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I can't get past the paywall on this article, but it tells you enough without going to the full thing - predictions that current Pure Country 89 may be flipping back to its old Alternative offerings, when it was known as 89X.
I never really saw Windsor as much of a place for country music, so this wouldn't really surprise me.
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Will be interesting if it happens.
Bell only has 3 music stations that aren't in one of their big national brands, and they're heritage rock stations in Edmonton, Calgary, and Montreal that don't make sense to flip. So reverting a station and adding a 4th exception would be unexpected.
I believe one of (if not the only) use of the current Country station is to get Detroit market clearance for the Bobby Bones show.
Bell currently has jobs posted for the station for mornings and afternoons, both of which just refer to the station by its call-letters.
Last edited by RadioAaron (August 21, 2025 5:56 pm)
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Honestly, if that prediction by RadioInsight comes to pass, my question is: What the HELL did Bell gain by flipping CIMX to country? NOTHING. They were competing with Windsor's Country(on two frequencies)and with at least 2 country stations in Detroit.
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ckg927 wrote:
Honestly, if that prediction by RadioInsight comes to pass, my question is: What the HELL did Bell gain by flipping CIMX to country? NOTHING. They were competing with Windsor's Country(on two frequencies)and with at least 2 country stations in Detroit.
Detroit Bobby Bones clearance and a significant reduction in expenses.
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The format change rumour is certainly being talked about in Detroit..
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Now I'm not saying that Bell has any plan to put the Windsor stations up for sale, but as a wild guess, could a format change help make things appear more profitable (than Country) for a sale?
Last edited by Radiowiz (August 21, 2025 11:56 pm)
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Here is a link to the discussion on a Michigan board.
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I heard a rumor over a month ago that the plan was to flip on the 29th at noon or 1 to 89X and go commercial free all long weekend. Also I was told by the person (I cannot reveal names yet) who was hired for middays to replace Ashleigh at CJAY Calgary and the Bear Edmonton that they will also be on air at a new station in Ontario in the fall. It appears to me that the station will launch with no on air staff for a while. As the job postings just went live last week for mornings and afternoons.
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Looks like people really loved 89X.
If it's simply a format flip and Bell doesn't eventually sell it the people who are excited will be disappointed.
Now if it gets into the hands of not Bell, Rogers or Corus there might be hope...
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They used to have the 'Time Warp'- an excellent 80's & 90's Alternative show.