For the first time since we began tracking in 2011, it appears we will make it to Halloween without a radio station already having started playing Christmas music through the holiday season.
Cumulus AC “Magic 99.5” KMGA Albuquerque is playing Christmas music this weekend, but will return to regular programming on Monday while asking listeners to vote on when they should make their move for the season.
The previous two years saw very early Christmas music launches with Oldies “Z104” WWIZ Middlesex PA/Youngstown OH switching on September 25, 2020 and being one of two stations along with 97.9 WXMS Au Sable NY/Burlington VT to switch on October 1, 2021.
The 2010s had consistent early launches from WEZW Wildwood NJ on 10/17/2011, 10/17/2014, and 10/20/2017. Stunting signals would start earlier in other years with KYXE Yakima WA on 10/12/2012, K265CA Albuquerque on August 31 in 2013, W261BX Birmingham on 9/25/2015, and KOMC Branson MO on 10/1/2016. Like this year, 2018 and 2019 saw later starts to the holiday music with WTRV Grand Rapids launching on October 30, 2018 and WWIZ on 10/25/2019.
Earlier this month, we noted on a domain for one potential stunt to launch, but at this point it has not made a move. One other station had a domain registered this week for a potential stunt brand ahead of a format change.
