WXZX (105.7 FM) is a commercial radio station that is licensed to serve Hilliard, Ohio and serves the Columbus metropolitan area. Owned by iHeartMedia, the station broadcasts an alternative rock format. Both the WXZX studios and the station transmitter are located in Downtown Columbus. The station is the Columbus affiliate of the Cincinnati Bengals Radio Network. WXZX broadcasts in HD Radio. History Top 40 (1990-1991) A new station was constructed in Marysville, Ohio at 105.7 MHz in early 1990, known as WNRJ. The call letters signified "energy", as "Energy 105.7" was originally considered as a brand but never used. When the station finally signed on the air on July 20, 1990, it was known as "The Power Pig" (not to be confused with Tampa, Florida's WFLZ's "The Power Pig" name) and featured a contemporary hit radio format. Rhythmic (1991-1994) This short-lived format quickly evolved to rhythmic contemporary as WWHT, "Hot 105". In March 1993, sister station WTLT (107.1 FM) in Circleville began simulcasting WWHT's signal and changed its call sign to WAHC. Together the two stations were branded as "Hot 105/Hot 107" and served the entire Columbus market. Top 40 (1994) In an effort to again re-image the station, in early 1994 WWHT was changed to WAKS, "105.7 Kiss-FM", playing mainstream hits with a more adult lean. Kiss-FM failed to become a viable competitor to top 40 leader WNCI due to WAKS' relatively poor signal and undifferentiated format. '70s hits (1994-1996) The next format change in April of that year saw WAKS and WAHC flip to all-1970s oldies as "Arrow 105.7". The first song on Arrow was "Stayin Alive" by the Bee Gees. Country (1996-1997) The late 1990s saw frequent changes at the station. In December 1996, Jacor Communications purchased WAKS and WAHC for approximately $9.5 million. The new owner flipped the station to country music the following month as WHQK, "Kicks Country 105-7", ending the simulcast with WAHC. WHQK dropped its programming in April 1997 after only a few months in favor of simulcasting WHOK-FM's country format. (Prior to the Jacor purchase, in late 1996 WAKS and WAHC stunted as simulcasts of WLLD (Country 98-9) in an attempt to "surround" leading country station WCOL-FM (92.3 FM). '70s hits (1997) A third format change came late in 1997 when the station gave all-1970s another try; it was branded "105.7 The Chicken" in reference to its mascot, a giant whole broiled