Cox Media Group will launch “ESPN 690” on WOKV Jacksonville FL in January.
The move will break the simulcast of WOKV and News/Talk 104.5 WOKV-FM. Currently leading the Jacksonville market with a 10.6 share, the move will conclude the shift of WOKV’s programming from AM to FM that began in 2006 when it began simulcasting on 106.5. WOKV-FM then moved from the 6kW Class A signal of 106.5 to the 100kW Class C 104.5 signal in May 2013.
The new “ESPN 690” will carry the national ESPN Radio programming lineup with the exception of 3-6pm, which is listed as TBD. WOKV will become the third Sports station in the Jacksonville market joining Seven Bridges Radio’s “1010 XL” WJXL/92.5 WJXL-FM and iHeartMedia’s “930 The Game” WFXJ.
Beginning in January 2019, ESPN will join Cox Media Group’s (CMG) radio portfolio to provide local and nationwide sports coverage in Jacksonville. The new station, ESPN 690-AM, will replace WOKV 690-AM. NEWS 104.5 WOKV-FM will continue to be a source for local news, weather, traffic and informative talk for listeners in Northeast Florida.
“We’re very excited to expand the coverage of ESPN Sports in Jacksonville,” said Dan Lawrie, market vice president for Cox Media Group Jacksonville. “From NFL football, to college sports, to high school football, we can cover more sports for Jacksonville sports fans than any other local radio station.”
“The possibilities are endless with ESPN 690AM!” said Nick Figueredo, director of branding and programming for ESPN 690 Jacksonville. “We are excited to cover Jacksonville sports the CMG way!”
Here’s a look at some of the weekday sports shows to be featured on the new ESPN 690 AM:
4 a.m. – First & Last, hosted by Mike Golic Jr.
6 a.m. – Golic and Wingo, hosted by Mike Golic and Trey Wingo
10 a.m. – The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
1 p.m. – The Stephen A. Smith Show
3 p.m. – TBD
6 p.m. – Spain & Fitz, hosted by Sarah Spain and Jason Fitz
9 p.m. – Freddie and Fitzsimmons, hosted by Freddie Coleman and Ian Fitzsimmons
This would also be the second attempt at all-sports by Cox in the market; they operated then-WBWL/600 in the late 1990s before selling it off to Disney/ABC.