At various times during the mid-'00s, a handful of stations attempted to find a different way to do the all-holiday format. Stations ranging from Rhythmic AC WQSX (Star 93.7) Boston to Oldies/Greatest Hits WCBS-FM New York floated variants on the Christmas format that were different in era and tempo from the version that was quickly taking hold at most AC stations (tight playlist, emphasis on the traditional, and recent holiday music represented mostly by newer artists interpreting the holiday standards).

That version of the holiday format took hold for a reason. WQSX, which was usually off in fall, tried a more rhythmic, more reaction-record-based version of the format and became one of the few stations to actually slip with holiday music. WCBS-FM's more Oldies-flavored version held its own, but hardly kept AC rival WLTW (Lite FM) from having its usual big numbers. Plus, when you're talking about a format that's going to last 6-8 weeks at the most, there's not exactly a lot of time for format innovation.

While there have always been a lot of holiday-format variants on-line, it's nice to see this holiday season offering a few interesting ones over the air as well. We've already taken First Listens to the more soulful take on the format heard on the U.K.'s Smooth-FM and the jazzier/more traditional version at Smooth Jazz KTWV (The Wave) Los Angeles. Now, both '90s-based WLGX (Gen-X) Louisville, Ky., and CIUP (Up 99.3) Edmonton, Alberta, the gold-based AC built around tempo and variety, have switched to holiday music as well.

Up 99.3's move is particularly interesting. On one hand, it's not hard to accept a Christmas format as an extension of the station's "feel good" philosophy. But it's still a change for a station that has been high-concept since its launch. (Disclosure: I have worked with other stations in the market in various capacities in recent years.) But if you've ever wished that the holiday format were a little more, well, up and contemporary, it's a good choice.

Like KTWV and WLGX, the chief variance here seems to be in era. The bulk of the songs are still holiday standards, but they're from more contemporary artists. The '50s/'60s MOR "sweater acts," who get a lot of airtime on AC holiday formats, are still here, but in seemingly inverse proportion to their usual representation. (WLGX 's holiday format isn't streaming, but based on the Website's now playing widget, it seems to be taking a similar approach, although the band Extreme's holiday song has made a few appearances.)

Up 99.3 also has the advantage of Michael Bublé's holiday album, which is an event record for Canadian AC. As the morning team noted, "We're playing every song." Not every song on the album is Canadian content, but the album's new song, "Cold December Night" is. And when heard on Monday (13), the station's high-profile presentation—heavy on "relatable" bits and callers—had been modified to include holiday topics, but not entirely.

Here's Up 99.3 as heard on Sunday night (12):

Sheryl Crow, "Run Rudolph Run"
Bing Crosby, "White Christmas"
Jesse Labelle, "Last Christmas" (Canadian AC artist with an attention-getting contemporary acoustic version of the Wham standard)
Mariah Carey, "All I Want For Christmas Is You"
Bob & Doug McKenzie, "The Twelve Days Of Christmas" (CDN)
Josh Groban & Faith Hill, "The First Noel"
Matt Dusk, "It's A Marshmallow World" (CDN)
Ronettes, "Sleigh Ride"
Michael Bublé, "Cold December Night" (CDN)
Johnny Mathis, "Caroling, Caroling"
Serena Ryder, "Calling To Say" (CDN, the usually earnest female singer-songwriter channels the Spector holiday wall-of-sound here)
Tom Cochrane, "Christmas All The Time" (CDN)

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