With Halloween done and out of the way, those looking to dive right into the holiday spirit do not have to wait any longer. Nor do they have to wait for the Thanksgiving feast to be consumed and cleaned up.
94.5 KOOL-FM began playing Christmas music Nov. 2, part of the launch of its all-new Christmas format. In the past, the radio station sprinkled holiday tunes in with its lineup of classic hits.
"We are excited to ring in the holidays with our listeners on KOOL with Christmas music,” said Dave Pugh, senior vice president and market manager for Entercom Phoenix, in a prepared statement.
The station will switch back to classic hits on Dec. 26.
99.9 KEZ, long dubbed "The Holiday Station," will begin playing Christmas music on Friday, Nov. 9, though an exact time has not been announced as the station is aligning the switch with a promotion.
The first song will be Andy Williams' “Most Wonderful Time of the Year," according to KEZ's website.
The station will switch back to its regular lineup on Dec. 26.
Paul Kelley, KEZ's program director, said in a prepared statement that viewers began emailing the station in September requesting Christmas music be played.
"We’re proud to fulfill their request and continue a Christmas tradition in the Valley," he said in a prepared statement.
Those looking to take their Christmas tunes on the go and off the road have a multitude of ways to listen:
- IHeartMedia has an IHeartChristmas playlist via its app
- Pandora Radio has a Christmas playlist or you can create your own
- Spotify has Christmas playlists
- Apple Music has an "Essential Christmas" playlist
