iHeartMedia dropped the Alternative “Alt 95.3” programming on 95.3 W237BZ Clayton/Raleigh, 95.1 W236CA Durham and 105.1 WDCG-HD2 to begin stunting as “Christmas 95.3“.

The move beats Capitol Broadcasting AC “Mix 101.5” WRAL-FM to first in the Raleigh/Durham market to go all-Christmas. The flip took place at 10am with Gene Autry’s “Here Comes Santa Claus” kicking off the holiday brand.

The Alternative format debuted in November 2012 as “95X” before rebranding as “Alt 95.3” in January 2018. With ratings at once in the 2’s, the station registered a 0.9 share in the October 2021 Nielsen Audio ratings.

iHeartMedia Raleigh announced today the debut of Christmas Music on Christmas 95.3, a new holiday music station for listeners in the Raleigh community. The New Christmas 95.3 will broadcast around-the-clock festive music from Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole as well as contemporary holiday music from Mariah Carey, Mannheim Steamroller, Kelly Clarkson and more leading into the holiday season.

iHeartMedia is the leading media outlet in the Raleigh market with multiple platforms, including its broadcast stations; live events; data; and its digital businesses and platforms, including mobile, social and its own iHeartRadio, the leading all-in-one streaming music and live radio service – with 3 billion app downloads and more than 150 million registered users.

Fans can listen to The New Christmas 95.3 on 95.3 and 95.1 or the station’s website, christmas953.com, as well as on iHeartRadio.com and the app.

Beginning today, November 11th, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.

“We are thrilled to announce the launch of Christmas music on our new holiday music station, Christmas 95.3, Raleigh’s New Home for the Holidays,” said A.J., Senior Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia Raleigh. “It’s exciting to spread holiday cheer in Raleigh and The Triangle with non-stop Christmas favorites throughout the Holiday Season.”