The Southern Ontario/WNY Radio-TV Forum / Star 102.5 is back (sort of)...and playing Christmas music

**Posted by Paul Jeffries** October 10, 2024 7:02 pm

I did a double-take when I saw this...
.
Star 102.5 Buffalo posted on their Facebook page that "Christmas music is back with Star!"

Huh? Didn't they get sold off and turned into a Christian Contemporary station?

Well, yes they did, and apparently Star 102.5 is online only and K-Love is alive and well terrestrially at 102.5 and online as well. But for those of you that can't get your fix of yuletide favourites early enough, Audacy has come to the rescue and is carrying on their yearly tradition of playing Christmas music until you puke! (Hmm...that would make a good slogan!)

Star 102.5 is only available in the U.S., although presumably available with a VPN if you're not in the States (if you're so inclined to try).

Ordinarily, I would say this is probably the record for the earliest a station is playing Christmas music, that is if Star 102.5 were still an over-the-air station. However, there's many online stations that play seasonal favourites all year long, so they're not breaking any records in that regard.

https://www.audacy.com/stations/mystar1025

PJ

Last edited by Paul Jeffries (October 10, 2024 7:37 pm)

**Posted by Shorty Wave** October 11, 2024 8:35 am

I think they’re pushing it. I heard a commercial for Stratford’s Christmas plays recently which had a Christmas song as BG. Just hearing it after mowing my lawn seemed odd, and that’s just 30 seconds.
I say the soonest you should start Christmas music is December, preferably mid month so you’re not sick of them by the time the big day rolls around!

**Posted by dmcjeff** October 11, 2024 10:01 am

It still broadcasts on 107.7fm HD2 correct?

**Posted by Paul Jeffries** October 11, 2024 9:21 pm

dmcjeff wrote:
It still broadcasts on 107.7fm HD2 correct?

According to Wikipedia, yes they do.

So I'm confused now...have they been broadcasting on HD2 since they left 102.5, playing adult hits and then switching over to Christmas music late in the year? This is the first I've heard of them since K-LOVE took over the 102.5 frequency.

PJ

Last edited by Paul Jeffries (October 11, 2024 9:25 pm)

**Posted by haydenmatthews14** October 12, 2024 11:34 pm

Shorty Wave wrote:
I think they’re pushing it. I heard a commercial for Stratford’s Christmas plays recently which had a Christmas song as BG. Just hearing it after mowing my lawn seemed odd, and that’s just 30 seconds.
I say the soonest you should start Christmas music is December, preferably mid month so you’re not sick of them by the time the big day rolls around!

Same thing. I know it is a bit early for some radio stations to play Christmas Music. But still it is October and it would be appropriate for radio stations to play Halloween music.

**Posted by haydenmatthews14** October 12, 2024 11:35 pm

Paul Jeffries wrote:
dmcjeff wrote:
It still broadcasts on 107.7fm HD2 correct?
According to Wikipedia, yes they do.

So I'm confused now...have they been broadcasting on HD2 since they left 102.5, playing adult hits and then switching over to Christmas music late in the year? This is the first I've heard of them since K-LOVE took over the 102.5 frequency.

PJ

I wonder when 96.1 will play Christmas music. Early November after Halloween?

**Posted by RadioActive** October 13, 2024 1:40 pm

From Radio Insight:

The first All Christmas Station of 2024 is...

**Posted by dmcjeff** October 13, 2024 1:40 pm

yes. last july while in niagara falls i heard it

**Posted by RadioActive** October 13, 2024 8:35 pm

Never mind Christmas music. How many days until the Monster Mash resurfaces on radio stations for Halloween? It has been the unofficial song of October 31st since 1962 and has even outlived the guy who recorded it.

**Posted by dmcjeff** October 14, 2024 10:45 am

You know, if you ever find yourself in Manila on August 31rst you can expect non stop Xmas music everywhere starting the next day SeptemBER 1rst annually.

Malls & Retail
Radio,
Airplanes/Ports

Not to mention the decorations and Christmas trees.

The 'Ber' months are called that for 'brrr' as they are typically cooler. (low 30's celcius instead of mid to high 30's)

Crazy Filipinos

**Posted by Radiowiz** October 14, 2024 10:59 am

RadioActive wrote:
Never mind Christmas music. How many days until the Monster Mash resurfaces on radio stations for Halloween? It has been the unofficial song of October 31st since 1962 and has even outlived the guy who recorded it.

Yes, the original version is always the best.
Key of Awesome tried to update the song for modern times. (and modern monsters, lol)
I doubt we will hear this version on the radio:

**Posted by RadioActive** October 14, 2024 11:18 am