iHeartMedia has dropped the Sports format from “105.7 The Zone” WXZX Hilliard/Columbus OH and has returned the station to its former Classic Rock “105.7 The Brew” identity.
WXZX previously utilized the Brew branding from 2005 to 2014 prior to flipping to Alternative and later Sports. The station will be branding as “The New Generation of Classic Rock” and feature music from the 80s through 2000s with core artists including AC/DC, Foo Fighters, Tom Petty, Soundgarden, Van Halen, Metallica, Mötley Crüe and Guns N’ Roses. That will position WXZX between Saga Classic Rock “QFM 96” WLVQ and NABCO Active Rock “99.7 The Blitz” WRKZ.
Mark Blazor, current afternoon host at iHeartMedia News/Talk 610 WTVN and former morning host at “99.7 The Blitz” will add mornings at WXZX. DaveMan, who hosts 6-7pm on WTVN, will host afternoons on WXZX. Theresa, based at KTBZ Houston, will host middays and WBIG-FM Washington DC’s Bodhi will be heard in nights.
WXZX never gained traction with its Sports format; registering a 0.7 share in the Holiday 2018 Nielsen Audio ratings. Dispatch Broadcasting’s competing “97.1 The Fan” WBNS-FM held a 5.3 share.
iHeartMedia Columbus announced today the return of 105.7 The Brew, The New Generation of Classic Rock, effective immediately.
105.7 The Brew will broadcast rock music spanning from the 80s into the 2000s, including songs from artists such as AC/DC, Foo Fighters, Tom Petty, Soundgarden, Van Halen, Metallica, Mötley Crüe and Guns N’ Roses. The station will also feature Columbus rock veteran on-air personalities, Mark Blazor and DaveMan.
“We are excited to offer a unique station for Columbus’ rock listeners,” said Michael McCoy, Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia Columbus. “The Brew’s mission is to provide one great rock song after another and that’s why we call it the new generation of Classic Rock.”
Full Programming Lineup:
Mark Blazor 6 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Theresa 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
DaveMan 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Bodhi 7 p.m.– midnight
Les Talk 
Nathan Obral
The market had too many sports stations. And, HAS too many urban stations for the area’s demos. None of them are a ratings success.
The only sports stations in the market now are WBNS 1460 (now running ESPN Radio off the bird) and WBNS 97.1 (all live/local after Golic & Wingo). 97.1 gets ratings because they are the flagship of The Ohio State Buckeyes and the Columbus Blue Jackets.
It doesn’t matter if it was Wilks with 95.5 or iHeart with 105.7, the market can’t support two all-sports stations when WBNS has both of the major draws in the market. That doesn’t mean that Columbus has “too many sports stations.”