The True Oldies Channel Information & The True Oldies Channel Links at HealthHaven.com

**The True Oldies Channel**
Type	Radio network
Country	United States
Availability	National, through small, mid-sized, large, and major media market affiliates.
Founded	by Scott Shannon and ABC Radio
Owner	Citadel Media; (through Citadel Broadcasting)
Launch date	April 1, 2004
Official website	http://www.trueoldieschannel.com

The True Oldies Channel is a syndicated radio programming stream begun in the spring of 2004, hosted by American radio personality Scott Shannon. Distributed by Citadel Media (formerly ABC Radio Networks) (through Citadel Broadcasting) via satellite, the service plays an oldies format comprising music mostly from 1964 to 1979 but also plays selected cuts from the 1955-1963 era and also from the 1980s. The Channel is now leaning towards classic hits.

The service currently has over 60 affiliate stations across the United States. The service is available 24 hours a day. Some stations run the format full-time 24/7 while a few others run it on overnights only. Many member stations, however, generally break away from the program feed at some points during the day to air some local programming, either a local morning show, a local afternoon show, or both. A few even air Imus in the Morning.

[edit] Modifications

Initially, the True Oldies Channel featured only music from 1955 to 1969 with less than ten from 1970 to 1973 (for example "Tears of a Clown" and "Burning Love"). The format was 60% 1964 to 1969 and 40% 1955 to 1963. By 2005, oldies from the early 1970s were added in moderation. The pre 1964 material was cut back slightly. In 2006, more late 1970s music was added and the pre 1964 product was cut down to 2 or 3 songs per hour. In March 2008, the pre 1964 product was cut down to one per hour during the day and twice an hour on overnights and the hits from the late 1960s and early to mid 1970's was played in equal amounts. A few 1980s cuts were also added.

On July 7, 2008, The True Oldies Channel further modified its format, dropping all but a couple pre 1964 titles and added a large amount of music from the 1980s, playing a couple per hour. The format was then more of a Classic Hits format and was oldies in name only. This change was very short lived and by the end of July they backed off the 1980s music and by August most 1980s music was gone. A moderate amount of pre 1964 material was also reinstated.

It was the network's original mission to avoid the trends of other oldies outlets and remain committed to the music produced from the beginning of the rock-and-roll era to the disco era (1955 to 1979), purposefully drawing the line of what they would never air at 1980. However, as with any rule, it is meant to be broken, as one can occasionally hear songs such as "Take Me Home Tonight" by Eddie Money from 1987 and "Into the Night" by Benny Mardones (1980) on the network, albeit sparingly. The network now focuses its branding on variety, admitting they too have followed trends toward newer music, but also making sure to retain some of the older music that most oldies stations have abandoned.

[edit] Growth

The True Oldies format is experiencing significant growth in exposure following cost-cutting measures across Citadel's payroll. Lower performing stations owned by Citadel, such as WYAY Atlanta, are being switched over to True Oldies, sometimes with Imus in the Morning as the morning show. WLS-FM Chicago, however, only runs True Oldies Channel overnights and weekends with a similar local oldies format weekdays.