Cleveland’s Star 102 Flips to All-Christmas Music, Kicks Off Holiday Season Early
CLEVELAND — The holiday jingle bells began early this year at WDOK‑FM (branded Star 102) as the station flipped its format to 24/7 Christmas music starting at 7 a.m. this morning.
The change was launched live during the station’s Jen & Tim Show. Names familiar to Northeast Ohio listeners, the hosts counted down to the moment the station officially made the switch. News 5’s own Mike Holden joined them on-air to help flip the metaphorical switch.
Why the Early Switch?
Radio programmers say flipping to all-Christmas music drives listener engagement and advertiser interest during the important holiday months. The move also gives the station a branding edge: listeners know “Christmas has begun” when they tune in. A Cleveland radio veteran noted that stations in this format often see significant ratings bumps.
In a press statement, Star 102 said: “The big moment happens during the Jen & Tim Show in the 7 a.m. hour… for 30 years and counting, Star 102 has been Cleveland’s ORIGINAL Christmas Station—and this year’s festive soundtrack is just getting started.”
What Listeners Can Expect
From now until Christmas and beyond, listeners can expect:
- A continuous playlist of holiday classics, both modern and traditional.
- Frequent holiday-themed segments and on-air features tied to local events and giving campaigns.
- Live promotions and community tie-ins around the station’s holiday branding.
The station also invites online listeners via streaming, so people can tune in from their phones or smart speakers. This ensures those who commute or who are out of the market can still join the holiday atmosphere.
Local Reactions & Early Feedback
Many listeners took to social media to express their delight. One Facebook post from Star 102 teased the change: “Start your holiday season with your favorite festive jams…”
Some longtime morning-commute listeners welcomed the early switch, saying the holiday music helped them feel more festive and upbeat. Others joked that hearing non‐holiday music for another few weeks would have felt odd. On online forums, some radio‐fans speculated about when local stations would flip in past years, underlining that this switch is a noteworthy event in itself.
Advertising & Community Impact
Beyond the tunes, the early holiday format flip has business and community implications. Advertisers targeting gift-shoppers, decorators, holiday travelers, and event planners gain a prime outlet. Star 102’s tie-in to local promotions, contests, and holiday events gives it a strong position in the market.
Local nonprofit groups and shopping centers also stand to benefit. When a major station goes full-holiday, it can help drive traffic to stores, boost local charity campaigns, and set a festive tone for the broader community.
Why It Still Matters
Switching a radio station’s format may seem routine, but in Cleveland’s case it marks the beginning of the holiday season for many listeners. Some families wait all year for this change, seeing it as a cue to decorate, bake, shop, and celebrate.
For the station, it’s part branding, part tradition, part ratings strategy—and entirely tied to the community’s holiday mindset. According to industry commentary, these format flips can also shape the overall soundscape of a region for several weeks.
Looking Ahead
With the format now flipped, Star 102 will continue its holiday soundtrack through December. Past years show that the station may also host special programming—live events, holiday message hours, charity drives, and more.
Listeners can stream online via the station’s app or website, making the holiday playlist accessible even when they’re not tuned in to the FM signal. For Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, the Christmas season now moves into full gear—with Star 102 as the official soundtrack.
