You’re driving down the E.C. Row Expressway, or maybe you're cutting through the tunnel into Detroit, and you reach for the dial. For decades, hitting 580 on the AM band was like stepping into a time machine. It was the home of "Motor City Favorites," that warm, crackly place where the Supremes and Bob Seger lived in eternal rotation. But if you’ve tuned in lately, things feel different.
Honestly, the radio landscape in Windsor-Detroit has been a bit of a rollercoaster. AM 580 Radio Windsor, officially known by its call sign CKWW, hasn't just changed its playlist—it’s changed its entire soul.
The Big Shakeup of 2024
Let’s get the facts straight because there was a lot of confusion when the signal went fuzzy for a minute. For years, CKWW was owned by Bell Media. They ran it as a nostalgic powerhouse, leaning heavily on the "Big 8" legacy of its sister station, CKLW. But in 2023, Bell decided they were done with a handful of AM stations across Canada. They basically put them up for a fire sale.
Enter Neeti P. Ray and the CINA Radio Group.
Ray, who already owned CINA-FM in Windsor, saw something in the 580 frequency that the corporate giants didn't. The sale was approved in June 2024, and by August, the "oldies" format we all knew—the one that played 1950s crooners and early 60s doo-wop—was officially retired.
From Oldies to Classic Hits
The new management didn't just tweak the knobs; they pivoted.
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If you tune in now, you’re hearing Classic Hits. We’re talking about a heavy lean into the 1970s and 1980s. While some long-time listeners were bummed to lose the 50s tracks, the station’s new General Manager, Al Pervin, was pretty blunt about why they did it. The ratings for the old-school format just weren't hitting the marks. They needed to get younger, or at least "less old."
The music is still there, but the vibe is tighter. You'll hear The Cars, Bruce Springsteen, and Gino Vannelli. It feels less like a dusty attic and more like a curated collection of songs that actually defined the Windsor-Detroit border culture during the peak of the automotive era.
The Morning Show Evolution
The biggest change is the human element. Mark Lander and Kara Ro took over the morning slot (6 AM to 10 AM), and they’ve brought a specific kind of energy that was missing. Lander spent two decades over at CIDR-FM, and Ro is a veteran with deep roots at CKLW.
They aren't just spinning records. They’re talking about:
- Local Windsor politics and the ever-changing Walkerville parking rules.
- Weird news like "high-voltage Tickle Me Elmos" (seriously).
- Relatable stuff like bringing your parents to a job interview (don't do it).
It’s local. That’s the keyword. While other stations are syndicating shows from Toronto or the US, AM 580 is trying to be Windsor’s "water cooler" again.
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Why the 580 Signal is Weird
Ever noticed how the signal is crystal clear in some spots but disappears the moment you drive behind a large building?
That’s because CKWW operates on a 500-watt transmitter. In the world of radio, that’s basically a flashlight compared to the 50,000-watt searchlight of CKLW 800. The towers are located out on Concession Road 4 North in Amherstburg.
Because they have to protect other stations on the 580 frequency in the U.S. and Canada, they use a directional antenna. It points mostly northeast. If you’re in downtown Windsor or Detroit, you’re golden. If you’re deep in the county or heading too far south into Ohio, the "magic of radio" starts to turn into static real fast.
Is AM Radio Dying?
People keep saying AM is dead, but Windsor is a weird exception.
Because we’re a border town, our AM dial has always been louder and more influential than almost anywhere else in North America. AM 580 is leaning into this by emphasizing local information. They’ve added more news segments and information-heavy programming, trying to fill the gap left by larger stations that have cut their local reporting staff.
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They still pay homage to the "legendary studios of The Big 8" at 1640 Ouellette Avenue, but they aren't stuck in 1964 anymore. It’s a survival tactic. By mixing 70s rock with actual local talk, they’re betting that Windsorites still want to hear a neighbor’s voice rather than an AI-generated playlist.
How to Listen Now
If the 500-watt signal is giving you trouble, the "new" AM 580 is actually pretty tech-forward.
- The App: You can find them on the CINA Radio app (you have to download it and then select "Windsor").
- Smart Speakers: Just say "Alexa, play CKWW" and it usually works, provided she doesn't think you said "CKLW."
- Web Stream: Their website, am580ckww.com, stays pretty updated with a "recently played" list so you can find that one song you didn't recognize.
The Verdict on the New Format
Change is hard. If you grew up listening to the 580 "Memories" era, the shift to 80s hits might feel like a betrayal. But honestly? The station was at risk of disappearing entirely. Bell Media was ready to pull the plug.
The fact that a local-ish owner like Neeti P. Ray stepped in to keep the frequency alive is a win for Windsor. It keeps jobs in the city and keeps a local voice on the airwaves.
Next Steps for Listeners:
If you haven't checked out the station since the 2024 relaunch, give the morning show a try for a few days. It's the best way to get a pulse on what's actually happening in Windsor without having to scroll through social media. You can also head to their website to check out the "Mornings with Mark and Kara" podcasts if you missed the live broadcast, which is a great way to catch up on local interviews you won't hear on the Detroit stations.