JVC Media has announced that CHR “Q92” 92.1 WECQ Destin/Fort Walton Beach FL will flip to Rock/Alternative “Rock 92.1” on Wednesday, September 1 at 12pm.
The new brand will feature Rock and guitar based Alternative with Foo Fighters, Van Halen, Mammoth WVH, Shinedown, Offspring, Led Zeppelin and Incubus listed as artists to be heard. Positioned as Gulf Coast’s Rock Alternative, the station’s inaugural lineup will include OM/PD Woofy Ramone in middays and JT in afternoons from 2-7pm. The station will launch with a jockless “More Music Mornings” presentation.
The new format targets Cumulus Media’s market leading “99 Rock” WKSM, which was programmed by Ramone until he jumped to JVC in April. WKSM had a 6.2 share in the Spring 2021 Nielsen Audio ratings, while WECQ was at a 2.2.
JVC Media of Florida, one of America’s largest independent and locally owned broadcast and entertainment companies, continues to bring top-quality live and local entertainment options to the markets they serve with the announcement of a new radio format for 92.1 WECQ-FM in the Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL market. Beginning Wednesday September 1st, 2021 at 12pm CDT, 92.1 will be known as ROCK 92.1 – The Gulf Coast Rock Alternative, playing an Active Rock format specifically formulated, designed, and cultivated to ROCK the Emerald Coast.
When asked about the decision to launch the new station, JVC Fort Walton Beach Operations Manager Woofy Ramone explained, “ROCK 92.1 – The Gulf Coast Rock Alternative is just that, an ALTERNATIVE to what the market has had over the years. ROCK 92.1 is being built with the Emerald Coast as it’s focus. We’re going to play a vast library of all this market’s favorite Rock and guitar-driven Alternative songs. At times, we’ll even throw in some regional and local music. ROCK 92.1 will be LOCAL – focusing on events, charities, businesses, and organizations that benefit our community with people who live and work LOCALLY.”
JVC Florida Director of Programming Stevie DeMann continues, “There is a clear need for a locally formatted alternative to what the Emerald Coast had to listen to over the years. You’ll hear Foo Fighters, Van Halen, Eddie’s son Wolfgang’s band MAMMOTH WVH, Shinedown, The Offspring, Led Zeppelin, Incubus… there will be a HUGE playlist on ROCK 92.1. Basically, if you love it, we’re going to play it. Woofy Ramone’s 30+ years of Emerald Coast ROCK expertise will be leading ROCK 92.1 – and we’re so excited his familiar voice will be on the air Monday through Friday 10am-2pm. And I can’t stress enough that JVC’s desire for all things LOCAL will be evident on ROCK 92.1 with local personalities, local contests, and local winners!”
“JVC’s commitment to the Emerald Coast and all of our markets is to grow our culture of great LOCAL radio for our listeners and clients,” JVC Executive Shane Reeve says. “The addition of ROCK 92.1 is what the Emerald Coast has been begging for – a REAL ALTERNATIVE that plays GREAT ROCK music. At JVC, we pride ourselves on the ability to super-serve local clients – that includes our listeners and businesses with the best local events, promotions, and results. (JVC CEO) John Caracciolo and I are so excited for the future on the Emerald Coast and can’t wait to see the impact of ROCK 92.1 on the market!”
ROCK 92.1 will feature More Music Mornings from 6am-10am, Woofy 10am-2pm, and JT 2pm-7pm. Additional airstaff will be announced after the launch on Wednesday September 1st, 2021.
Original Report 8/24: JVC Media CHR “Q92” 92.1 WECQ Destin/Fort Walton Beach FL is teasing a format change on Wednesday, September 1.
WECQ is telling listeners “changes are coming” at noon on 9/1 ahead of the Labor Day holiday weekend. With longtime “99 Rock” 99.5 WKSM Program Director Woofy Ramone joining JVC Media as Operations Manager in April, will the station move to compete against Cumulus’ market leading Rocker? The JVC cluster did feature a Rock station until “103.1 The Shark” WZLB flipped to Hot Talk “Florida Man Radio” on March 1.
WECQ currently has a 2.2 share placing it well behind Cumulus Media’s competing “Z96.5” WZNS Fort Walton Beach’s 5.3 share in the Spring 2021 Nielsen Audio ratings.
