Usually when I review two stations, I’m comparing them, as they have a similar format. This time however, the only thing in common is the station name and that they both have an imaging spot that is nothing but waves splashing.
I discovered the station on Hawaii’s big island first, as their sister station, 102.7 KTBH was in my list of not streaming stations. I may have to do a review of that at some point, as that station has an interesting take on its format as well. Back to the Wave though, this is a simulcast consisting of 92.7 KHBC and 92.1 KHWI. Launched in 2012 after Resonate acquired the stations, this station has always had a unique take on CHR. When the station launched, it was a mix of currents and rock gold. Sometime before I found it, the rock was replaced with rhythm, and now the station is positioned as hits and old school. While the station relies heavily on automation outside of drive time, it is hosted in both morning and afternoon drive. The monitor below is also the last hour of the morning show. Here’s the station at 8 A.M. local time on April 9.
- Sabrina Carpenter – Bed Chem
- Nico & Vinz – In Your Arms
- Eminem – Houdini
- Teddy Swims – Bad Dreams
- Selena Gomez – Hands To Myself
- LISA – Born Again (feat. Doja Cat & RAYE)
- Inner Circle – Bad Boys
- Rose and Bruno Mars – APT
- lovelytheband – Broken
- Marshmello & Jonas Brothers – Slow Motion
- Rihanna – Only Girl (In The World)
- Chappell Roan – Pink Pony Club
- Jason Derulo – Savage Love
- Mark Ambor – Belong Together
- Ellie Goulding – Love Me Like You Do
The other wave on the other hand, is WWAV from Fort Walton Beach. This has become one of my defaults lately, and I never know what I’m going to hear on this station. Its imaging and overall presentation seems to be a throwback to the early days of the variety hits format, complete with snarky liners, much of which have disappeared from the format. Some days, its focus seems to be pop-rock, other days it’s like it is in this monitor, all over the place. Here’s the station at 2:00 P.M. on April 10,
- Brooks and Dunn – Boot Scootin’ Boogie
- ZZ Top – Sharp Dressed Man
- Miguel – Sunflower
- Vampire Weekend – Unbelievers
- Bob Marley and the Whalers – Redemption Song
- Hall and Oats – I Can’t Go For That
- Greenday – Basket Case
- George Ezra – Budapest
- Jeff Buckley – Hallelujah
- Maroon5 – Sunday Morning
- Rick Derringer – Rock and Roll
- Jason Mraz – I’m Yours
- Natalie Merchant – Carnival
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