RADIO: BOB FM is now New Country 94

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UPDATE - NOVEMBER 12: ** As we reported yesterday, the radio station has relaunched as New Country 94. Click here for the official press release.

** UPDATE -  NOVEMBER 11: ** One source tells us the new station to be launched at 93.9 FM will target women 18-34, and could launch as early as Wednesday.  It will be called New Country 94.

Long-time news director and CFRA program director Steve Winogron was also laid off yesterday. His LinkedIn profile says he’s been at the station since 1978.

John Mielke posted a poignant video to his Facebook page today , thanking listeners for listening to him and supporting him over the years.

This message was posted sometime on Monday to 93.9 BOB FM’s web site. It links to the web page of 103.7 BOB FM in Brockville. Both stations are owned by Bell Media.

“Thank-you! The last eleven years have been a blast, and we hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as we have. Market conditions have changed, and it’s time for us to pursue a new opportunity. You can still listen to the best of the 80s, 90s, and Whatever here .”

One of the announcers tells OttawaStart.com that all on-air staff were laid off, including Cub Carson, Melanie Adams, Codi Jeffreys, Darryl Kornicky and John “Milky” Mielke. Long-time promotions manager J-R Ello was also let go.   Staff were called into a short meeting, thanked for their work, and given severance packages.

The station is playing a mix of music (and commercials), interrupted every once in a while by a voiceover that says “A brand new radio station arrives… soon.”

In the Spring 2014 radio ratings , the station had a share of 2.6, about in the middle of the pack for local stations.

Lots of negative feedback from listeners posted to the Milky Show Facebook page .  Milky was the mid-day host and 22-year veteran of the station and ran an all-request show over lunch hour.

https://twitter.com/CubCarson/status/531954205339422720