Johnny’s House Brian Grimes, Johnny Magic, and Sondra Rae, the show is broadcast on XL 106.7. Photo by Roberto Gonzalez.
Winner: Best Music Radio Station | XL 106.7
Orlando listeners have spoken, and XL 106.7 has earned the top spot as Best Music Radio Station in Orlando magazine’s 2026 Best of ORL awards.
The long-running Top 40 station, known on the air as “Orlando’s #1 Hit Music Station,” has been a fixture of Central Florida radio for decades, delivering a mix of today’s biggest hits, entertainment news, contests and local personalities that have helped build a loyal audience across Central Florida. XL 106.7, officially WXXL-FM, is owned by iHeartMedia and serves the greater Orlando market from its studios in Maitland.
Broadcasting on 106.7 FM, the station has built its brand around contemporary hit music while maintaining a strong connection to the local community through promotions, live events and personality-driven programming. Its lineup includes the popular morning show “Johnny’s House,” one of Central Florida’s most recognizable radio programs, along with nationally known personalities such as Ryan Seacrest.
The Best of ORL recognition reflects the station’s continued relevance in a rapidly changing media ecosystem. While listeners today have access to streaming services, podcasts and countless digital entertainment options, XL 106.7 has remained a go-to source for new music, local conversation and community engagement.
iHeartMedia building in Orlando.
Founded as a commercial FM station serving Central Florida, WXXL has evolved through multiple eras of radio while maintaining its focus on contemporary hits. Today, the station reaches listeners throughout the Orlando area and remains one of the market’s most recognizable media brands.
The station’s success has been driven not only by its music programming but also by its ability to create experiences beyond the airwaves. Concert promotions, listener contests, community events and digital content have helped XL 106.7 maintain a strong presence throughout Central Florida. Recent programming has included local events, artist interviews, podcasts and major promotions tied to national entertainment and sporting events.
For Orlando magazine readers, the Best of ORL award recognizes a station that has become part of the soundtrack of daily life in Central Florida. Whether listeners are tuning in during their morning commute, discovering the latest chart-topping songs or participating in station promotions, XL 106.7 continues to demonstrate why it remains one of the area’s most influential voices on the radio dial.
Publisher’s Note: What local Gen Zs haven’t spent countless hours dialing or texting to win something incredible?
When not on the air, Eric is working behind the scenes supporting Hearst Television’s 26 other weather departments, helping create the best-looking, clear and easy-to-understand graphics in the country.
Winner: Best TV Weather Forecaster | Eric Burris
For many Central Floridians, checking the forecast has become synonymous with checking in with meteorologist Eric Burris. That connection with viewers helped earn Burris first place in Orlando magazine’s 2026 Best of ORL readers’ poll for Best TV Weather Forecaster.
A Central Florida native, Burris has spent much of his life studying and communicating weather. Born and raised in the Orlando area, he began pursuing meteorology while still a student at Lake Howell High School, where an internship program allowed him to gain early experience in television weather forecasting. He later attended Seminole State College and the University of Central Florida before earning a meteorology degree from Mississippi State University.
Today, Burris serves as a meteorologist at WESH 2 News, where he has become one of Central Florida’s most recognizable weather personalities. His career has included coverage of some of Florida’s most significant weather events, including Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Jeanne and Wilma, experiences that helped shape his forecasting expertise.
In late 2025, Burris was promoted to weekday mornings, taking on a key role within the station’s First Warning Weather Team. The move reflected both his forecasting credentials and his growing popularity with viewers across Central Florida.
What sets Burris apart is his ability to blend meteorological expertise with accessibility. Through his daily online “Coffee Talk” weather discussions and active social media presence, he has built a loyal audience that extends well beyond traditional television broadcasts. His conversational style and willingness to explain complex weather patterns in plain language have made him a trusted source during hurricane season and severe weather events.
That trust is reflected throughout the community. Online discussions among Orlando residents frequently cite Burris as a favorite local meteorologist, praising his passion for weather, detailed storm coverage and commitment to keeping residents informed.
The Best of ORL award recognizes more than forecasting accuracy. It reflects the relationship Burris has built with viewers over years of service, education and engagement. Whether tracking tropical systems, explaining afternoon thunderstorm patterns or helping residents prepare for severe weather, Burris has become a familiar and reassuring presence across Central Florida.
With readers selecting him as Orlando’s Best TV Weather Forecaster for 2026, Burris adds another accolade to a career built on hometown roots, weather expertise and a genuine passion for keeping his community informed.
