 | |
| Broadcast area | Jacksonville metro area |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 96.9MHz (HD Radio) |
| Branding | 96.9 The Eagle |
| Programming | |
| Language | English |
| Format | Classic hits-Classic rock |
| Subchannels | HD2: Power 106.1 (Urban contemporary) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner |
|
| History | |
First air date | July 1,1969 (as WRLJ) |
Former call signs | WRLJ (1969–1971) WPDQ-FM (1971–1975) WAIV-FM (1975–1990) WKQL (1990–2005) |
Call sign meaning | Jacksonville EaGLe |
| Technical information[1] | |
Licensing authority | FCC |
| Facility ID | 53590 |
| Class | C |
| ERP | 100,000 watts |
| HAAT | 309 meters (1,014 ft) |
Transmitter coordinates | 30°16′34.00″N81°33′53.00″W / 30.2761111°N 81.5647222°W /30.2761111; -81.5647222 |
| Translator(s) | HD2: 106.1 W291CI (Jacksonville) |
| Links | |
Public license information | |
| Webcast | Listen live Listen live (via Audacy) Listen live (HD2) Listen live (via Audacy) (HD2) |
| Website | www www |
WJGL (96.9MHz, "96.9 The Eagle") is acommercialFMradio station inJacksonville, Florida. The station is owned byCox Radio, a division of theCox Media Group.[2] WJGL airs aclassic hitsradio format that leans towardsclassic rock, playing primarily rock songs from the 1970s, 80s and some 90s, while avoiding pop/dance artists such asMichael Jackson,Prince andMadonna.
The station's studios and offices are located on Belfort Parkway in Jacksonville'sSouthside district.[3] Thetransmitter is off Hogan Road in theArlington neighborhood.[4] WJGL is aClass C FM station, running at aneffective radiated power (ERP) of 100,000watts, from a tower at 1,014 feet (309 m) inheight above average terrain (HAAT). Its signal stretches from theGeorgia coast to south ofSt. Augustine, Florida.
WJGL broadcasts in theHD Radio format. WJGL's HD2 channel carries anurban contemporary format, which is also heard on 225-watttranslator stationW291CI, calling itself "Power 106.1."
The 96.9 frequency originally was the home of WJHP-FM which first began experimental broadcasts in 1947, before any other FM stations were on the air in Jacksonville.[5] It was the FM counterpart toAM 1320 WJHP (nowWJNJ). It was owned by The Metropolis Company, a division ofTheJacksonville Journal, a defunct afternoon newspaper. WJHP-FM mostlysimulcast the programming of WJHP.
In 1960, thecall sign was changed to WZFM.[6] The call letters switched again in 1961 to WZOK-FM. But with FM radio still in its early days, the stationsigned off in 1962. The license was returned to theFederal Communications Commission (FCC) and the frequency remained unoccupied for seven years. WZOK's call-letters later went toRockford, Illinois.
On July 1, 1969, a new stationsigned on at 96.9 MHz as WRLJ.[7] It was owned by Beck Broadcasting, which also ownedAM 600 WPDQ (nowWBOB). While WPDQ was aTop 40 station, WRLJ playedbeautiful music. A couple of years after going on the air, the station picked up the call letters of its AMsister station, becoming WPDQ-FM.
In 1975, the two stations were sold to Rounsaville Broadcasting of Jacksonville (later Affiliated Broadcasting).[8] AM 600 becamemiddle of the road formatted WMBR while 96.9 became WAIV, aprogressive rock outlet. Because Jacksonville is on theAtlantic Coast, the call sign represented the word "Wave."
In 1980, the call letters for AM 600 were switched to match the FM station, becoming WAIV and WAIV-FM. Both stations were Top 40 outlets. At the time, the FCC would not allow an AM and an FM station in medium to large cities to simulcast full-time, so the two stations shared some hours and were separately programmed most hours.
By the mid-1980s, AM 600 had becomeWOKV, atalk radio station (later moving toAM 690), while WAIV-FM switched toadult contemporary.[9]
In 1986, both stations were bought byEZ Communications and in 1990, the FM station became WKQL, "Kool 96.9." It featured anoldies format.[10]
In 2000, WKQL and WOKV were bought byCox Radio, Inc., the current owner.[11] In 2005, WKQL changed call letters to the current WJGL, shifted to classic hits, and rebranded as "96.9 The Eagle." The station eliminated most 1960s music and the pop and dance artists, focusing on rock songs of the 1970s, 80s and some 90s.