Hubbry Logo
WXXCWXXCMain
Open search
WXXC
Community hub
WXXC
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
WXXC
WXXC
WXXC
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

WXXC (106.9 FM "Star 106.9") is a 50,000 watt Class B radio station licensed to Marion, Indiana, and serving the Muncie-Marion Arbitron market. Studios and offices are located on S. Pennsylvania St. in Marion. The station features a hot adult contemporary format mainly consisting of hits from the 2000s to present. The station is currently owned by Hoosier AM/FM, LLC.

Key Information

History

[edit]

The station signed on in 1948 as WMRI-FM and featured a beautiful music format. In the 1990s, WMRI was owned by Bomar Broadcasting, which made WMRI the flagship station of their mini-network of easy listening stations throughout Indiana. Stations in this network included WLEZ (now WBOW) Terre Haute, WEZV (now WBPE) in Lafayette, and WYEZ (now WHPZ) in South Bend. WYEZ was the first network station sold and went to LeSEA Broadcasting. WEZV was sold in 1998 to Artistic Media Partners, and WLEZ was sold to Crossroads Communications in the early 2000s. Bomar sold WMRI shortly thereafter to Mid-America Radio, owners of crosstown country outlet WCJC and oldies WBAT, (now Hoosier AM/FM, LLC).

Previous logo

Programming

[edit]

WMRI's programming mainly consisted of beautiful music (easy listening) for much of its existence. However the format was aging and so were its faithful listeners. WMRI held on to the B/EZ format for much longer than a majority of stations nationwide as many dropped or gradually moved away from the format by the mid to late 1980s.

In the fall of 1998, WMRI ended its beautiful music run and flipped to adult contemporary as "Lite Rock 106.9". Their lone existing network station in Terre Haute also flipped to AC as "Lite Rock 102.7". The format consisted of Marion-based deejays by day and satellite programming from Westwood One's (now Dial Global) Bright AC format at night. Since Bright AC was a Hot AC format and WMRI itself featured a much softer blend of music by day, the station switched affiliations to Jones Radio Networks 'AC' format (now part of Dial Global) to create format uniformity all day.

In the early 2000s, WLEZ was sold to a Terre Haute–based company and ended Bomar's radio network stint. The programming structure on WMRI, however, continued. The only exception was for on-air personalities who now had the freedom to talk about station promotions and other Marion-based mentions. The mix of local and satellite content through Jones continued until 2006 when the format was dropped in favor of classic hits. The WMRI calls were moved to their AM sister station (formerly WGOM), which took on an adult standards format, as 106.9 became WXXC.

On November 18, 2013, the station dropped the branding "106.9 WXXC" and the Classic Hits format and became "Star 106.9" and now features an Adult Contemporary format, playing hits from "The Oldies to Now."

The station features a line-up of Jackson Blue (12AM-5AM), Elvis Duran and the Morning Show (5-10AM) in the mornings, Annette Miller (10AM-2PM) in the afternoons, David (2-7PM) in the evenings, and Liveline with Mason from 7PM to Midnight.

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

WXXC

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
WXXC (106.9 FM), branded as "Star 106.9", is a commercial radio station licensed to , , that broadcasts a hot adult contemporary format featuring hits primarily from the to the present. As of 2025, the station is owned by Hoosier AM/FM, LLC, which also operates sister stations in the region. The station operates with 50,000 watts of as a Class B facility, enabling it to reach east central , including the Muncie-Marion market and surrounding areas such as parts of Grant, Blackford, and counties. Its transmitter is located near Marion, with studios and offices situated at 820 South Street in the same city. The station's programming includes the nationally syndicated and the Star 106.9 Morning Show, along with local features like "Most Requested Live" for listener song requests.

Station Overview

Licensing and Branding

WXXC holds (FCC) facility ID 6338 and has been licensed to the city of , since signing on as an FM station in 1948. The station's broadcast license was most recently granted on September 18, 1985, and is set to expire on August 1, 2028. Assigned the 106.9 MHz, WXXC operates as a Class B station, enabling broad coverage within its designated market. The station uses the call sign WXXC. In a significant effort, WXXC adopted the moniker "Star 106.9," replacing its prior "106.9 WXXC" identity. This update included a new featuring a prominent emblem alongside the frequency and stylized text, paired with slogans such as "East Central Indiana's Station for the 90s to Now" at launch and later "Indiana's Hit Music" to align with its hot adult contemporary programming. The branding emphasizes the station's focus on contemporary hits while maintaining its core market presence.

Broadcast Area and Reach

WXXC primarily serves the Muncie-Marion radio market in east-central , a designated survey area ranked 215 with an estimated population of 165,500 persons aged 12 and older. This market centers on the cities of Muncie in Delaware County and Marion in Grant County, providing essential local broadcasting to these urban hubs and their suburbs. The station's signal extends reliably across these core areas, supporting daily listening for news, music, and community updates in a region characterized by , , and . Coverage from WXXC reaches surrounding counties including Madison, Henry, Huntington, Wabash, and Adams, enabling access in nearby communities like Anderson, New Castle, and Bluffton. Its 50,000-watt Class B facility facilitates this regional , ensuring strong reception within approximately 50 miles of the transmitter while tapering to fringe levels farther out. This footprint positions the station as a vital link for rural and small-town residents in east-central , bridging urban centers with peripheral areas. The hot adult contemporary format of WXXC targets adults aged 25-54, with a particular emphasis on women in the 30-49 demographic who seek current hits from the onward blended with contemporary pop and rhythmic tracks. This audience alignment reflects the format's appeal to working professionals and families, prioritizing upbeat that resonates with daily lifestyles in the Muncie-Marion area. Listener is evident through the station's in fostering ties, such as promoting annual events like the Amplify Marion and supporting local initiatives via its shared , which highlights charity drives, church homecomings, and programs.

History

Establishment and Early Operations

WXXC, originally known as WMRI-FM, signed on the air on December 19, 1948, in Marion, Indiana, as the FM companion to the local Marion Chronicle newspaper. The station was established by Chronicle Publishing to extend the newspaper's reach through broadcasting. From its inception, WMRI-FM operated independently before the launch of its AM sister station, WGOM, in 1955. The station adopted a format, featuring light classical, instrumental, and selections targeted at an adult audience seeking relaxed programming. This format proved resilient during the FM industry's downturn in the 1950s and early 1960s, when many stations struggled due to limited receiver adoption, allowing WMRI-FM to maintain operations and achieve wide listenership from Fort Wayne to near . Ownership remained under local Marion broadcasters during the station's formative decades, with Chronicle Publishing guiding the addition of the AM sister in 1955. In the 1990s, Bomar Broadcasting, a Marion-based company, acquired the properties, marking a transition while preserving the easy listening roots until a shift to adult contemporary in 1998.

Format Changes and Rebranding

In the fall of 1998, the station, operating as WMRI-FM, transitioned from a beautiful music format to adult contemporary, rebranding as "Lite Rock 106.9" to appeal to a wider demographic in the competitive Muncie-Marion radio market. In 2003, Bomar Broadcasting sold the station to Mid-America Radio of , Inc. In April 2006, the call letters were officially changed from WMRI-FM to WXXC by Mid-America Radio of , Inc., coinciding with a shift to a format branded as "'s ," reflecting ownership efforts to revitalize the station amid evolving listener preferences. In November 2007, AM/FM LLC acquired the station from Mid-America. On November 18, 2013, under owner AM/FM LLC, WXXC dropped its programming and rock-leaning branding for hot adult contemporary as "Star 106.9," focusing on hits from the onward to better compete with regional contemporary outlets and target a younger adult audience. These format evolutions were influenced by broader market dynamics, including competition from larger-market signals in nearby Fort Wayne and , as well as strategic ownership decisions to align with shifting national trends toward more upbeat, recent-era music rotations.

Programming

Music Format and Content

WXXC, branded as Star 106.9, operates in the hot adult contemporary (Hot AC) radio format, which targets listeners aged 25-54 with a mix of upbeat, familiar pop-oriented music that bridges and traditional adult contemporary styles. This format emphasizes current , recent recurrents from the past few years, and select tracks from the , creating an energetic yet accessible playlist that avoids edgier elements like or pre- classics to maintain broad appeal. The station's content philosophy prioritizes melodic, radio-friendly songs that resonate with everyday lifestyles, drawing heavily from pop, R&B, and hip-hop influences to reflect modern mainstream trends. Music selection on WXXC follows curated playlists designed to balance freshness with familiarity, incorporating listener feedback through requests and interactions to influence . Representative examples include recent releases like Chappell Roan's "HOT TO GO!" and collaborations such as and ' "Die With A Smile," alongside recurrents from artists like and , ensuring a dynamic that highlights empowering, danceable, and emotional tracks. The station deliberately steers clear of heavier genres or archival material, focusing instead on empowering a sense of contemporary relevance and without delving into niche or dated content. To enhance weekend programming, WXXC incorporates syndicated elements like "Most Requested Live," a nationally distributed show that airs on Saturdays and features the week's top listener-requested songs, fostering direct audience participation via calls and online submissions. This integration underscores the station's commitment to interactive content, allowing fans to vote for and hear their favorites from the Hot AC library in a celebratory format. Following its rebrand to this format, WXXC has solidified its role as East Central Indiana's go-to for hits from the onward, with a particular emphasis on the 2000s-to-present era.

On-Air Schedule and Personalities

WXXC's weekday programming begins with the syndicated Elvis Duran and the Star 106.9 Morning Show, broadcast live from New York and distributed nationwide via Premiere Networks, featuring entertainment news, celebrity interviews, pop culture segments, and interactive features like phone taps and trending topics to engage listeners during morning commutes. Following the morning show, midday programming shifts to local host Mallory, who delivers lifestyle and segments, including news updates, cooking tips, and personal anecdotes drawn from her interests in binge-watching series and spending time with her pets. Her daily contributions provide a relatable, community-focused bridge between syndicated content and afternoon . Afternoons are anchored by local personality Mo from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. weekdays, offering a mix of music curation, pop culture commentary, humorous "" moments, and his signature feature MMM: Mo's Munchie Menu, a weekly taste-test of limited-time food and beverage items from local and national chains. Evenings feature Live Line with Mason Kelter on Monday through Friday nights, a fully live, interactive program from the host's home studio that emphasizes all-request songs, caller dedications, interviews, and contests such as "Who Sings It?" and the "Big 3 Countdown" of top listener picks, fostering direct engagement with the audience. Complementing this, The Kannon Show keeps the energy high all night long with party-oriented content designed to extend the weekend vibe into late hours. Weekends highlight Most Requested Live with Romeo on Saturdays, a syndicated countdown program that spotlights the week's most popular songs based on listener votes and requests, encouraging social media interaction and shoutouts. The station maintains a balanced mix of syndicated and local programming, with national shows like Elvis Duran and Most Requested Live providing broad appeal alongside homegrown segments from hosts like Mo, Mallory, Mason Kelter, and Kannon to connect with the Marion and surrounding communities. Seasonal specials, such as holiday-themed giveaways and community events, integrate into the schedule during November and December, enhancing festive engagement without disrupting the core lineup.

Technical Details

Transmitter Specifications

WXXC operates with an (ERP) of 50,000 watts, classified as a Class B FM station under FCC regulations, which allows for broad coverage while adhering to interference protection standards for co-channel and adjacent-channel stations. The station's antenna height above average terrain (HAAT) measures 152 meters (499 feet), contributing to its signal propagation characteristics across the region. Its transmitter is located near , at coordinates 40° 35' 52" N, 85° 39' 21" W, utilizing a non-directional antenna pattern to ensure uniform signal distribution without directional nulls. This setup complies with FCC licensing requirements, including protections against interference as specified in the station's construction permit and license, which was granted on September 18, 1985, and expires on August 1, 2028. These technical parameters enable WXXC to serve the Muncie-Marion market effectively, as detailed in the broadcast area section.

Ownership and Facilities

WXXC is currently owned by Hoosier AM/FM, LLC, a company that operates a cluster of radio stations in east-central , including sister stations WCJC (99.3 FM, format), WBAT (1400 AM, oldies format with news, talk, and sports programming), and WMRI (860 AM, sports). The station's studios are located at 820 South Street in , a facility shared with its sister stations under Hoosier AM/FM's management. This central location supports day-to-day operations, including production, sales, and on-air for the cluster.

References

  1. https://www.star1069fm.com/
  2. https://radio-locator.com/info/WXXC-FM
  3. https://www.star1069fm.com/show/elvis-duran/
  4. https://www.fccinfo.com/CMDProFacLookup.php?sCurrentService=FM&sFacilityID=6338
  5. https://radioinsight.com/headlines/86715/wxxc-shifts-to-hot-ac/
  6. https://www.nielsen.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Populations_Rankings.pdf
  7. https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Arbitron/Market-Maps/Nielsen-Radio-Market-Mape-Fall-2023.pdf
  8. https://www.westwoodone.com/formats/music/hot-ac/
  9. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/adult-contemporary-radio-hits-millennials-724945/
  10. https://www.star1069fm.com/2025/07/16/amplify-marion/
  11. https://radiodiscussions.com/threads/wamw-am-wamw-fm-wfml-and-wwbl-in-washington-vincennes.504414/
  12. https://www.fybush.com/sites/2006/site-060818.html
  13. https://radiodiscussions.com/threads/wmri-marion-changes-call-letters.470229/
  14. https://www.fybush.com/sites/2005/site-050225.html
  15. https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-265851A1.pdf
  16. https://rbr.com/transactions-11-12-07/
  17. https://www.goldenproportions.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/RadioGuide.pdf
  18. https://streema.com/radios/WXXC
  19. https://onlineradiobox.com/us/wxxc/playlist/
  20. https://www.star1069fm.com/show/most-requested-live/
  21. https://www.premierenetworks.com/shows/elvis-duran-and-morning-show
  22. https://www.star1069fm.com/show/mallory/
  23. https://www.star1069fm.com/show/mo/
  24. https://www.star1069fm.com/show/live-line-with-mason-kelter/
  25. https://www.star1069fm.com/show/kannon-show/
  26. https://mostrequestedlive.iheart.com/
  27. https://www.instagram.com/p/DQXyam9AD9W/
  28. https://www.wbat.com/
  29. https://www.star1069fm.com/contact-us/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.