WFNX

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WFNX

Broadcast area	Boston, Massachusetts, Manchester, New Hampshire, and Portland, Maine
Branding	101.7/92.1 FNX
Slogan	True Alternative
First air date	1983
Frequency	101.7/101.3 (Boston); 92.1 (Manchester and Portland) (MHz)
Format	Alternative music
Callsign meaning	Phoenix as in Boston Phoenix
Owner	Phoenix Media/Communications Group
Website	FNXRadio.com

WFNX is a New England commercial alternative music radio station. Its audience is based in Boston, Massachusetts, where it broadcasts on 101.7 MHz. WFNX is also simulcast on two other New England radio stations, both broadcasting on 92.1 MHz: WFEX in Peterborough, New Hampshire (serving Manchester) and WPHX-FM in Sanford, Maine (serving Portland). WFNX is owned by publisher Stephen M. Mindich's company the Phoenix Media/Communications Group and promoted as the broadcast cousin of the Boston Phoenix, Mindich's long-running alternative media news magazine.

Colloquially referred to as "FNX", the station began broadcasting on Monday, April 11, 1983. It was one of the first commercial stations to play indie music. WFNX brands itself "the true alternative", an attempt to contrast itself from larger rock music rival WBCN. WFNX offers a more eclectic playlist, giving substantial airtime to less mainstream artists and even some local bands. WFNX also prides itself on being independent, unlike WBCN, which is owned by CBS Radio.

Contents 1 History 2 Signal upgrade and ratings issues 3 Programming 4 Trivia 5 On-Air Personalities 6 Notable Former On-Air Personalities 7 References 8 Resources

[edit] History

101.7FM began as the FM outfit of the Lynn-based WLYN located at 25 Exchange Street in Lynn. (25 Exchange Street continues to be the studio for WFNX).

WLYN-FM for years simulcast WLYN-AM during the day and had its own programming after the AM signed-off at sunset.

By the late 1970's, WLYN-FM had begun broadcasting ethnic programming in the mid-day hours, with drive times still simulcast with the AM. In 1981, WLYN-FM began broadcasting a nighttime block of new wave music which eventually became a 24/7 alternative music format in 1982, known as "Y102". The midday ethnic programs were moved to the AM where they continue to air to the present day. In the spring of 1983, WLYN-FM was sold to the Phoenix Media/Communications Group and became WFNX, retaining for the most part the format that had been launched by the previous owners.

[edit] Signal upgrade and ratings issues

On March 30, 2006, WFNX got a major signal upgrade, doubling its power and receiving permission from the FCC to begin broadcasting from its new antenna located atop One Financial Center in downtown Boston. The station was previously broadcasting from suburban Medford and had a spotty signal in portions of Boston.

This marked the second time in WFNX’s 24-year history that the station moved or upgraded its signal. However, WFNX is still far behind its competitors in signal strength and overall market coverage area. The frequency, 101.7, is a "Class A" frequency, with power restrictions much more severe than the frequencies of their competition (all "Class B" stations with maximum power allowed). With a relatively weak signal and smaller coverage area, WFNX has always suffered from lower ratings than its competitors.

To promote its signal upgrade in downtown Boston, WFNX sold all of its commercial ad time to beverage maker Snapple from Memorial Day, May 29 through Independence Day, July 4, 2006 (both are national holidays in the United States). The unique US$2 million deal allowed the station to eliminate traditional commercial breaks for that time. However, the station saw no ratings increase from this publicity stunt and continues to hover near last place in the Arbitron ratings. ^[1]

[edit] Programming

WFNX features several specialty shows. Leftover Lunch, weekdays from noon to 1 PM, features alternative music from the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. Alter Ego with Paul Driscoll, which airs weeknights from 7 PM to midnight, includes a mix of new songs that aren't receiving much exposure and older songs from less popular artists, alongside alternative rock staples. One in Ten, on Sundays from 8 to 10 PM, is a radio program for the gay and lesbian community which as of 2006 is the longest running program of its kind. WFNX also airs local music showcase New England Product Sunday nights from 10 to 11 PM.

[edit] Trivia

Nirvana's 1993 Nevermind It's an Interview release was taped at the station.

[edit] On-Air Personalities

WFNX DJs include:

• Michael Swasey (host of morning drive time "The Swasey Show")
• Henry Santoro (1983 -present, news director and host of Boston Phoenix lifestyle segments)
• Paul Driscoll (2003 - present, Music Director and host evening show Alter Ego)
• Julie Kramer (1986 - present. Drivetime and later middays and host of noontime retro alternative music show Leftover Lunch since 1998)
• Keith Dakin (1999-2001?, 2003-present. Afternoon drive time October 27, 2003 - present)
• D-Tension (2005 - present)

[edit] Notable Former On-Air Personalities

• Tom Irwin a.k.a. "Morning Guy Tai" (morning drivetime host 1985 - May 1997)
• Nik Carter (Evenings 1988-1995, Middays September - November 1995)
• Neal Robert (1987?-1995, 1998-2000. Co-host of morning drivetime show "Asleep At The Wheel" May 1998 - 2000)
• Anngelle Wood (Co-host of morning drivetime show "Asleep At The Wheel" May 1998-2000. Morning drivetime music and entertainment reporter 2000-January 2005)
• Chris Kennedy (June 1989-April 2001, longtime host of overnight music show "Annihi-late Night" 1991-2000. Producer of "Morning Guy Tai" morning show as well as brief interim host of morning show 1998-1999)
• Cruze (1998-2003, program director. Afternoon drivetime host from 1998-2001, 2003)
• Angie C (1993-2002, evenings 1996-1998. Morning arts correspondent 1998 - May 2002)
• Brian Mulhern a.k.a. "The Pharmacist" (Co-host of morning drive time show "Jaxon and the Pharmacist" August 2000- August 2001. Morning host August 2001- June 2002)
• Paul Jaxon (Co-host of morning drive time show "Jaxon and the Pharmacist" August 2000 - August 2001)
• Chris Rucker (former host of local music showcase New England Product and Promotions Manager)
• Juanita (former host of "Boston Rocks" - Local Music Showcase)
• Steven Strick was on-air and Music Director during the 1980s, before returning to WBCN.
• Dick Mac wrote and voiced the "Denver Dirt" feature in the mid-1980s.
• Kat Corbett (now middays at KROQ in Los Angeles)

[edit] References

1. ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/25/business/media/25adco.html

[edit] Resources

• WFNX official web site
• WFNX MySpace fan site