Local conservative talk show WBXY 99.5 is now an electronic dance party.
President and CEO of JVC broadcasting company John Caracciolo said EDM — electronic dance music — is taking over the nation but has been underserved to the Gainesville market.
Locally, the switched took place at midnight on June 1.
With EDM attracting young adults 18 to 26, Caracciolo said the nearly 50,000 students at UF would make the switch a profitable one.
However, Caracciolo said not everyone is excited about the new music. Change can be hard to adjust to, he said, but the talk radio was underperforming and not generating enough income.
“Talk radio is a great format, but it is not making money,” he said. “I have to put format and a program on that is exciting and endearing to the local community and makes money. There has got to be a balance.”
Because the company consists of five radio stations, Caracciolo said he still wanted to incorporate talk radio on other stations.
Casey Wooster, a 21-year-old creative photography and anthropology senior, said although she likes to listen to talk radio she knows not everyone does.
“I think there is a need for diversity,” she said. “It reflects the demand in the area.”
Contact Alexa Volland at avolland@alligator.org.
