After a decade off of Florida airwaves, Audacy Orlando has relaunched 102 JAMZ (WQMP) with its original name and format that ran from 1988 to 2014. The station had previously been Alternative station FM 101.9.
The station is stunting its launch with 10,000 Throwback hits in a row, featuring artists like 2Pac, Beyoncé, Eminem, Notorious B.I.G., and Usher.
To go with the new station, Audacy has appointed Miguel ‘Mijo’ Irizarry as 102 JAMZ’ Brand Manager. Irizarry’s experience includes roles as Brand Manager and afternoon drive host for Miami’s Power 96 and Radio Libre 790, with previous stints in Philadelphia and Portland.
Station lineup announcements are expected soon.
Audacy Orlando Regional President Claudia Menegus stated, “We’re thrilled to announce the return of this heritage brand and once again give listeners a destination for the hottest Throwback music. Some of these artists and records made 102 JAMZ a local favorite and has stood the test of time as one of the most iconic brands in Orlando. We trust that with Mijo’s leadership, we will create a unique, nostalgic experience for music lovers in Orlando and for every generation to enjoy.”
I moved to area from Tampa. Listened to 97x there and thought I found my new station. This has been driving me crazy searching for it for a month now. Disappointed, but now I know it’s gone and can find something else. So very disappointed!
I have mixed feelings about this. Had Jamz originally during my HS years when I moved here, but the Alt was a welcomed change of pace. That being said, a lot of songs had become too repetitive, and I’d find myself switching stations.
For the Orlando area people born and raised on this station it is pure nostalgia and we love that it’s back!!! Welcome back 102 JAMZ!!!
Big mistake!!! There are 1,000,000 stations of elevator music, you had something unique and you threw it away.
There’s a lot of racist comments on here. You guys clearly don’t know Orlando. 102 Jamz was loved by so many. If you don’t like it don’t listen or just leave Orlando. It’s an easy fix.
I love my Alternative music and loved FM 101.9; however, I’m not gonna lie…I grew up listening to 102 JAMZ late night thunderstorms, so it’s kind of nostalgic to hear them back on the air. Guess I’ll have to Pandora my Alt tunes now, but hey, 102 JAMZ is bringing back all of the old school rap vs. all of this new mumbling garbage.
We loved our daily dose of James Steele and his twisted commentary. Always made us LOL! Great to see that he is going to 105.9 in the same time slot as our other favorite DJ Domino. Going to miss hearing all the great new artists out there.
This absolutely sucks!!
I want my Alternative radio back!
It’s was originally a black station from 1988-2014
Yes the alt station was also my favorite. I agree I guess I’ll have to find something on Pandora or Spotify. Throw backs might have lyrics but that’s not music
I’ve been a Floridian since ‘74 and was stoked to FINALLY have an Alternative radio station that wasn’t just a few hours a week of a local college station! Then they have the AUDACitY to remove it unceremoniously and replace it with something old?! Why not replace it with BJ105 (Wolf-man Jack) that was an institution too while you’re at it! Geez another something we DON’T need and yet take away the ONE local Alternative station! Way to go IDIOTS FROM ABOVE!!!
People complaining don’t understand what 102 Jamz means to Orlando culture. I’m in my 40s now and grew up as a white kid who had no way to listen to a lot of the hip hop music that now is the soundtrack to my life. 102 Jamz was a party station that played great music. Some of the original on air personalities (Bartel Bartel) are no longer with us and I think this is a great tribute to them. I hope they bring back some of the OG DJs. The thunderstorm would be awesome, DJs Twice as Nice… also the original voiceover guy! He’s essential!!!!
I agree. I’m happy about the news of 102 jams coming back. This was my college days waking up early to go to work listening to Hook Her and Break a Dawn. I was disappointed when they got rid of 102 Jamz. Glad it’s coming back 💕
Not happy. Fine if you like Jamz. I don’t criticize people’s music choices but just hate losing all the personalities Ashley O, James Steele and Alt music. It will be awhile before I get over this loss.
This sucks!! Finally found a good station in Florida and now it’s gone. So disappointed!!😢
I agree. I am so disappointed in losing my favorite station as well. Orlando is such a music desert for as big as it is. Taking this station off my list. I’ll listen to YouTube music now.
Yep, loved the station. Now I pretty much don’t listen to the radio in my car anymore.
You removed white music and replaced with black rap crap. Democrats DEI is ruining this country and your part of it. You lost me. Shame on you!
Bro jamz was here first for over 20 years. Stop being racist and go elsewhere.
My guy, music is for everyone and anyone. Don’t tie race in to this. Look I enjoyed the old alt music that was on the air as well, and I know people of different races that did too. On the flip side I also enjoy hearing these songs that I also listen to in high school and I am a white guy. Being a 40 year old Orlando native I remember how 102 Jamz controlled the air waves from the late 80s till mid 2010’s. 102 is part of central Florida culture. I agree I will miss having an older alt station and hope another station will pick it up, but if not there is always Spotify or Apple Music. Oh yeah also don’t try to make it a political thing either dude, we got enough of that crap going on in the world. And for the record I’m not a democrat so you can’t play that card on me. Now sit down, relax, and in the words of Miss Misdemeanor Elliot, get yo freak on!
Back in the day 102 jamz was that station. Every time you get used to something it changes so get over it….I ready for great old school music again and not the same crap.
As a former radio on-air guy, this is another disappointment. This is why I mainly listen to Spotify and a few great online radio sites (Lost 45s, etc.) I’ve been through too many format changes and now the only station I listened to in Orlando is gone.
Tough. They never should have taken jamz in the first place.
I love Ashley O, but I couldn’t take the same Metallica, Nirvana, Foo Fighters song played over and over again every day.
New format sucks. James Steele was great. We don’t need more jam music in Orlando. This will be gone in 6 months.
Reading all these comments is funny as hell!! Everyone here is mad as hell hahaahaha! I guarantee all yall crying ass bitches arent even from the Orlando area and don’t know the history of 102 Jamz just like WJRR 102 was channel to listen to! Sooo I’ll end by saying this stop crying yall crying ass bitches it’s only a radio station get over it! Yall sound like a bunch of kamala harris supporters right now! 😆 😂 😆 😂
Couldn’t agree more.
Should be 102 Sucz….HUGE disappointment. Time to remove from my radio pre-sets.
I am so stoked 102 Jamz has returned if I had listen to one more ac/dc song I think I would have ripped the radio out of my truck – welcome to music that actually had lyrics and was actually original not some remixed bs – when people actual actually had to beat the pavement to get their music out their f you tube and f by music you tubers
Underground Arsenal Show wants in on late night show For Hip-Hop. Let’s build
I am so stoked 102 Jamz has returned if I had listen to one more ac/dc song I think I would have ripped the radio out of my truck – welcome to music that actually had lyrics and was actually original not some remixed bs – when people actual actually had to beat the pavement to get their music out their f you tube and f by music you tubers
Alt station was AWESOME and the Personalities were great and I became a full listener, tuned in today and the New Format BLOWS!! So outdated, I guess I know where the Marketing Genus from BudLight ended up. Totally Unbelievable, former listener
As an original member of the 102JAMZ “Wake Up Posse” with Paco Lopez & Brandi Shannon I absolutely welcome the return of 102JAMZ!
I ready! Let’s do this! I WANT IN!!!
🎤”I’m Mz. B!…Love u baby!”🎶
As long as Paco stays so so far away.
I went looking for 102 JAMZ when I moved back here and the alt station was there. I kept it cause I like a few songs and mostly listen to my phone’s music. I was so excited when I turned my car on and old school jams were on again! Aaayyyyeee welcome back!
Big Mistake…. Guess I’ll go to Pandora or pull up an ALT station from the PNW they have and seem to play the music 1st before it makes to the East Coast
Very disappointed to turn on my favorite Alternative station this am only to hear Ludicrous singing about licking ass and banging girls 😡 Way to go from playing great songs that my family can listen to to playing nasty trasy hoe songs..this loyal listener is out!
My morning won’t be the same!!!!!!So we need another Jamz station , you have left out an entire segment of listening area .Will not be listening to this poor substitute and hope the monopoly of stations see the interest and need for ALTERNITIVE !
102 jamz is the reason I fell in love with radio! I’ve wanted to be apart of this station for years, here’s my chance! Let’s Go Orlando!!
Just use WDRE online and it has an app. Best of 80s new wave and 90s, 20s alternative. Radio here just sucks.
Well this just blows. Where can we now listen to the alt rock station? Big mistake.
Orlando can’t keep an alt rock station on air for more than 2-3 years, WCYY has been successful in Portland Maine for 30 years maybe Orlando should learn something from them!
LOL! First of all who the hell wants to live in Portland Maine?? Lol!
As a huge fan of WQMP and it’s format of alternative rock(which is almost impossible to find in Florida) I am bitterly disappointed and, well, just pissed off with this decision. I hope this venture fails miserably and hits Audacy (Audacious) in the wallet. Media conglomerates like this are too big and put dollars before people, I can’t believe the demographics were too small for an alt rock station. If I hear the name Audacy on any station on my radio, I’ll make sure to turn the dial….
A**holes!!!🤬
Very disappointing!!! Why??? I guess I’ll take this station off my setting in my car now 😞
Im gonna miss James Steele! When this happens to a radio station, it always happens with no warning.
As a city-dwelling Gen X’er, I happen to enjoy both formats, but I’d like to where I should go for Alt Rock, which is my “Comfort Zone. ” Anything besides 98.9 WMMO or 101.1 WJRR?
I can’t believe they did this!!! Bring back alternative
I love when my favorite station gets it’s format switched in the middle of the week with no heads up. Great job Audacy.