WXXJ

WXXJ (102.9 FM, branded X-one-oh-two-nine) is a modern rock radio station in the Jacksonville, Florida market (the No. 46 market in the Arbitron ratings), broadcasting at 102.9 FM. It is owned by Atlanta-based Cox Radio, Inc.

History

102.9 in Jacksonville first went on air in 1965, and was a "sister station" to WIVY-AM (1050), both owned by New York announcer Ed Oberle. In 1971, Oberle sold the pair to another New York announcer, Tom Kirby, who converted WIVY-FM to album-oriented rock (AOR). Kirby sold it to Infinity Radio in 1976, who changed it to Top-40 "Y-103." Cox purchased the station in 1997 and changed its calls to WMXQ and flipped the format to hot adult contemporary as "Mix 103." Cox flipped the station to all-1980s music in 2000, as "102.9 The Point."^[1]

102.9 flipped to its current modern rock format on Feb. 25, 2009 at 5:55 a.m. The first song on the new "X-102.9" was "Chop Suey" by System of a Down because of the opening lyrics, "wake up." The last song heard on "102.9 The Point" was the first song played nine years earlier, "Don't You Forget About Me" by Simple Minds. The station was launched to compete with heritage modern rock station WPLA. X102-9 was different than "Planet Radio" because it played a wider variety, focused on newer music, and did not have a chatty morning show.

The station quickly rose in the ratings, beating rival WPLA. On August 4, 2010, WPLA dropped its longtime modern rock format in favor of classic hits. This left WXXJ as the only modern rock station in Jacksonville. Shortly after this change, Cox altered its classic rock station WFYV into a mainstream rock direction.

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