Sad but predictable. Failed 'Smooth Jazz' stations such as KWJZ like to blame PPM as the culprit, and this is undeniably true. However, the change in listener sampling technology doesn't tell the whole story. The format itself has been in serious trouble for some time now as it has stagnated and aged. Instead of keeping the sound fresh and introducing the format to younger demos, 'Smooth Jazz' headed for the safe ground and morphed into yuppie elevator music. KWJZ (and it's predecessor KEZX) may have helped pioneer the format 19 years ago, but the last few years, 98.9 has been playing many of the same, worn out, flowery saxophone instrumentals. Ditto the overplayed soul vocal tunes such as Otis' "Dock Of The Bay". KWJZ is not alone in allowing complacency to invade the 'Smooth Jazz' format. Some 'smooth jazz' stations have claimed there is a shortage of new material to draw from and this simply isn't true. Looking beyond releases by the corporate giants, there is plenty of indie material, including self-marketed artists via MySpace, Facebook, etc to draw from. Europe has vibrant and healthy jazz and soul music formatted FM stations in a number of countries - France, Switzerland, Italy, Netherlands and even the Canary Islands playing fresh releases, gaining listeners and paying the bills via ad revenue. Given the challenges faced by KWJZ the past few years, I would have loved the opportunity to take on the difficult challenge of rebuilding the station as PD. First up, would have been to drop the word "smooth" out of the ID and give it a moniker like "98.9 The Jazz Cafe" or "K-W Jazz 99 FM" or something different that doesn't suggest 'sleepy' or boring. Ditch the choices of the sleepiest, slowest racks on new releases and emphasize the uptempo tracks. Add some remixes, some "world-jazz" and a few standards too. Replace the tired soul and pop oldies with fresh soul from artists such as Monday Michiru, Incognito, Dwele, Michael Franti, Jill Scott, Raphael Saadiq, Erikah Badhu, India.Arie etc. Ditch ANYTHING by Kenny G, Najee and much of Grover Washington too and emphasize fresh jazz and lounge - artists such as Jazzanova, Maceo Parker, Nils Landgren Funk Unit, new Deodato album, new Herbie Hancock album etc. Bring in some young 'mixers' to spin and mix jazz, soul and fresh beats together using vinyl & samplers to "push the boundaries". Sadly, listener-supported KPLU with it's ever narrowing playlist is "aging" badly and shutting out younger listeners or introducing new ones to jazz genres/sub-genres just as much as smooth, slick KWJZ. As more and more stations drop jazz as a format, specialized Internet stations such as Sky Valley Radio (SHAMEFUL PROMOTIONAL PLUG!) slowly pick up a few new listeners. Recent emails over the last few years have informed me that new listeners have turned my way as their local FM's have dropped 'smooth jazz' . It's also noteworthy, that as I track IP locations of log-ons, I've discovered my heaviest listenership is in Europe. Popular Euro jazz/soul stations such as Solar Radio - London, TSF Paris, Swiss Groove Radio & Q-FM Canary islands are reporting dramatic increases in online listening! Once again, the almighty dollar and quest for the ratings pie have ditched another diverse format in Seattle, but this one was coming for a while. I hope Carol Handley and the KWJZ crew land on their feet. I also wish Sandusky all the best with "Click 98.9".