WJGL broadcasts in the HD Radio format. WJGL's HD2 channel carries an urban contemporary format, which is also heard on 225-watt translator stationW291CI, calling itself "Power 106.1."
History
WJHP-FM, WZFM, WZOK-FM
The 96.9 frequency originally was the home of WJHP-FM which first began experimental broadcasts in 1947, before any other FM stations were on the air in Jacksonville.[5] It was the FM counterpart to AM 1320 WJHP (now WJNJ). It was owned by The Metropolis Company, a division of The Jacksonville Journal, a defunct afternoon newspaper. WJHP-FM mostly simulcast the programming of WJHP.
In 1960, the call sign was changed to WZFM.[6] The call letters switched again in 1961 to WZOK-FM. But with FM radio still in its early days, the station signed off in 1962. The license was returned to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the frequency remained unoccupied for seven years. WZOK's call-letters later went to Rockford, Illinois.
WRLJ, WPDQ-FM
On July 1, 1969, a new station signed on at 96.9 MHz as WRLJ.[7] It was owned by Beck Broadcasting, which also owned AM 600 WPDQ (now WBOB). While WPDQ was a Top 40 station, WRLJ played beautiful music. A couple of years after going on the air, the station picked up the call letters of its AM sister station, becoming WPDQ-FM.
WAIV
In 1975, the two stations were sold to Rounsaville Broadcasting of Jacksonville (later Affiliated Broadcasting).[8] AM 600 became middle of the road formatted WMBR while 96.9 became WAIV, a progressive rock outlet. Because Jacksonville is on the Atlantic Coast, the call sign represented the word "Wave."
In 1980, the call letters for AM 600 were switched to match the FM station, becoming WAIV and WAIV-FM. Both stations were Top 40 outlets. At the time, the FCC would not allow an AM and an FM station in medium to large cities to simulcast full-time, so the two stations shared some hours and were separately programmed most hours.
In 1986, both stations were bought by EZ Communications and in 1990, the FM station became WKQL, "Kool 96.9." It featured an oldies format.[10]
WJGL
In 2000, WKQL and WOKV were bought by Cox Radio, Inc., the current owner.[11] In 2005, WKQL changed call letters to the current WJGL, shifted to classic hits, and rebranded as "96.9 The Eagle." The station eliminated most 1960s music and the pop and dance artists, focusing on rock songs of the 1970s, 80s and some 90s.
