WPOZ Celebrates 30 Years!
WPOZ/Orlando (Z88.3) is one of the most successful (and long running) CCM stations ever. Today Aug 14th “The Z” celebrates its 30th birthday.
The WPOZ story actually began in the summer of 1987. Founder/President Jim Hoge was working as a GM of another radio station near Orlando and had hired Dean O’Neal (now Vice President / Director of Operations) from Kansas City. Jim amd Dean began to dream of a fulltime CCM station in Orlando. They actually mastered minded the idea of “Z88.3” at lunch on a napkin and began some serious prayer that God would make a way.
An FCC search revealed one last channel for Orlando on 88.3 FM … but the problem was it interfered with local television channel 6 that was also licensed to Orlando. Working closely with channel 6, together a solution was found where they combined the proposed FM signal with the television signal into one antenna. This eliminated the interference and WPOZ signed on August 14, 1995.
HisAir spoke with Hoge on this 30th birthday to see how he feels about the long success of WPOZ today?
“Longevity and any success is all due to God. He has continued to work His perfect will in sinful man and in this imperfect ministry. It is just amazing to look back over the years and see both His providence and protection, all in spite of ourselves!”
In your mind, what has been the highlight of these 30 years?
Being the first Christian radio station anywhere to hit number one in the ratings (2004) blazing a trail for others to follow.
What do you credit the most for the longevity of WPOZ?
Big thanks to Alan Mason, John Frost and Dean O’Neal who strategically built a “brand” and not a music streaming service. Brands stand the test of time.
What was the biggest challenge in these past 3 decades of WPOZ?
Constantly fighting the drift away from being consistent, compelling and relevant in our listener’s lives.
What’s the biggest change you’ve seen in Christian Radio during this time?
With radio consolidation failing most everywhere, Christian music stations generally are the last ones standing. This is both a warning and an opportunity.
Z88.3 FM® is owned by Central Florida Educational Foundation, Inc., and operated by Z Ministries, Inc., both are local non-profit organizations.
Current WPOZ coverage.
