Posted on 05/16/2012 8:10:10 AM PDT by raccoonradio
Clear Channel has agreed to purchase Alternative 101.7 WFNX Boston for an undisclosed price.
The station which had been co-owned with the Boston Phoenix newspaper has carried an Alternative Rock format since April 1983. It will now join a Clear Channel cluster of “Talk 1200” WKOX/1430 WXKS, Rhythmic CHR “Jam’n 94.5” WJMN, and CHR “Kiss 108” WXKS-FM. Owner Stephen Mindich released the following memo to the Phoenix regarding the sale:
"Dear Members of the PM/CG Family:
Because this is an emotional announcement to make, let me cut right to the chase.
This morning I met with the staff of WFNX to announce the pending sale of the station to Clear Channel Communications.
Over the years, WFNX has done spectacular things. Since 1983 the station has played an historic role in bringing new music to audiences in and around Boston. We introduced Nirvana and Pearl Jam to wider audiences in 1991.
However, I do enjoy some of the music including Sinatra, Dean Martin, etc., as an option.
Continuing a conversation from a few weeks ago, I put on the 98.5 channel today for maybe 30 seconds and the first time in about a month. The host called Republicans “wing nuts” in chatter regarding Curt Schilling's situation in Rhode Island. I think it was that clown from Wisconsin who once said that if Brett Favre was black, he'd be criticized. And oh, the other jock used the term “a-hole.” Dare I ask, what type of audience do they have? Nerds and dweebs?
LOL! My thoughts exactly. I started listening to FNX in late ‘86 and oh it was heavenly then. I could not pull myself away (I was 13). Then it pretty much went down the crapper when the ‘90s came around.
Whatever audience 98.5 has, they’re doing well in the ratings. Listeners tend to be younger, more liberal.
(The joke I’ve made is “98.5 has 30 yr olds who still live in mom’s basement, WEEI has 50 yr olds who still live in mom’s
basement.)
Supposedly a former WFNX program director, Bruce Mittman,
is predicting—again, predicting! He no longer works for them or for Clear Channel—anyway he THINKS they will put
Talk 1200 on 101.7 and Howie did reference it on air (there
was a sale today and I must say I’m seeing the light at the end of the tunnel)
from today’s Herald. Again note that Mittman doesn’t work for either the Phoenix or Clear Channel, but he predicts a conservative talk format for 101.7. A _prediction_:
>>Radio industry experts say Clear Channel Communications will likely shift its news and talk station WXKS-AM to the FM dial once it finalizes a deal to buy alternative rock station WFNX-FM 101.7’s signal from Phoenix Media.
“Their talk station is very expensive to run,” said former radio exec Bruce Mittman (about) WXKS-AM, whose lineup includes yakkers Jay Severin, Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh. “They cannot compete because it’s a limited signal. Putting it on FM would dramatically increase their coverage, which would help them with their ratings and with advertising.”
(Note: the article says “of WXKS” not “about WXKS” which is poorly worded. It makes it sound like he works for Clear
Channel but I believe he doesn’t...which is why he says “they”..)
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