A few radio changes in our state that have seen some press this past week.  The first one reported by WILX-TV (Lansing) that Macdonald Broadcasting's WXLA-AM/W227DO (Lansing/Easy 93.3) flipped to its seasonal all-Christmas music presentation at midnight on November 1, making the station one of the first in the state to do so this year.

“We’ve been doing this for years now, so it’s a tradition for us,” said Scott Holliday, Operations Manager and Program Director for the station.  “We go right away, November 1st, and then we go for a full two months all the way up until the new year.”

Holliday said the seasonal flip resonates because holiday music carries a timeless sense of connection and comfort.

“People love tradition. That’s what Christmas is all about, getting together with your family,” Holliday said. “Music is a huge part of what makes Christmas special, and that’s why people love to listen to it. It just makes them feel good, puts them in a time and place.”

Another format flip reported in the press this past week at Midwest Communication's WFAT-AM/W274AQ (Battle Creek).  RadioInsight wrote that the station replaced its simulcast of oldies-formatted WQXC-FM (Allegan) in favor of a fulltime simulcast of sister news/talk station WKZO-AM (Kalamazoo).  That switch occurred this past Tuesday, Election Day (11/3).  The simulcast enables WKZO to improve its coverage on the east side of the shared market.