On February 5th 2008, CD101.9 was taken off the air in New York and replaced with a new adult rock format (101.9 RXP). The reason given for this was a declining audience for Smooth Jazz over the past few years. Like many fans of Smooth Jazz in the tri-state area I was shocked and dismayed to learn that one of my favorite stations of the past 20 years was no longer available. I also found the claim of a declining audience to be questionable since I find that interest in smooth jazz is expanding rather than declining. Internet based websites featuring smooth jazz music and information have very large and growing fan bases. Sites like smoothjazz.com prove that this genre is as relevant as ever.

In addition, the New York City area already has the Rock market covered by existing radio stations. Q104.3 and 92.3 K-Rock are currently providing rock fans with both classic and new rock music and have been doing so for some time. I feel that the addition of a new rock station in New York is redundant and unnecessary. Smooth Jazz on the other hand, has only represented by CD101.9 for the past 20 years. Without CD101.9, there is no other radio station that fans of Smooth Jazz can turn to for the music they love. Listening on HD Radio is not a reasonable alternative since most listeners do not have HD radios in their cars.

I am part of a growing audience of Smooth Jazz fans in the New York City area that is disturbed by an apparent trend in radio to try to eliminate the Smooth Jazz format in favor of new and existing formats that are perceived as having a larger audience (and therefore generating more revenue). I am asking you to show courage and leadership by bringing CD101.9 back to the airwaves in New York. Reclaim a solid and loyal fan base by returning to the Smooth Jazz format to the air and help reverse this trend in the radio market across this country. Fans of Smooth Jazz are still here and we are not going anywhere.

BRING BACK CD101.9


Sincerely,