Free Republic

...The latest casualty turned up last week. WHFS-FM, the "alternative" station that pioneered free-form rock radio in Washington in the 1960s and '70s, abruptly pulled the plug on rock and began carrying Spanish-language pop. The move by WHFS's owner, Infinity Broadcasting, left the Washington region -- a radio market of more than 4 million people -- with just one area-wide station, DC-101 (WWDC-FM), playing contemporary rock. In economic terms, the move made perfect sense. So-called urban -- black-oriented R&B hits and hip-hop -- and ethnic formats have been the radio industry's growth engine. Among these, Spanish-language programming has been the...

At noon today, Infinity flipped long-time Modern Rocker WHFS/Washington, D.C. to "El Zol" 99.1. The new format will play "a mix of salsa, merengue and bachata" Caribbean and Central American dance music music. Spanish Broadcasting System consulted and advised Infinity on the new format. The two companies announced an alliance last October. "We have made clear our desire to expand into this burgeoning market and believe this move marks an important step in our commitment to Spanish radio," said Infinity President/CEO Joel Hollander. "There exists a tremendous opportunity for Infinity to launch a Spanish-language format in Washington, D.C. where almost...

As I was listening to Sean Hannity today between the hours of 5pm to 6pm eastern time, during one of Sean's very long commercial breaks, I decided to switch it to FM and listen to some music, however, little did I know what I would be listening to. The DJ named Tim Virgin announced the MoveOn.org concert "For Change" in Washington D.C. on October 11th(?) and he was really pumping it up saying it would be a huge show, with the lineup and all. I called into the station to complain, and I actually got to talk directly to Virgin....