WWZN to change owners, format (here comes immigrant radio)

After nearly 10 years as a sports talk station, WWZN AM/Zone 1510 will be getting a new ownership and format later this summer. Earlier today, Blackstrap Broadcasting LLC announced that it's acquiring the Boston station from Paul Allen's Rose City Radio. Blackstrap is also buying Allen's WSNR AM 620 in NYC. According to BIA Financials, the station's revenues in 2006 were $1.8 million. Currently, the station carries Sporting News Radio network as well as leased-time local sports talk shows at night and on weekends.

Peter Davidson who heads Blackstrap Broacasting LLC issued a press release which gives some insight to the new foreign-language format coming to AM 1510 in the coming weeks :

“I am pleased that my company will purchase these two great signals. Blackstrap Broadcasting’s mission is to provide a platform and a welcoming home for immigrant communities on the public airwaves. As some people in the United States are espousing their unhappiness with recent immigrants, we feel it is important for those recently arrived in the US to know that most Americans respect them and greatly value their contributions in New York, Boston and throughout the United States.

Immigrants are the source of America’s strength and prosperity and Blackstrap Broadcasting was formed to celebrate, champion and provide mass media access to these newly arrived Americans.”

AM 1510 has undergone a number of changes over its history. Its current run as a sports talker, initially under WNRB and presently WWZN call letters, began in late 1997. As WMEX, it rocked with legendary Boston DJ Arnie "Woo Woo" Ginsberg. As WITS in the late 70's, it carried the Red Sox. (It became WITS to represent information, talk and sports in 1978). Later on, it had a big band sound as WMRE, went into bankruptcy in 1986-87, country music as WKKU, a Spanish format and briefly English talk radio as WSSH, and found religion from 1994 to 1997 as WNRB.

Yes it is, provided that a “legal ID” be given at the top of the hour in English I believe. Some foreign language stations
do run some of their commercials in English btw(the Boston Air
America stations changed their format to Spanish language
but are still running some ads/public service announcements
in English).

The FCC apparently has no prob with legalizing foreign language programming. (And even in cities where there ARE
foreign language stations, there are some folks who feel
there apparently isn’t enough—so they put on pirate stations. The FCC will send out letters of warning and
liability to them but usually can’t shut them down...
one explanation I heard is that they need the U.S.
Marshals Service to arrest owners/shut down stations/
seize equipment, and the Marshals Service is too busy
with other matters

Oops: now we hear they’re not changing the format from
sports to “ethnic” after all...weird, what with the
new owners talking about wanting to serve the immigrant
community, etc.

http://www.bostonradiowatch.com

To quote former Patriots coach Bill Parcells who once gave this classic line in a interview with WEEI : “You know, things change. I reserve the right to change my mind on anything.” Earlier today, Anthony Pepe, WWZN AM 1510’s general manager and the host of the “Mouthpiece Boxing Show” on the station, forwarded the following press release to BRW informing that the station’s new owner, NYC-based Blackstrap Broadcasting LLC, will be keeping the Zone’s current sports format which is a mix of national sports talk from Sporting News Radio network, local college play-by-play broadcasts and niche time-brokered programs. The decision to stick with the current sports format model comes on the heels of Blackstrap’s sale announcement on Tuesday(BRW 5/29) which mentioned of its intention to introduce non-English programming geared toward immigrant listeners.

May 31, 2007 CONTACT: ANTHONY PEPE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1510 THE ZONE- 781-359-1535

1510 AM radio to stay with sports format!

BOSTON, MA- Boston’s Sports Station, WWZN 1510-AM ‘The Zone’ will not be changing formats. Blackstrap Broadcasting LLC announced that it is acquiring the 50,000-watt Boston station from Paul Allen’s Rose City Radio. Blackstrap is also buying Allen’s WSNR 620-AM in New York.

“1510 The Zone has been embedded in Boston as a sports station for the last 10 years and we would like to preserve that tradition,” said Peter Davidson, the head of Blackstrap Broadcasting, LLC. “Boston is among the greatest sports cities in the country and the demand for sports coverage in the region reflects that,” he said.

Presently, 1510 The Zone programming consists of Boston College Hockey, Harvard Football, North Shore Spirit Baseball, NASCAR, and several local, niche brokered shows.

“We are excited about the opportunity to continue with sports programming at 1510 The Zone,” said Program Director Jon Anik. “Our immediate plan is to increase the amount of local sports content for our loyal listeners,” Anik said.

1510 The Zone has been brokering time since 2005 and that will continue to be the business model under the new owners.

“We are looking forward to working with Peter, along with the new ownership group, and are eager to finally have the stability and support needed to succeed in this great sports town,” said General Manager Anthony Pepe.

About Blackstrap Radio

Blackstrap Broadcasting was formed by Peter Davidson, who also founded Davidson Media Group.

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