Local Wave Breaking In Panama City
• Following the massive success of WWAV (102.1 The Wave)/Ft. Walton Beach, FL, JVC Broadcasting has flipped its recently acquired WILN (Island 106)/Panama City from Top 40 to Adult Hits as 105.9 The Wave, expanding JVC’s “Wave” brand across the Florida Panhandle.
While both Wave stations share the same upbeat personality and massive variety hits from the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, & ’00s, 105.9 The Wave will not be a direct simulcast of its Fort Walton sister. Instead, it will feature its own locally curated playlist, hand-picked from the same massive Wave music library that defines the brand. The result: two distinct Wave stations with their own vibe and identity — united by one mission — to make radio fun, local, and alive again.
“We’re thrilled to bring true local programming back to Panama City,” said John Caracciolo, CEO of JVC Broadcasting. “While others in the industry are cutting staff, consolidating studios, and piping in national shows, JVC is doing the opposite — we’re growing. We’re hiring local talent, investing in communities, and proving that local radio is still the heartbeat of every great town along the Gulf Coast.”
“The Wave is unlike any other station in the country,” said Matt Stone, Director of Programming for JVC Florida. “It’s unpredictable, fun, and feels like someone’s awesome personal playlist, not a corporate algorithm. Every hour brings something fresh — from Fleetwood Mac to Maroon 5 to those one-hit wonders everyone forgot they loved. That’s the magic of The Wave.”
“We’re bringing energy back to radio in Panama City,” said John Griffo, Market Manager for JVC Broadcasting — The Panhandle. ““Listeners are tired of hearing eight-minute blocks of national commercials. At The Wave, we run a fraction of that time and focus solely on our local advertisers — the businesses that live, work, and thrive right here in our backyard. That’s what sets us apart.”
