As JVC Broadcasting prepares to close on its $1.25 million purchase of Magic Broadcasting’s four stations in Panama City FL, a major shakeup of the cluster may fallow.
JVC began its changes by making Conservative Talk 101.1 WYOO Springfield part of its “Florida Man Radio” network along with 103.1 WZLB Valparaiso/Fort Walton Beach and 104.9 WYGC High Springs/Gainesville at the start of August. Now Rock “97X” 97.7 WYYX Bonifay will also begin simulcasting one of the company’s Fort Walton Beach stations as it joins with “92.1 The Bone” WBON Destin as “92.1/97.7 The Bone“. New WBOE call letters are pending for WYYX.
The simulcast will start on Friday, August 29 at 9am with ten days of commercial-free music through Sunday, September 7. The WBON lineup of Program Director/morning host Matt Stone, midday host Ski, and afternoon host Mary Jo remain in place, while WYYX morning host Eddy ‘RBG’ Lungs will join for nights and midday host Roxy will host overnights.
JVC Broadcasting owner John Caracciolo said, “92.1 The Bone became a success because we listened to the listeners. They wanted more variety, fewer commercials, and a station that actually feels alive. Bringing The Bone to Panama City Beach wasn’t just a business decision—it was an answer to the audience. The people wanted something different and now they’ve got it.”
The Bone brand launched in Fort Walton Beach last December following a revamp of the former “Rock 92.1” WECQ with a broad playlist of Rock music from the past six decades.
Director of Programming Matt Stone added, “We’ve proven in Fort Walton Beach that creating rock radio for rock music fans works. Listeners are more engaged, they’re passionate, and they’re telling us every day this is what they’ve been waiting for. We can’t wait to share the Bone with Panama City and Southern Alabama.”
John Griffo, who serves as Market Manager for JVC’s stations in both Fort Walton Beach and Panama City followed, “Rock listeners are tired of repetition and endless commercials. At The Bone, we keep the focus where it belongs—on the music. That’s why we run limited commercials and feature three daily 92-minute commercial-free blocks. Since the launch in December our WBON-FM app has thousands of downloads all over the world. This isn’t just another radio station; it’s a movement and now, that movement covers Panama City Beach, too.”
The changes in Panama City may not be done. JVC has applied for call letter changes at the two other stations it is acquiring. Classic Country “Wild Willie 100.1” WWLY Panama City Beach will become WRXB, while heritage CHR “Island 106” 105.9 WILN Panama City applied to become WWVV, which appears to be very close to Variety Hits “102.1 The Wave” WWAV Santa Rosa Beach/Fort Walton Beach.
This story first appeared on radioinsight.com