Though it initially was planned to be a classical music station as WWGH, it instead signed on as WIAV, "Wave 96", with a top 40/CHR format.

After already dealing with technical problems, a lightning strike caused the station to leave the air in October 1987.

[7] In May 1991, after several months off air due to storm damage, WKSV returned as urban contemporary "Touch 96";[8] WMYK then flipped to rock in June.

Shortly after the sale, WMYA left the air for three weeks; it then flipped to its current format and "96X" branding on October 25.

[13][14][15] This proved to be extremely unpopular with locals,[16] as the station reverted back to alternative rock one year later on July 16, 1999.