Great. Another AUTOMATED COOKIE CUTTER FORMAT in multiple Ontario markets. Just what we needed.

Adrian106072 wrote:

Is there any reference to the change? If Local Radio Lab really was to expand the Indie format to all four markets, they could just shutdown the stations in Milton and Bolton altogether. The 60dbU contour of Indie 88 covers these two towns very well, and the additional signals provide little to no value to the cluster.

Additionally, the 101.3 and 102.7 frequency in Milton and Bolton both have severe co-channel interference with other stations in GTA. Even they were sold to other operators, the trending decline in radio revenue would be very difficult for these stations to survive in the long-term.

Each station would still have it's unique separate value, especially on a Saturday afternoon for a remote or something live. No need to tell someone in Toronto to come on down to Joe's garage in Bolton or something.

 

Adrian106072 wrote:

Is there any reference to the change? If Local Radio Lab really was to expand the Indie format to all four markets, they could just shutdown the stations in Milton and Bolton altogether. The 60dbU contour of Indie 88 covers these two towns very well, and the additional signals provide little to no value to the cluster.

Additionally, the 101.3 and 102.7 frequency in Milton and Bolton both have severe co-channel interference with other stations in GTA. Even they were sold to other operators, the trending decline in radio revenue would be very difficult for these stations to survive in the long-term.

Not only that.... but all but one of those stations are within the Toronto ppm market, which could chomp away at CIND's ratings. Strange idea
 

km93 wrote:

When I saw the headline for this thread I was a little shocked-thinking how could the "Indie" format work in all these smaller markets? But then I actually checked what Indie 88 is playing these days as I haven't listened regularly since Dave Bookman (Bookie's passing), to find it isn't even close to the Indie or Alternative format that I recalled-it seems to now be a mix of Hot AC with some Alt. mixed in (actually it's pretty close to what Stingray was trying with 93.5)-so really it isn't a big change at all from what the Milton, Orangeville, Bolton frequencies are already playing-just a slight tweak. Their playlist now includes Kelly Clarkson, Chappell Roan, Sheryl Crow, Train and Fleetwood Mac.

https://www.indie88.com/recently-played/

The exurban stations have rebranded to “Indie FM” but are running different music (mainstream AC) and airshifts than Indie88, albeit sharing staff and promotions.

Bob Willette is currently on Indie FM playing “Walking in Memphis,” whereas Carlin, Brent, and Jackie are on Indie88 having most recently played “It’s the End of the World As We Know It” (by REM, though Great Big Sea is also on their modern-AC-leaning playlist now). Bob will also be on Indie88 this afternoon filling in for Lana. Adam has been heard middays on both.

Both Indie88 and Indie FM are giving away No Doubt in Las Vegas trips, much more ambitious than the promotions the exurban stations would run under their prior brands.

Last edited by Jonathan W (December 2, 2025 8:52 am)

India 103.1 probably would've done better in Milton

Three of the four exurban stations were MyFM stations owned by My Broadcasting. I listened regularly to Orangeville and occasionally to another.

They had been “cookie-cutter” stations all along with out-of-market announcing shared with other MyFM AC stations across Ontario, except for local news and remotes. Bolton has a separate history. Local Radio Lab acquired it not from My Broadcasting but from Vista Radio. But by the end I think Vista Radio was also running it as a cookie-cutter of their Moose FM.

Now at least these four West GTA exurbs stations will get music and announcer breaks programmed for that cluster and that cluster alone, and still local news. It’s not golden age radio but it’s not the worst.

Last edited by Jonathan W (December 2, 2025 3:19 pm)

Bob on the exurban morning show is really engaging with the music, something these stations scarcely did in the MyFM era, except for their Sunday morning oldies show. Welcome shift!

chris preparing to sell a **network**