Omahans: Sweet 98 is gone!

[docetboy]

Hootie, FAB, Omahans at heart: The following message, displayed on Sweet 98's homepage currently, was played on air at 3 pm today.

March 11, 2004

Saying goodbye to an old friend is painful, and no one feels this more deeply than the staff of Waitt Radio and Sweet 98.5.
Over the years, the tone and flavor of “Top 40 “ radio has changed to accommodate the music of the times. The old days of Sweet 98 are not what they were. The longstanding listener-ship of the station has grown up over the 20+ years KQKQ has been on the air, and now the station is going to grow with them.

Everyone at Sweet 98.5 will miss the many friends they’ve made on the air and at remote broadcast appearances as much as they will be missed.

Deciding to change Sweet 98.5 was a long and well-thought out process by Waitt Radio. We thank you for your loyalty and support throughout the years, and we sincerely hope that we will again cross paths in the future.

Since then, there has been techno-sounding music in the background with a constant countdown to 3 pm tomorrow, 24 hours after the message was aired. Different from when 101.9 the EDGE was sold, how they played "It's the end of the world as we know it" for 24 straight hours. Sweet 98 has an optimistic feel.

But, why!? Sweet 98 was the highest-ranking station in the area, with the highest-ranking morning show...what is to come!

[docetboy]

Update: It appears Waitt's other FM station, 106.9 the CITY is also counting down...and the message is slightly different...

Saying goodbye to an old friend is painful, and no one feels this more deeply than the staff of Waitt Radio and 106.9 The City.

Waitt Radio has invested millions of dollars and devoted immeasurable time and energy over the past 6 years to make The City financially viable. However, the listener support has never translated into the advertiser support that is required to sustain the radio station, resulting in economic hardship for the company.
Big Party and Jen X, Amber, Stash and Stacie will miss the many friends they’ve made on the air and at remote broadcast appearances as much as they will be missed.

Deciding to leave The City behind was a tough decision for Waitt Radio to make. We thank you for your passionate loyalty and support throughout the years, and we sincerely hope that we will again cross paths in the future.

Current Rumors are Sweet 98 staying the same or going to a Hot AC format, with The City moving to classic country to compete with the KAT.