Another heritage small-market radio station is preparing to turn the page as the owners of “CJ Country” get set to bring their growing Country brand into Bath, New York.
When Tom and Desire Hoyt’s WCJW LLC officially closes on its purchase of Adult Contemporary “V98.3” WVIN on June 1, the station will reportedly abandon its longtime AC identity and begin simulcasting Country-formatted “CJ Country” 1140 WCJW Warsaw, according to regional reports from the Hornell Sun.
The move significantly expands the CJ Country footprint across Western New York. In addition to its Warsaw signal, WCJW is already carried on a collection of FM translators serving communities including Alden, Geneseo, Avon, Batavia, Arcade, and Warsaw itself. The growing network now stretches across a large portion of the territory between Buffalo and Rochester, with Southern Tier coverage now entering the equation through the Bath acquisition.
The transaction comes less than a year after the Hoyts acquired WCJW in a $750,000 deal, continuing what appears to be an aggressive regional expansion strategy focused on Country radio and broad translator coverage throughout upstate New York.
But alongside the format change comes the end of a familiar voice for generations of listeners.
Longtime morning host Dave Taylor Smith will retire as ownership transitions take place at WVIN. Smith has been part of the station’s identity since August 1989, while his broadcasting career dates back to 1970. For listeners throughout Steuben County, his departure marks the close of an era that helped define hometown radio in Bath for decades.
Outgoing owner Dawn Ichikawa told the Hornell Sun that the incoming ownership group had hoped Smith would remain with the station and had presented him with an expanded compensation package that included additional opportunities on the station. However, Smith instead chose retirement as the company prepares for the June 1 transition.
The situation once again highlights the difficult balancing act many independent broadcasters face in 2026. Heritage local formats, longtime personalities, operating costs, and changing listener habits continue colliding across America’s smaller markets. While consolidation often dominates headlines in larger cities, moves like this one show independent owners are also reshaping local radio by leaning into broader regional brands and network efficiencies.
At the same time, stations like WVIN carry decades of local memories tied to personalities, community involvement, school closings, hometown events, and familiar companionship that simply cannot be duplicated overnight.
Whether listeners embrace the CJ Country expansion remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: June 1 will mark a major turning point for radio in Bath.
On The Dial covers breaking radio industry news, including layoffs, programming changes, talent moves, and broadcast trends across the United States.