oWOW/Cleveland, Over & Out
• Legendary Cleveland broadcaster John Gorman announced that his six-year-old online “Timeless Rock” radio station, oWOW/Cleveland will formally cease operations on Sunday evening, January 17 at 11:59pm. As RAMP originally reported last September, oWOW had planned to sign off on October 2, 2020, due to the devastating economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic that have affected much of the radio industry, but due to an unanticipated late-inning surge in online advertising, plus the robust sales of an album, oWOW Presents NEO — The Soundtrack, featuring a collection of Northeast Ohio musical talents, oWOW was able to continue broadcasting for an extended period.
Gorman reports, “Through 2020, oWOW’s online streaming ratings were 20 percent above last summer’s numbers, but the numerous COVID-19 business closures prevented oWOW from a conversion to sales in a stagnant advertising market.”
WOW Media, LLC, the parent company of oWOW.radio was established 2014 by Gorman and the late Jim Marchyshyn and began streaming in February 2015 with an air staff that included fellow Cleveland radio icons Ravenna Miceli and Steve Pappas. Gorman and Pappas will continue to work together on future broadcast projects. The album, oWOW Presents NEO — The Soundtrack will still be available through oWOW.radio and eBay.com.
