Director/ Conductor of the Philly Pops, Peter Nero, will be the official voice of WJJZ's HD2 Channel.

"I'm very excited that WJJZ will be able to fill a hole in the Philadelphia market with the only full time classical radio station....and in HD stereo," said WJJZ's Program Director Michael Tozzi. "In addition, we have good friend, Peter Nero, as our Musical Advisor. He is the perfect on-air talent choice to complement this exciting adventure, given his knowledge of classical music."

For more information, please contact: Christina Sirianni at 484-434-1144.

November 9, 2007

I know it's "early" into the holiday season, but back off all you bah humbugs!!! I'm loving the Christmas songs! It makes my day a little happier and God knows we can all use a little happines in our lives! Lighten up and enjoy. It brings back all my childhood memories of happy times with family and friends. Let the memories fill you up and maybe you'll enjoy the music more. The only criticism I have is that after 3 hours you play the same songs over an over again. I know there are alot more Christmas songs out there to play so it would be much appreciated if you could expand your song list to include some different songs so you don't have to repeat the same songs 5 times a day. Thanks for the memories!

I was a big fan of smooth jazz WJJZ in Philadelphia. I thought the station was excellent. Not only it was moved to 97.5 (which was fine)but now completely gone. I am not a hip hop person and I don't always like to listen to lyrics. The smooth jazz a way for me to relax without all the disturbance.
I get off late at night from class and driving 45 minutes to get ome. The jazz was a good way for me to process my thoughts and relax.
if money was the issue, they should do the samething that 90.1 Tem[ple station does every now and then. Iwould donate money to the radio because I love the station.

Bring it back please
By popular demand
We already have a soft rock station, we need JAZZ

I really miss WJJZ, not just for the music but the people like Michael Tozzi and Bill Simpson. Luckily I found the Chicago station WNUA to listen to while I'm at work. Somehow having Ramsey Lewis and Dave Koz's radio shows available makes things better. As for unwinding from a hectic day in my car, I've resigned myself to satellite...but it doesn't replace the personalities that enhanced smooth jazz on WJJZ.
How many "pop" stations does Phila really need?????

I am a 58 year old male that loved to listen to wjjz and the jazz format, we need a station in philadelphia market like wjjz, not all these silly rock stations competing aginst one another, you guys just lost me as a listner, wjjz will be back because there are a whole bunch of us baby boomers out here, these others stations are not whats in our blood we are a mature audence we do not want to listen to diaper music.

I find it hard to believe that we do not have enough jazz listeners in Philadelphia to support even one FM station. I so much enjoyed WJJZ and now miss their sound. Please come back!

WHF!!!!!!!!!! You guy are trying to get a "younger" approach my a** I'm 22 years old and been listening to WJJZ every since it aired (thanks to my dad)! I have LOTS of memories and history with WJJZ Smooth Jazz! Why do y'all keep taking this format away?!? I HATE today's hip hop and always opted to Smooth Jazz whenever Wdas got on my nerves with the same ol same ol playlist, I LOVE WJJZ...BRING IT BACK!!!!!!!!!!

P.S.......There is soooooo many stations young people my age can listen to, but mind YOU there ARE people my age that loved SMOOTH JAZZ!!! UGH! You money hungry people need to go somewhere and BRING SMOOTH JAZZ BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't know what's wrong with Clear Channel. Every time I find my Smooth Jazz station (WJJZ) it disappears AGAIN!!!!! I don't want or need to listen to another so called soft rock station. everybody plays the same DAMN thing all day everyday, and it gets REALLY REALLY REALLY BOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRINGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!! Bring back my WJJZ radio station NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!

Smooth Jazz failed because it did not live up to its potential. The WJJZ play list was limited and the music was becoming boring repetitive. I could go weeks without listening, tune in and hear the same tracks almost in the same sequence. With the depth and breadth of the genre more could have been offered. I was hearing better Jazz on the Weather Channel.