WEXX

WEXX (99.3 FM), branded as 99.3 The X, is an alternative rock radio station licensed to Elizabethton, Tennessee, United States, serving the Tri-Cities region including Johnson City, Kingsport, and Bristol.^[1][2][3] The station is owned and operated by Bristol Broadcasting Company, Inc., a privately held corporation based in Bristol, Virginia, that manages multiple radio outlets across several markets.^[1][4] WEXX broadcasts with an effective radiated power of 4,400 watts as a Class C3 FM station, with its transmitter located at coordinates 36° 24' 07" N, 82° 12' 11" W and an antenna height of 243.8 meters above average terrain.^[1] Its main studio is situated at 901 East Valley Drive in Bristol, Virginia.^[1][5] The station's programming emphasizes new alternative rock music, featuring daily playlists, the "X List" of emerging tracks, and segments like "TOP 5 @ 5 with Max," alongside syndicated shows such as Out of Order with Stryker.^[3] WEXX also extends its reach via a low-power translator, W291CP (106.1 FM), operating at 235 watts in Kingsport, Tennessee.^[1] The station adopted its current call sign WEXX in 2015, succeeding previous identifiers WTZR (2003–2015), WPJO (2000–2003), WAEZ (1994–2000), and WUSJ (1986–1994).^[1] Its Federal Communications Commission license was granted on August 1, 2013, and is set to expire on August 1, 2028.^[1]

Station Overview

Basic Information

WEXX (99.3 FM) is a radio station licensed to Bristol Broadcasting Company, Inc., with a city of license in Elizabethton, Tennessee, and Federal Communications Commission (FCC) facility ID 18036.^[6] The station operates on the frequency 99.3 MHz as a Class C3 facility, providing coverage to the Tri-Cities region encompassing Johnson City, Kingsport, and Bristol along the Tennessee-Virginia border.^[1] It maintains current affiliations with Compass Media Networks for select syndicated programming, such as Out of Order with Stryker.^[3] The station currently airs an alternative rock format.^[3]

Branding and Format

WEXX operates under the branding "99.3 The X," adopted in February 2015 upon its shift to the current format. The call sign WEXX was selected at that time to align directly with the "The X" moniker, emphasizing the station's edgy, contemporary identity.^[1] The station's format centers on alternative rock, delivering a mix of current hits and established tracks in the genre.^[3] Owned by Bristol Broadcasting Company, WEXX serves as a key player in the Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol Nielsen market (ranked #178), where it competes with other rock-oriented outlets by filling the niche for fresh, alternative sounds in the Tri-Cities region spanning Tennessee and Virginia.^[7] As of the Spring 2025 Nielsen Audio ratings period, WEXX maintained a steady 2.2 average quarter-hour (AQH) share among persons aged 12 and older, reflecting consistent listenership in the alternative rock category within a metro population of approximately 480,100.^[7] This performance underscores the station's enduring appeal in a competitive landscape, with its focus on high-energy, genre-defining content sustaining audience engagement Monday through Sunday.^[7]

History

Origins and Early Operations

The station signed on the air in 1968 as an FM radio station licensed to Elizabethton, Tennessee, serving the Tri-Cities region including Bristol, Johnson City, and Kingsport.^[1] The station was established under the ownership of Bristol Broadcasting Company, Inc., a broadcaster founded in the late 1940s that began with an AM station in Bristol, Virginia, and expanded to multiple markets in the Southern United States.^[8] Its original transmitter site was located at coordinates 36° 24' 07" N, 82° 12' 11" W, operating with an effective radiated power of 4,400 watts and an antenna height above average terrain of 243.8 meters to provide regional coverage.^[1] In the late 1980s, the station began transitioning toward specialized formats, setting the stage for further evolutions in its programming.

Format Evolution

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the 99.3 FM frequency in the Tri-Cities region of Tennessee and Virginia operated under the call letters WUSJ-FM, branded as "US99," and focused on country music programming to appeal to local audiences in rural and suburban areas.^[9] This format emphasized contemporary country hits and established a strong listener base amid growing competition from other regional stations. The call signs WUSJ and WUSJ-FM were in use from 1986 to 1994, during which the station maintained its country identity before adapting to shifting market preferences.^[1] The call sign changed to WAEZ on September 14, 1994. In January 1997, the station transitioned to a Top 40 contemporary hit radio (CHR) format, rebranded as "Electric 99.3," to target younger demographics and capture the pop and dance trends of the mid-1990s.^[1] This shift marked a departure from country roots, incorporating high-energy playlists with artists like Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men, as evidenced by airchecks from 1998 that highlight the station's upbeat, hit-driven rotation.^[10] The format persisted through 2000, helping WAEZ build popularity in the Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol market by aligning with national Top 40 syndication trends. In August 2000, the call letters changed to WPJO, and the station adopted an adult contemporary (AC) format under the branding "MIX 99.3," featuring a mix of soft rock, pop ballads, and adult-oriented hits from the 1980s and 1990s to attract an older, working-age audience.^[1] By late 2001, following Christmas music stunting, it resumed with a hot adult contemporary format while retaining the "MIX" moniker.^[11] This phase lasted until late 2003, providing a transitional sound that bridged AC and urban-leaning programming. On December 31, 2003, the station relaunched as WTZR with an active rock format, branded "Z-Rock 99.3," emphasizing harder-edged rock, alternative metal, and modern rock acts like Linkin Park and Foo Fighters to cultivate a dedicated rock audience in the region.^[1] The active rock era ended on February 21, 2015, when the station shifted to alternative rock, stunting with a loop of The Smashing Pumpkins' "1979" before unveiling its new direction, followed by a call sign change to WEXX on February 23. This transition refined the rock focus toward indie and alternative sounds, continuing the station's pattern of format adjustments to meet listener demands.

Ownership and Facilities

Ownership Timeline

WEXX began broadcasting in 1986 under the ownership of Bristol Broadcasting Company, a family-owned broadcaster headquartered in Bristol, Virginia, that has maintained a strong focus on serving the Tri-Cities region of Tennessee and Virginia. The station signed on as WUSJ-FM. Founded in the late 1940s by W. L. "Mr. Pete" Nininger with a single AM station, the company expanded into FM operations, including WEXX, as part of its cluster of seven stations in the Tri-Cities market, such as WXBQ-FM and WAEZ.^[8] Throughout its history, WEXX has experienced no major ownership changes or sales, remaining stably licensed to Bristol Broadcasting Company, Inc., even amid various format shifts at the station.^[12] This continuity sets it apart from some sister stations that have seen divestitures or transfers in other markets. The company's structure integrates WEXX into a broader portfolio of 31 stations across five states, all under unified family stewardship.^[8] Following the death of founder Mr. Pete Nininger in October 2006, leadership passed to his daughter, Lisa Nininger Bouldin, who continues to oversee operations as president.^[8] As of 2025, Bristol Broadcasting Company retains full ownership of WEXX with no reported divestitures or corporate alterations affecting the station.^[12]

Studios and Operations

The studios of WEXX are located at 901 East Valley Drive in Bristol, Virginia, where they are shared with other radio stations operated by Bristol Broadcasting Company in the Tri-Cities market.^[5] This facility serves as a central hub for production and broadcasting activities for the company's regional outlets, including alternative rock programming on WEXX.^[13] Operational staff at WEXX fall under the oversight of Bristol Broadcasting Company's management, led by figures such as Lisa Nininger Bouldin, who has extensive experience in the industry.^[8] The company's structure integrates sales teams across its stations to handle advertising and promotions, while engineering support ensures reliable on-air delivery from the shared Bristol facilities.^[8] With nearly 200 employees company-wide, roles emphasize creative programming and community-focused operations.^[8] Daily operations at WEXX maintain continuous 24/7 broadcasting to serve the Tri-Cities audience, supporting live on-air personalities during key shifts.^[3] Outside of live programming, the station relies on established radio automation practices common to Bristol Broadcasting's network for seamless playback and management.^[13] WEXX engages in community involvement through sponsorships and promotions of local events in the Tri-Cities region, such as concert giveaways and race weekends at Bristol Motor Speedway.^[14] These activities tie into broader Tri-Cities happenings, including music festivals and regional attractions along the Tennessee-Virginia border.^[13]

Programming

Weekday Schedule

The weekday programming on WEXX, known as 99.3 The X, follows a structured format emphasizing local personalities and alternative rock music tailored to the Tri-Cities audience. The schedule runs from early morning through the evening, blending talk, music, news, and interactive elements to engage listeners during commutes and daily routines.^[3] Mornings begin with "Mornings With Jay," airing from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM, hosted by Jay, who delivers a mix of local talk segments, community updates, and curated alternative tracks to kickstart the day. This show focuses on fostering listener connection through discussions on regional events and music discovery, setting a conversational tone for the station's alternative format. From 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Chris takes over the midday slot, combining a selection of alternative rock hits with periodic news updates and weather reports to keep listeners informed amid their workday, including the "GEN X Lunch" throwback alternative segment at noon. Chris's program emphasizes smooth transitions between tracks and brief commentary, providing a reliable soundtrack for mid-morning and lunch hours without overwhelming interruptions.^[15] The afternoon drive time, from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM, is led by Max, who energizes the commute with high-energy alternative rock, listener contests, and features like the "Top 5 at 5," a daily countdown of popular songs at 5:00 PM. This segment highlights interactive elements, such as song requests and giveaways, to boost engagement as listeners head home. Evenings and overnights transition to automated playlists featuring a rotation of alternative rock staples, interspersed with occasional syndicated inserts for variety. This automated approach ensures continuous music playback during off-peak hours, maintaining the station's core format while minimizing live staffing.^[3]

Weekend and Syndicated Content

WEXX's weekend programming emphasizes extended music blocks of alternative rock, interspersed with specialty shows that spotlight emerging artists and genres within the format. One key feature is the "X List," a curated selection of new alternative tracks designed to introduce listeners to up-and-coming talent in the Tri-Cities area.^[3] A prominent syndicated element is "Out of Order with Stryker," distributed by Compass Media Networks, which airs as a weekly two-hour countdown of the top 20 alternative rock songs played in random order to build suspense and excitement. The show includes interviews, spotlights on international acts, and emerging bands, providing a dynamic contrast to the station's regular playlist rotation.^[16][17] Through its affiliation with Compass Media Networks, WEXX incorporates sports tie-ins on weekends, such as select syndicated coverage of events that align with the alternative rock audience's interests, including occasional rock-related sports broadcasts or highlights.^[18] Special events form a significant part of weekend content, with the station broadcasting annual concerts like promotions for The Head and the Heart in Knoxville and Shaky Knees Festival appearances, often live or with exclusive listener contests. Holiday programming shifts to community-focused broadcasts, featuring themed music blocks and coverage of local events such as Christmas markets, tree lightings, and parades across the Tri-Cities region.^[14][19] Weekends generally involve higher levels of automation compared to weekdays, reducing live host presence from personalities like Jay, Chris, and Max while prioritizing syndicated and pre-recorded specialty content for consistent coverage.^[3]

Technical Specifications

Broadcast Signal

WEXX operates as a Class C3 FM station, licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to provide suburban coverage in the Tri-Cities region of northeastern Tennessee and southwestern Virginia.^[20] This class permits a maximum effective radiated power (ERP) of 25 kW and a height above average terrain (HAAT) of up to 100 meters, though actual parameters are tailored to the station's allocation and terrain.^[20] WEXX's license was granted on August 1, 2013, and expires on August 1, 2028, ensuring compliance with FCC regulations for non-directional analog broadcasting.^[1] The station's effective radiated power is 4,400 watts, enabling reliable signal propagation over the surrounding hilly terrain while adhering to Class C3 limits.^[1] Its HAAT measures 243.8 meters (800 feet), which is higher than the 100-meter reference for maximum-power Class C3 operation but is permitted with the station's reduced ERP to achieve equivalent coverage, as calculated from the terrain profile. The station uses a non-directional antenna.^[1] The transmitter is situated at coordinates 36° 24' 07" N, 82° 12' 11" W, near Elizabethton, Tennessee, on a tower shared with other broadcast facilities atop Holston Mountain.^[1] This placement optimizes line-of-sight transmission toward the Tri-Cities metropolitan area.^[1]

Coverage and Translators

WEXX's primary signal delivers coverage across the Tri-Cities region, encompassing Johnson City, Kingsport, and Bristol in Tennessee, along with portions of northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia. The station's broadcast contours reliably serve these urban centers and surrounding communities, forming the core of its listening area within the Appalachian foothills.^[1] To improve reception in specific locales, WEXX employs FM translator W291CP, operating on 106.1 MHz in Kingsport, Tennessee. This 235-watt facility rebroadcasts the main 99.3 MHz signal, acting as an urban fill-in to bolster coverage where the primary transmission may face obstructions.^[21] The hilly and mountainous terrain prevalent in the region, part of the Appalachian Mountains, poses reception challenges for WEXX, including signal shadowing in valleys and potential multipath interference that affects clarity in fringe zones. As a result, the Kingsport translator plays a key role in maintaining consistent accessibility for listeners in topographically complex areas. Overall, WEXX reaches the Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol radio market, serving approximately 487,000 potential listeners as of 2024.^[22]