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Do you know Jack? "Jack" radio that is. It may be coming to a radio station near you.
"Jack FM" is the format de jour that is sweeping into markets large and small. The new format uses no announcers and adopts the attitude that "we play whatever we want."
The format currently was activated in Chicago at WJMK-FM. Formerly the big olides stations featuring the legendary jock Dick Biondi, Jack-FM hit the Chicago airwaves over the weekend. The music driven format is, according to letters received by the Chicago Sun-Times, is driving listeners away. WJMK is using its Internet stream to maintain Biondi and other live hosts to maintain the oldie format.
Another highly rated oldies station, WCBS-FM also began the Jack-FM format over the weekend. The listener response was similar to that received in Chicago.
Wired.com reports, "Boasting they're "like an iPod on shuffle," the new stations typically dump their disc jockeys in favor of huge song playlists that mimic a well-stocked portable music player.
The Jack format, which is already spawning imitators, could be a key to FM's survival as an alternative to satellite radio, Internet radio and MP3 players."
I'm not sure that FM radio is being hurt much by satellite radio or the Internet. If the reaction in Chicago and New York is any indication, the listeners are looking for other alternatives, but are looking for local news, weather, music, and personalities. Little of that can be found on the JACK format stations.
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Other Interesting Stories
DNC Chairman Howard Dean continues his anti-Republican rhetoric. At a forum with minority leaders and journalist, Dean described Republicans as a "white Christian party."
He characterized the Republican Party as "a pretty monolithic party. They all behave the same. They all look the same. It's pretty much a white Christian party."
He characterized the Republican Party as "a pretty monolithic party. They all behave the same. They all look the same. It's pretty much a white Christian party."
Dean recent comments have come under fire by members of his own party including Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE), presidential candidate John Edwards, and New Mexico governor Bill Richardson.
Dean has not yet commented on the comments by the new mayor of Los Angeles who said at a liberal confab in Washington that the Democrats need more diversity.
Dean is also under fire for lagging fundraising efforts.
WorldNetDaily: Dean's latest: GOP 'white Christian party'
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Tuesday the Senate Intelligence Committee approved a bill to renew and expand certain portions of the Patriot Act.
The bill moves forward on an 11-4 vote with additional provisions that would allow the FBI to subpoena records without the approval of a judge or grand jury in terrorism investigations.
Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., said the bill places new checks and balances on the powers it would grant, such as new procedures that would allow people to challenge such administrative orders. He called the Patriot Act "a vital tool in the war on terror" and lauded the Democrats who voted for it in spite of misgivings.
The bill now moves to the Senate Judiciary Committee where several Democrats promise to offer amendments to weaken any new powers granted under the revisions.
Senate Panel OKs Expanded Powers for FBI - Yahoo! News
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More later.
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