Monday, December 19, 2011

107.3 THE WAVE RETURNS TO CLEVELAND

Cleveland is about to get a new radio station soon as a Rubber City Radio has begun the process of restoring “107.3 The Wave.” The station’s new website at 1073TheWave.net is up and teasing a “Smooth Jazz Christmas” and ‘Smooth AC Coming Soon,” The station has dropped the remnants of the Album Adult Alternative format and has begin stunting with Smooth Christmas music before actually launching its brand new format on Wednesday, January 4. It was back in October that WNWV owner Elyria-Lorain Broadcasting Co. announced plans to sell the station to the Akron, Ohio based Rubber City Radio Group, Inc.for $6.5 million. The deal was completed that December 16 at 5:00 p.m., with Rubber City Radio Group formally announcing a return to the station's prior "Wave" name[ but with an updated smooth adult contemporary format on January 4, 2012 (in a music style similar to San Diego outlet KIFM). The station serves the Cleveland radio market and much of surrounding Northeast Ohio.

For a bit of history…it was back in December 2009, that it was announced that "The Wave" would be changing formats after 22 years of bringing smooth jazz to Northeast Ohio. WNWV switched to an adult album alternative format featuring a mix of alternative and classic rock. The station at the time cited the nationwide downturn for the smooth jazz format as the reason for the change, despite "The Wave" being a perennially strong ratings performer in Cleveland. Now it appears that the station is comfortable in adopting the smooth jazz/smooth adult contemporary format, which features a hybrid of smooth jazz instrumentals (30%)with adult contemporary vocals (70%). In other words, a smooth jazz format with less smooth jazz thrown in.

39 comments:

  1. Anonymous8:17 AM

    I am happy that 107.3 THE WAVE is back, I was so unhappy when I couldn't listen to it especially in the car and at home I would forget about listening to it on-line. Welcome Back 107.3 The Wave, I embrace you with open arms!!! Lynn of Cleveland

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  2. I am looking forward to the return of THE WAVE 107.3. I have missed it. I will be listening to see if it satisfies my desire for a more calm ride into and home from work.

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  3. I am looking forward to the return of 107.3 THE WAVE. I will be listening to see if I get the calm for the ride into and home from work.

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  4. The Smooth Jazz format was greatly missed in this area! I thought it was very embarrassing that our Northeast Ohio area only had rock and country stations! Many people enjoy the sophistication of Jazz! I'm sure many businesses are very happy again that they can play The Wave in their establishments...mellow jazz creates such a wonderful, relaxing atmosphere to conduct business! Bravo to whomever had the intelligence to bring The Wave back!..just in time for the Holidays...thank you!

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  5. Anonymous12:34 PM

    The new format was great. Fresh new artist that were not played on any other stations. Now we get to listen to recycled jazz from the past. Pass me a pillow and a blanket,the new old is back.

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  6. Anonymous2:26 PM

    OMG!! It was so.o.o.o refreshing to turn back to the station today and hear hostess Vanessa Williams and Michael Franks singing, etc.
    I thought I was dreaming, even the holiday music, with its Jazz format lifted my spirits back up!! I am going to spread the word because 107.3 has had a large following in my family since the 80's. We are finally out of the Twilight Zone!!!
    Welcome Back!!!

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  7. Anonymous6:58 PM

    I am so disappointed that this station is changing formats again. The previous alternative format was incredible, playing the best mix of rock I have ever heard on Cleveland radio, and I have lived here over 30 years. I would be turned on to new music and artists every day, and I was turning other people on to this station constantly. You will be losing A LOT of loyal listeners with this new format, myself included.

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  8. Anonymous12:41 PM

    I am soooo happy the WAVE is back. I found it the other day coming home from work and thought "Can it really be true?" then the gal sang "One O seven threeeee... the Wa-a-ave"! and I knew. It was a great Christmas gift. The Jazz format has been really missed. Welcome home!

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  9. Anonymous8:10 PM

    You've got to be kidding that the old WAVE is back. Dusted off those old Xmas songs I quess... Liked the new extended versions of songs that I heard this year from the new owners; new and refreshing. Feel like this is a step backward in time for someone(s)...

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  10. Anonymous4:54 PM

    Hooray! The Wave is back. I really missed it. Love the smooth jazz. It was a good Christmas present. Thank you.

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  11. Anonymous5:57 PM

    I happy to have the old format back and the Wave playing softly in my car and at home. Thank you.

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  12. Anonymous6:32 PM

    I am thrilled the Wave is Back! I've been playing my Smooth Jazz CD's in the car to/from work so I don't have to listen to a million commercials and DJ's who think they're funny. This is a late Christmas present for me!

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  13. Cliff Edge1:11 PM

    Thank heavens that that the right people have come to their senses. The past couple of years have made me quite unhappy with what's on the FM dial. The people who liked the "alternate album" stuff can go elsewhere.

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  14. Anonymous3:18 PM

    All I can say is THANK GOODNESS!

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  15. Anonymous4:31 PM

    Please tell me you're joking and not going back to jazz. The alternative format was fabulous.I also told everyone I knew to tune in. You're losing this listener.

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  16. Anonymous9:19 AM

    This is so good. Couldn't believe it. Where else can you hear cool jazz from the best artist? Finallym, something good has happened for Cleveland.

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  17. Anonymous5:29 PM

    You're kidding ! I'm finishing up work in my office flipping through stations and its like it never left. YAY, the Wave is back !

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  18. Anonymous11:08 AM

    The WAVE is back and all is right with the world...

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  19. Williegirl7:42 PM

    I was searching for something to listen to on my radio and OMG the WAVE is back?? YES... I love it..

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  20. Anonymous9:39 AM

    Its great to hear 107.3 again, it was missed. We can now reset all of our radios back to 107.3. Thanks

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  21. Anonymous5:13 PM

    elyrdkid73: I can not tell you how happy I am that 107.3 THE WAVE is back. You "totally" made my day and 2012. I listened to your station while I was cooking and enjoying my glass of wine. This was a very wise decision and again, "THANK YOU!"

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  22. Anonymous5:24 PM

    Smooth Jazz, New Age melodies, and jocks who don't scream at me, cause we really do have brains out here in radio land...thanks so much folks, for making it all mellow again.
    Peace, baby...

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  23. Anonymous7:36 PM

    I was soo upset when The Wave left couple of years ago and Im sooo happy its back!! My mom is very happy The Wave is back too! My dad passed away almost 8 years ago and this was their station to listen to. When The Wave returned, my mom cried- it was like getting some piece of my father back when we listen to this station-you have great music and we are thrilled!! :)

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  24. I am very happy to hear that the wave have returned...you have been badly missed.Welcome Back!

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  25. Anonymous7:31 AM

    THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU; WE really missed the great jazz on the WAVE. Welcomw back.

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  26. Anonymous5:18 PM

    Thank you. Glad your back but please could we have 70% Jazz and 30% other. I love,love, love JAZZ!

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  27. Anonymous9:53 PM

    Thank you for coming to your senses and bringing back The Wave!!! I can set my preset again YAY! " One Oh Seven Three the waa-aave"

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  28. Anonymous2:30 PM

    Give me back the old format!!! It was great...new music I could not find many where else. Now, for me...my favorite music is found on public radio out of Dallas, TX!

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  29. Anonymous7:52 PM

    Am thrilled to have The Wave back! No more flipping around among stations I don't even like. Keep up the good work.

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  30. Anonymous2:58 PM

    I just discovered the THE WAVE is back. I turned off when the Wave disappeared. I could not listen to the new format. I would rather have silence. I left a comment that it was a major mistake and that the reformat would die a violent death. WELCOME back to the great sounds. THANK YOU!!!

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  31. Anonymous11:38 AM

    I saw an ad on TV the other night that the WAVE is back! I was so excited. My FAVORITE!!!
    Welcome back!! You were greatly missed.

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  32. Anonymous2:32 PM

    Glad your bad. Horray.Dave N.Canton

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  33. Vivian of Stow10:00 AM

    I am very happy that THE WAVE is back. I really missed it. Thank you.

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  34. Anonymous6:18 PM

    be smart bring back Nancy Alden to the radio!!!!

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  35. Holly7:52 PM


    What happened to the REALLY great alternative rock station (90.3 FM) I think out of Cleveland Heights. That is the kind of music station needed in Cleveland. When you consider we are the home of the Rock Hall of Fame, the selection of diversified music radio here is a joke!!

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  36. Anonymous5:36 PM

    I cried when you went off the air. The listeners were lost. I called to complain. I knew you guys would be back though when I heard the new format. I reserved the tuner button for you return and periodically checked for your return. I kept the FAITH and it paid off! Now I can ride THE WAVE again at home, work, car and cell. Truly a dedicated FAN, Loretta Wilson of South Euclid

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  37. I listen all day!!

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  38. I listen all day. .

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