Christmas music is pretty light-hearted, with its pa-rum-pum-pum-pums and jolly jams. But at WLIT 93.9 FM, it's serious business.
The Chicago radio station known as Lite FM plays smooth tunes most of the year, but it's perhaps most renowned for showering the city with audio holiday spirit each winter. It's popular programming too; operations manager Tony Coles said in an email that people start calling the station as early as mid-August to ask about the music, desperate to hear "Jingle Bell Rock" three times a day.
When they do decide to start pumping the jingle-jangle through the city depends on a number of factors, Coles said, most notably weather conditions, listener interaction and local holiday events. He kept the formula under wraps, however, saying that their chosen rotation and list of songs is confidential information.
Despite the relentless nature of its Christmas cheer, Coles said the station receives few complaints from listeners during its holiday music schedule.
"It's only natural. Not everyone celebrates the holidays. We understand and appreciate this fact," he said. "However, the complaints are few. Often we hear from people who do not celebrate Christmas, but still tune in because they like the music."
Coles said the station will decide when to stop jingling all the way on Dec. 26.
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The Chicago radio station known as Lite FM plays smooth tunes most of the year, but it's perhaps most renowned for showering the city with audio holiday spirit each winter. It's popular programming too; operations manager Tony Coles said in an email that people start calling the station as early as mid-August to ask about the music, desperate to hear "Jingle Bell Rock" three times a day.
When they do decide to start pumping the jingle-jangle through the city depends on a number of factors, Coles said, most notably weather conditions, listener interaction and local holiday events. He kept the formula under wraps, however, saying that their chosen rotation and list of songs is confidential information.
Despite the relentless nature of its Christmas cheer, Coles said the station receives few complaints from listeners during its holiday music schedule.
"It's only natural. Not everyone celebrates the holidays. We understand and appreciate this fact," he said. "However, the complaints are few. Often we hear from people who do not celebrate Christmas, but still tune in because they like the music."
Coles said the station will decide when to stop jingling all the way on Dec. 26.
Want more? Discuss this article and others on RedEye's Facebook page.
