WFNX being sold to Clear Channel

[rockcaptain]

And Country!? On a Boston station with a primarily urban coverage area? I wouldn't do it.

 

The second most listened to station in Boston is Country (WKLB with a 7.2 share) - the only better move would be CHR to cut into Kiss 108's 8.6 share, but obviously they're not gonna do that since they own it

It's the second most listened to station in the Boston MARKET. The majority of the WKLB listeners are not within the city of Boston itself. As stated before 101.7 has primarily urban coverage so a format that appeals to the burbs where you can barely get it would make no sense.

[bobbailey]

Sources out of the 10 Cabot Rd. studios of Clearchannel Boston in Medford told me within the last 10 minutes that the format of
WFNX 101.7 will be changed to a 24 hour Polka station to satisfy the Polish community in the area and tap into their advertising dollar.

The new morning man signed his contract shortly before noon today.  Bob Litwin, who for over 30 years, has had a long running
Polka show on WESX-AM 1230 on Sunday's from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm - The Litwin Polka Varities.  WESX studios are currently in
Chelsea running a Spanish format after the sale of the North / South Shore Broadcasting in 2006, Litwin has had the only English speaking
program on the station.

Litwin will handle morning drive from 6:00 am to 10:00 am and he brings a great knowledge of Polka music and dance as well as Polish
community affairs as he is deeply in touch with the Polish community.

His ratings on WESX are the highest on the station and the powers that be at Clearchannel Boston hope that translates to the FM dial.

The rest of the Polka weekday lineup on WFNX has been announced and will include:  "The Polkatime Show" with Lou & Terry Daniels from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm , Billy Belina's
"Polka Bandstand" will be on for the PM commute from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm , " Polka Celebration" with Helen Szubzda will run from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm,
to be followed into the overnight with "Polka-A-Go-Go" hosted by Jeffrey Guyette from 10:00 pm to 2:00 am and "The Polka Beat"  with Bob Jaracz will
entertain listeners from 2:00 am to 6:00 am before Litwin hits the airwaves again.


John Hogan , CEO of Clearchannel, is said to be thrilled with the acquisiation of WFNX and looks forward to establishing the first Polka
station in the country to dominate the FM dial.

    

[whdh1920]

what if they did hot ac like mix 104.1 and have Elvis Duran in-the morning??

[Joseph_Gallant]

I hope that just prior to the transfer of control to Clear Channel and a format change (possibly to Spanish-language programming), that WFNX-101.7 will invite recent and former staff back for a "farewell broadcast", so 'FNX can go out in style.

[The Spy]

The goodbye broadcasts seem to be immediate..with Adam12 doing a final shift today, and Julie Kramer tomorrow.

[aerie]

If 101.7 does become a simulcast of 1200AM, I wonder what call letters they will use since there obviously already is a WXKS-FM.

[Joseph_Gallant]

The Spy:

What I was thinking of was having recent and former WFNXers return for a six-hour farewell broadcast right before the ownership/format change, where they all could share their memories and play some of the best music from WFNX's three decades on the air.

[Bob1370]

If they change it to a Rush Limbaugh-based format it'll have as much chance for success in Boston as Jack did on 101.1 in New York. We all know how that one turned out.
From Clear Channel's point of view they're trying anything they can to find more and younger cume and AQH for their product, and they still think that moving an old-skewing AM format to FM will get them a boost. It isn't working anywhere it's being tried...but that may not stop them...

[raccoonradio]

Mark of BRW thinks Spanish (talk or music ) on 101.7 rather than conservative talk. As for a "Rush based format" actually it's only Rush 3 hrs a day--there are 2 local hosts, maybe 3 if
they get Howie, but if you just mean it to say "conservative talk" then I know what you mean.
And if they do go Spanish on 101.7 they'd still have some coverage for the conserv talk
(not as much as they'd like) via the 1200 they have.

[Norm Rosen]

Mark of BRW thinks Spanish (talk or music ) on 101.7 rather than conservative talk. As for a "Rush based format" actually it's only Rush 3 hrs a day--there are 2 local hosts, maybe 3 if
they get Howie, but if you just mean it to say "conservative talk" then I know what you mean.
And if they do go Spanish on 101.7 they'd still have some coverage for the conserv talk
(not as much as they'd like) via the 1200 they have.

It's most likely to be a spanish format. Whatever the outcome, 101.7 will totally suck wet, liquid, defacation under the Clear Channel ownership, at the expense of the best, and one of the longest lasting,true alternative stations. Now, We can only hope for a FNX to rise from the ashes.