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If a radio station changes formats and nobody is there to hear it, does it make a sound?

12:10 AM EST on January 15, 2008

Maybe along with the Ford Center tax, we can pass a penny sales tax to get some real radio stations in Oklahoma City. Because just when you thought the Oklahoma City radio market couldn't get any worse, our friends at OklahomaRock.com (who...by the way...do not respond to emails) share this "news:"

During their nothing-but-Metallica weekend, 94.7 The Buzz teased a format change with sweepers like "What's the Buzzzzzz? Find out Monday morning at 10"³.

After sitting through Lex & Terry, they tipped their hat toward the rumors that KTOK was going to take over the 94.7 signal with a Glenn Beck soundbyte. (cringe) After taking a few swipes at the KATT, the first song we hear is AC/DC's "Back in Black" (ugh), followed by Foo Fighters, The Ramones, Korn, Pantera, Atreyu and Tool.

So obviously, the station is switching from "˜Alternative' to "˜Active Rock' in order to take some market share away from the KATT. The fourth quarter of 2007 was very unkind to 94.7 FM (1.4), falling just above La Indomable 105.3 FM (1.3) in the ratings. Meanwhile, KATT (5.7) has been a consistent top five station in the ratings. So from a business sense, it's a very smart move the KHBZ.

Despite it being the 'number one' present on my car radio, I don't think I've listened to 95x The Buzz since it broadcast Hornets games in 2005. In that regard, I would like to thank Oklahoma Rock for unintentionally reminding me to remove 94.7 from my line of stations that I have preset but never listen to.

Additionally, I'd like to thank the powers-at-be at the Buzz for making a completely idiotic decision and (instead of bringing Indie Rock back to Oklahoma City radio) deciding to compete with one of Oklahoma City's (like it or not) few radio institutions, The KATT. And the reason I'd like to thank them is because I like to see incompetent people get fired, and hopefully these buffoons will get fired pretty soon.

Seriously, imagine how great it would be if instead of throwing out AC/DC, Korn and Atreyu, we were greeted by even mainstream indie rock like The Flaming Lips, The Arcade Fire, Band of Horses, or dear god, even Interpol. Imagine the "Buzz" (eh) that would have created. But no, we get to hear"“as an OklahomaRock commenter perfectly labeled it"“more MethRock.

And to go with it, I bet we'll eventually get Blade Runner, too. Thank god for illegal downloading.

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