Jacksonville Feb. Ratings: WEZI Wins the Jacksonville AC War vs. WEJZ

[Gregg.]

I think this is the first time WEZI has beaten WEJZ in Jacksonville's ratings. In February, WEZI, owned by Cox, was #4. It improved its January numbers by more than three points. WEJZ, owned by Renda, fell to #6. It lost one point since January.

I wonder why this change occurred. WEZI started a few years ago as a Soft AC station. Cox figured if it has such success with the Soft AC format at WDUV Tampa and WFEZ Miami, why not try it in Jacksonville. But initially it didn't work. So WEZI, still calling itself Easy 102.9, stepped up the tempo and became more of a mix of AC and Classic Hits.

Jacksonville has a station CALLING itself Classic Hits, WJGL. But it's really more a pop-leaning Classic Rock, with Eagles and Fleetwood Mac songs mixed with AC/DC and Led Zeppelin. It's also owned by Cox. So that left an opportunity for WEZI. But that doesn't explain WEJZ's ratings drop.

 

[MrRadio]

I think this is the first time WEZI has beaten WEJZ in Jacksonville's ratings. In February, WEZI, owned by Cox, was #4. It improved its January numbers by more than three points. WEJZ, owned by Renda, fell to #6. It lost one point since January.

I wonder why this change occurred. WEZI started a few years ago as a Soft AC station. Cox figured if it has such success with the Soft AC format at WDUV Tampa and WFEZ Miami, why not try it in Jacksonville. But initially it didn't work. So WEZI, still calling itself Easy 102.9, stepped up the tempo and became more of a mix of AC and Classic Hits.

Jacksonville has a station CALLING itself Classic Hits, WJGL. But it's really more a pop-leaning Classic Rock, with Eagles and Fleetwood Mac songs mixed with AC/DC and Led Zeppelin. It's also owned by Cox. So that left an opportunity for WEZI. But that doesn't explain WEJZ's ratings drop.

WEJZ's morning man of more than 30 years, Arthur Crofton, passed away late last year. Maybe some of that audience went elsewhere in his absence.

 

[John FL]

WEJZ's morning man of more than 30 years, Arthur Crofton, passed away late last year. Maybe some of that audience went elsewhere in his absence.

My goodness. In shock on many levels.

I admit to not being active on R.D. as I often was in the past. But I do make it a point to glance through Florida boards. Reviewed the "In Memorium Board, and didn't see any mention of this there either.

There was a time there were lively discussions, varied posters, and one might say evidence of a lot of deep compassion for the business of radio. Not many post anymore on Radio Jax. It's a shame no one bothered to report Arthur Crofton's passing. If it was posted somewhere on R.D., I stand corrected.

More than 30 years in morning drive on the same station is quite the accomplishment. I first heard Arthur when my job transferred me to Jax in 1997. It seemed bizarre at first that a broadcaster with a British accent was on the air in Jacksonville. Obviously, radio listeners loved him. So, that's his legacy.

As far as ratings go between WEJZ and WEZI, it's probably best to look at trends. This may have just been a fluke. Signal issues could have been involved. Time will tell.

 

[Gregg.]

WEZI's victory over WEJZ was short-lived. In the March 2025 ratings, WEJZ is #2 and WEZI is #8.

Last month's numbers were an outlier.