WROX-FM (96.1
MHz
The hertz (symbol: Hz) is the unit of frequency in the International System of Units (SI), equivalent to one event (or cycle) per second. The hertz is an SI derived unit whose expression in terms of SI base units is s−1, meaning that one he ...
) is an
alternative rock formatted
broadcast
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio or video content to a dispersed audience via any electronic mass communications medium, but typically one using the electromagnetic spectrum ( radio waves), in a one-to-many model. Broadcasting began ...
radio station licensed to
Exmore, Virginia, serving
Hampton Roads
Hampton Roads is the name of both a body of water in the United States that serves as a wide channel for the James River, James, Nansemond River, Nansemond and Elizabeth River (Virginia), Elizabeth rivers between Old Point Comfort and Sewell's ...
and the
Eastern Shore of Virginia.
WROX-FM is owned and operated by Sinclair Telecable, Inc.
WROX's studios are located on Waterside Drive in Downtown Norfolk, and its transmitter is located in
Cape Charles.
History
The station signed on in 1986. Though it initially was planned to be a
classical music
Classical music generally refers to the art music of the Western world, considered to be distinct from Western folk music or popular music traditions. It is sometimes distinguished as Western classical music, as the term "classical music" also ...
station as WWGH, it instead signed on as WIAV, "Wave 96", with a
Top 40/
CHR format. It was then co-owned with
WVAB (1550 AM).
Bishop L.E. Willis later bought the two stations and then bought 92.1, later spinning off WVAB. It then shifted to a dance-leaning CHR as WKSV, "Kiss 96", in December 1988. Six months later, in May 1989, it flipped to
Christian
Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words ''Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρι ...
after
WXRI
WXRI (91.3 FM) is a radio station broadcasting a Southern Gospel format. Licensed to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States, the station serves the Piedmont Triad area. The station is currently owned by Positive Alternative Radio and fea ...
was sold.
On June 21, 1991, WKSV adopted
WMYK
WMYK (98.5 FM "Rock 98.5") is a mainstream rock radio station owned by Hoosier AM/FM LLC in Kokomo, Indiana
Kokomo ( ) is a city in Indiana and the county seat of Howard County, Indiana, United States. It is the principal city of the Kok ...
's urban format as 'Touch 96' and adopted the call letters WMYA on August 5, 1991.
In October 1993, Willis sold the station to current owner Sinclair Telecable. Shortly after the sale, WMYA flipped to its current format and "96X" branding on October 25.
In 1995, in order to fill a coverage gap in the core portion of Hampton Roads, they put their new 250 watt translator at 106.1
MHz (W291AE) on the air; it was best heard in downtown Norfolk to help eliminate signal dropout in the downtown area. The translator existed until 2004, when
WUSH was born.
On July 22, 1998, WROX-FM shifted to Top 40/CHR. The station terminated all of their on air personalities. This proved to be extremely unpopular with locals, as the station reverted back to Alternative Rock one year later on July 16, 1999. The station's call letters didn't change during this time.
In June 24, 2019, WROX-FM shifted its format from alternative rock to adult album alternative, still branded as "96X".
96X Norfolk Moves Towards AAA
Radioinsight - June 25, 2019
On June 29, 2020, 96X quietly changed its format back to alternative rock in the midst of iHeartRadio's abrupt format flip of WNOH, launching an African American-oriented national news radio network.
References
External links
96X Online
*
1986 establishments in Virginia
Adult album alternative radio stations in the United States
Radio stations established in 1986
ROX-FM
{{Virginia-radio-station-stub