Christmas sounds early

Two Kansas City radio stations switched from light rock to Christmas music earlier this week.

Annoyed listeners can place the blame on the ratings system. The last ratings period of the year falls in early October and ends in late December. The switch to holiday music gives stations around a 50-percent boost in ratings.

"Middle-aged women absolutely love Christmas, period," Lazer 105.9 DJ Chris Merrill said. "They see an incredible ratings spike as a result of it. For whatever reason, people can sit in an office and listen to Christmas music just about nonstop, all day for two months straight. That's why it starts so early."

Radio stations may get a boost in ratings but not all listeners are happy with the change.

"It's bad enough when they start it two weeks before Thanksgiving," Kansas Union Assistant Director Susan Hoffman said. "Do we have to start listening to Christmas music in October? Why not start in July? Heck, let's have it in March, let's have it in Mardi Gras."

Regardless of your opinion on when Christmas music should be played, the holiday music will be aired through December 25th.