the station aired a gospel music format in the 1970s and 1980s. in 1985, the station was sold to sudbrink broadcasting for $436,200. in 1988, the station's call sign was changed to wxtl. by 1990, the station had added nighttime operations of 143 watts. in 1996, the station was purchased by mcentee broadcasting for $240,000, and its call sign was changed to wioj. as wxtl and wioj the station aired a religious format.