Is October too early for Christmas music? <\/p>\n
Salt Lake City\u2019s 103.1 The Wave doesn\u2019t think so. <\/p>\n
The station<\/a> \u2014 known for playing alternative hits from the 1980s and \u201990s with bands like Simple Minds, U2, Depeche Mode and Talking Heads \u2014 has officially jumped into the holiday spirit. On Tuesday morning, 103.1 began airing Christmas music full time, potentially becoming the first station in the country to make the seasonal switch. <\/p>\n Rob Riesen, program and operations director for KBZN, the company that owns The Wave, told Axios<\/a> the early switch comes ahead of a new content launch planned for Jan. 1. <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve given it a good seven years, and the station\u2019s really … never moved the needle. And so we\u2019re gonna look at doing something else,\u201d Riesen said.<\/p>\n Riesen added that holiday music offers listeners a reason to \u201cput a little smile on their face.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019ll be other stations that follow suit,\u201d he said. \u201cChristmas is big, and I think everybody needs a little smile on their face nowadays.\u201d<\/p>\n 103.1 did not immediately respond to Deseret News request for comment.<\/p>\n Riesen believes the station may be the first in the country to go all-holiday this year \u2014 a move that could inspire other stations to follow suit as the season approaches.<\/p>\n Some loyal 103.1 listeners, however, aren\u2019t so pleased with the station\u2019s decision to switch. <\/p>\n Okay, I know the radio is a bit antiquated, but 103.1 The Wave was awesome, and it\u2019s gone now. Even worse, they\u2019re currently playing Christmas music in October \ud83d\ude21\ud83d\ude29<\/p>\n \u2014 Hot Rob Hundley (@rob_alvord) October 7, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Spotify defines this as the day when more than 2% of all listening in the region is made up of holiday songs.<\/p>\n \u201cThe United States and Canada wait until Nov. 13 to start\u2014but once they get going, \u201cAll I Want For Christmas is You\u201d is on repeat until the reindeer come home.\u201d<\/p>\n Most aren\u2019t huge fans of early festive tunes, especially in October.<\/p>\n I hate that I hear christmas music outside in OCTOBER<\/p>\n \u2014 \u30b8\u30e3\u30a4\u30bb\u30c1\u30e4\u26e7\ud83d\udda4 (@Jysethia_ded) October 9, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Man thinking about Christmas in October. Honestly I’m surprised I haven’t heard Christmas music in retail stores yet. That actually has happened out here.<\/p>\n \u2014 Dankoismad (@Dankoismad12) October 8, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Y\u2019all. I heard Christmas music today\u2026<\/p>\n \u2014 ANJANA \u2696\ufe0f\ud83d\udd0b\ud83c\udf31 (@anjanaturner) October 10, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Though some embrace the early holiday spirit and don\u2019t mind who\u2019s listening.<\/p>\n It’s October. I’m listening to Christmas music right now because I’m an adult and I do what I want. \u2014 SAS (@Shiloh941) October 10, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n I\u2019m listening to Christmas music today idc idc idc!\ud83d\ude2dI\u2019m in the Christmas spirit! \ud83c\udf84<\/p>\n \u2014 Jad\u00e9 M. Ishman, M.Ed (@TheRichAuntie_) October 10, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n
JOY TO THE WORLD \ud83c\udfb6<\/p>\n