WJJS
Encyclopedia
WJJS and WJJX are Rhythmic contemporary
formatted broadcast
radio station
s.
WJJS is licensed to Roanoke, Virginia
, serving the Metro Roanoke area. WJJX is licensed to Appomattox, Virginia
, serving the Metro Lynchburg
area.
Both WJJS and WJJX are owned and operated by Clear Channel Communications
.
direction as "Power 101.7" to Rhythmic Top 40
as "Jammin' 101.7". It also expanded its reach into Roanoke when it acquired 106.1 WWFO and made the station its simulcast on January 18, 1994. When this happened, the original WJJS call letters were assigned to the 106.1 frequency and 101.7 became WJJX. The history of WJJS dates back many years before this change, however, having broadcast on 1320 AM
for quite some time as a traditional R&B station serving Lynchburg, Virginia.
By 1998 they shifted to Contemporary Hit Radio
/Top 40 Mainstream and began a serious challenge to take on the area's longtime rival WXLK in a battle would last for nearly seven years, even though they maintained a Rhythmic lean during that tenure.
But by 2005 WJJS-FM/WJJX would start shifting back towards a pure Rhythmic direction as they began phasing out non-Rhythmic product, resulting in a complete return to Rhythmic Top 40 in the Spring of 2006.
At noon on December 17, 2007, WJJS and WJJX moved from 106.1 FM and 101.7 FM to 104.9 FM and 102.7 FM.
On May 11, 2009, WJJS and WJJX began carrying "Elvis Duran and the Morning Show" from 6 to 10am. Morning show team "Styles & Nicky" were moved to afternoon drive.
104.9 WJJS signed in on June 4, 1992 as WLUB on and then quickly became WVRV on September 1, 1992.
In late 1993, the frequencies 104.9 and 102.7 began a simulcast, becoming "Oldies 105 and 102.7". On December 15, 1993, the WRDJ callsign was moved from 105.1 FM, located in Bridgewater, Virginia
, to 104.9 FM, while on November 30, 1993, 102.7 FM became WLDJ. In 1998, WRDJ traded frequencies with then-WVMJ
in Blacksburg in order for both stations to boost power (becoming Class C3), thus making the stations "Oldies 104.9 and 102.7".
In early 2001, low ratings led to a few days of stunting as "Elvis 104.9 and 102.7" until a new Hot Adult Contemporary format was launched on February 21, 2001, branded as "Magic FM," with 104.9 FM becoming WMGR-FM and 102.7 FM becoming WMJA.
In 2004, WMGR-FM boosted power yet again (becoming Class C2), and just after noon on March 10, 2005, WMGR-FM at 104.9 FM was flipped to Country
as "104.9 The Bull", while WMJA at 102.7 FM became a simulcast of WSNV
at 93.5 FM, carrying a Light Adult Contemporary format as "Sunny FM". A week later on March 15, the callsign for 104.9 FM was changed to WZBL, while 102.7 FM became WSNZ. On February 18, 2006, WZBL at 104.9 FM segued to Classic Country
and kept its "The Bull" branding.
At noon on December 17, 2007, WZBL at 104.9 FM swapped calls and formats with WJJS-FM at 106.1 FM, and WSNV at 102.7 FM swapped with WJJX at 101.7 FM. This once again reunited 104.9 FM with 102.7 FM and made the pair "104.9 & 102.7 Jammin' JJS." The WZBL callsign and Classic Country
format remained on 106.1 FM until March 28, 2009 when the Classic Country
format was dropped a day earlier and the call sign was changed to WSFF.
Audio of 102.7 FM frequency change: http://data.quelorant.com/audio/1027-Sunny-WJJX.mp3
Rhythmic Contemporary
Rhythmic contemporary, also known as rhythmic top 40, rhythmic contemporary hit radio or rhythmic crossover, is a music radio format that includes a mix of EDM, upbeat rhythmic pop, hip-hop and R&B hits. Rhythmic contemporary rarely uses rock music or country music in its airplay, but it may...
formatted broadcast
Broadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
radio station
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
s.
WJJS is licensed to Roanoke, Virginia
Roanoke, Virginia
Roanoke is an independent city in the Mid-Atlantic U.S. state of Virginia and is the tenth-largest city in the Commonwealth. It is located in the Roanoke Valley of the Roanoke Region of Virginia. The population within the city limits was 97,032 as of 2010...
, serving the Metro Roanoke area. WJJX is licensed to Appomattox, Virginia
Appomattox, Virginia
Appomattox is a town in Appomattox County, Virginia, United States. The population was 1,761 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Appomattox County.Appomattox is part of the Lynchburg Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
, serving the Metro Lynchburg
Lynchburg, Virginia
Lynchburg is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The population was 75,568 as of 2010. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the banks of the James River, Lynchburg is known as the "City of Seven Hills" or "The Hill City." Lynchburg was the only major city in...
area.
Both WJJS and WJJX are owned and operated by Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. is an American media conglomerate company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. It was founded in 1972 by Lowry Mays and Red McCombs, and was taken private by Bain Capital LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners LP in a leveraged buyout in 2008...
.
History of "Jammin' JJS" Format
WJJS-FM & WJJX began their history when 101.7 WJJX in Lynchburg evolved from a R&B/Hip-HopUrban contemporary
Urban contemporary is a music radio format. The term was coined by the late New York DJ Frankie Crocker in the mid 1970s. Urban contemporary radio stations feature a playlist made up entirely of hip hop/rap, contemporary R&B, pop, electronica such as dubstep and drum and bass and Caribbean music...
direction as "Power 101.7" to Rhythmic Top 40
Rhythmic Contemporary
Rhythmic contemporary, also known as rhythmic top 40, rhythmic contemporary hit radio or rhythmic crossover, is a music radio format that includes a mix of EDM, upbeat rhythmic pop, hip-hop and R&B hits. Rhythmic contemporary rarely uses rock music or country music in its airplay, but it may...
as "Jammin' 101.7". It also expanded its reach into Roanoke when it acquired 106.1 WWFO and made the station its simulcast on January 18, 1994. When this happened, the original WJJS call letters were assigned to the 106.1 frequency and 101.7 became WJJX. The history of WJJS dates back many years before this change, however, having broadcast on 1320 AM
WVGM
WVGM is a Sports Radio formatted broadcast radio station affiliated with ESPN Radio.WVGM is licensed to Lynchburg, Virginia, serving the Metro Lynchburg area...
for quite some time as a traditional R&B station serving Lynchburg, Virginia.
By 1998 they shifted to Contemporary Hit Radio
Contemporary hit radio
Contemporary hit radio is a radio format that is common in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia that focuses on playing current and recurrent popular music as determined by the Top 40 music charts...
/Top 40 Mainstream and began a serious challenge to take on the area's longtime rival WXLK in a battle would last for nearly seven years, even though they maintained a Rhythmic lean during that tenure.
But by 2005 WJJS-FM/WJJX would start shifting back towards a pure Rhythmic direction as they began phasing out non-Rhythmic product, resulting in a complete return to Rhythmic Top 40 in the Spring of 2006.
At noon on December 17, 2007, WJJS and WJJX moved from 106.1 FM and 101.7 FM to 104.9 FM and 102.7 FM.
On May 11, 2009, WJJS and WJJX began carrying "Elvis Duran and the Morning Show" from 6 to 10am. Morning show team "Styles & Nicky" were moved to afternoon drive.
Combined 104.9/102.7 History
102.7 WJJX signed in on March 28, 1989 as WZST and then became WVLR on March 16, 1992.104.9 WJJS signed in on June 4, 1992 as WLUB on and then quickly became WVRV on September 1, 1992.
In late 1993, the frequencies 104.9 and 102.7 began a simulcast, becoming "Oldies 105 and 102.7". On December 15, 1993, the WRDJ callsign was moved from 105.1 FM, located in Bridgewater, Virginia
Bridgewater, Virginia
Bridgewater is an incorporated town in Rockingham County, Virginia, United States. The population was 5,644 at the 2010 census. It is included in the Harrisonburg, Virginia Metropolitan Statistical Area. Bridgewater is home to the Reds of the Rockingham County Baseball League...
, to 104.9 FM, while on November 30, 1993, 102.7 FM became WLDJ. In 1998, WRDJ traded frequencies with then-WVMJ
WBRW
WBRW is an Active Rock formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Blacksburg, Virginia, serving the New River Valley. WBRW is owned and operated by Cumulus Media.-External links:*...
in Blacksburg in order for both stations to boost power (becoming Class C3), thus making the stations "Oldies 104.9 and 102.7".
In early 2001, low ratings led to a few days of stunting as "Elvis 104.9 and 102.7" until a new Hot Adult Contemporary format was launched on February 21, 2001, branded as "Magic FM," with 104.9 FM becoming WMGR-FM and 102.7 FM becoming WMJA.
In 2004, WMGR-FM boosted power yet again (becoming Class C2), and just after noon on March 10, 2005, WMGR-FM at 104.9 FM was flipped to Country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
as "104.9 The Bull", while WMJA at 102.7 FM became a simulcast of WSNV
WSNV
WSNV is a Light Adult Contemporary formatted broadcast radio stationlicensed to Salem, Virginia, serving Metro Roanoke. WSNV is owned and operated by Clear Channel Communications....
at 93.5 FM, carrying a Light Adult Contemporary format as "Sunny FM". A week later on March 15, the callsign for 104.9 FM was changed to WZBL, while 102.7 FM became WSNZ. On February 18, 2006, WZBL at 104.9 FM segued to Classic Country
Classic country
Classic country is a music radio format that specializes in playing mainstream country hits from past decades.This genre generally follows one of two formats: those specializing in hits from the 1920s through the early 1970s, and focus primarily on innovators and artists from country music's Golden...
and kept its "The Bull" branding.
At noon on December 17, 2007, WZBL at 104.9 FM swapped calls and formats with WJJS-FM at 106.1 FM, and WSNV at 102.7 FM swapped with WJJX at 101.7 FM. This once again reunited 104.9 FM with 102.7 FM and made the pair "104.9 & 102.7 Jammin' JJS." The WZBL callsign and Classic Country
Classic country
Classic country is a music radio format that specializes in playing mainstream country hits from past decades.This genre generally follows one of two formats: those specializing in hits from the 1920s through the early 1970s, and focus primarily on innovators and artists from country music's Golden...
format remained on 106.1 FM until March 28, 2009 when the Classic Country
Classic country
Classic country is a music radio format that specializes in playing mainstream country hits from past decades.This genre generally follows one of two formats: those specializing in hits from the 1920s through the early 1970s, and focus primarily on innovators and artists from country music's Golden...
format was dropped a day earlier and the call sign was changed to WSFF.
Audio of 102.7 FM frequency change: http://data.quelorant.com/audio/1027-Sunny-WJJX.mp3