Connoisseur Media officially revived the iconic "Z93" brand on 92.9 FM (WGTZ) in Dayton, Ohio, while launching a new alternative rock station, "101.5 The Fridge," on 101.5 FM (WCLI-FM).
The changes replaced the previous Variety Hits "92.9 Jack-FM" and Classic Country "101.5 Hank-FM" formats, marking Connoisseur's first major programming refresh in the Dayton market following its acquisition of Alpha Media in September 2025. The launches aim to tap into local nostalgia for Z93's heyday in the 1980s and 1990s while introducing fresh, energetic content to fill a gap in alternative rock programming.
Connoisseur Media acquired Alpha Media in a deal announced in May 2025 and completed on September 4, 2025. The merger expanded Connoisseur's portfolio to 218 stations across 47 markets.
Alpha had owned the Dayton cluster, including WGTZ and WCLI-FM, which were operating under the Jack-FM and Hank-FM brands. The move is part of Connoisseur's broader strategy to revitalize acquired stations with heritage formats and new concepts tailored to local audiences, similar to its recent flip of a sports station to classic rock "102.9 The Rattler" in Amarillo, Texas, on September 29, 2025.
📻Revival of Z93 (92.9 FM)Format and Heritage: Z93 returns as a Classic Hits station, focusing on pop and top 40 tracks from the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s.
- Launch Details: The station debuted at 5 p.m. on Thursday with a nostalgic montage, including the original "WGTZ Eaton, Dayton and Springfield Alive" jingle voiced by Mitch Craig, followed by high-energy hits like "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)" and "Livin' on a Prayer."
- On-Air Talent: Returning favorites include Scott Sharp and Kim Farris, delivering a "high-energy presentation" that's both "legendary and fresh." Operations Manager Kevin J. Washington, a former Z93 intern, called it a "full circle moment."
- Historical Context: Z93 was a powerhouse in Dayton during the '80s and '90s, originally launched by Great Trails Broadcasting as a sister to AM station WING. It evolved from automated programming to a vibrant Top 40 outlet before going off-air years ago.
Market Manager Brett Beshore emphasized, "Z93 was a powerhouse in Dayton, and we’re thrilled to bring it back for a new era."
📻Launch of 101.5 The Fridge (101.5 FM)Format: Alternative rock, featuring '90s and 2000s-era tracks from bands like My Chemical Romance ("Welcome to the Black Parade"), Green Day ("Welcome to Paradise"), Foo Fighters, DNCE ("Cake by the Ocean"), The Beatles ("Glass Onion"), R.E.M. ("Orange Crush"), Warrant ("Cherry Pie"), and Zac Brown Band ("Chicken Fried"). The name nods to Dayton's industrial heritage as the former home of Frigidaire, the pioneering refrigerator manufacturer founded there in 1919.
- Launch Details: It went live at 5 p.m. on Thursday, opening with a "running fridge" sound effect and a stocked playlist of alt-rock staples. Program Director Kevin Begley stated, "Alternative has been missing from Dayton for way too long... This is the soundtrack of a generation, back on the radio where it belongs."
- On-Air Talent: Features "energetic" jocks to match the vibe, though specific names beyond the Z93 crossovers weren't detailed in initial announcements. Washington added, "101.5 The Fridge is going to bring a fresh, energetic sound to Dayton with jocks to match!"