WFNX

From Free net encyclopedia

Template:Infobox Radio Station WFNX is a New England commercial alternative music radio station. Its audience is based in Boston, Massachusetts, where it broadcasts on 101.7 and 101.3 FM. WFNX is also simulcast on two other New England radio frequencies: 92.1FM WFEX in Manchester, New Hampshire and 92.1FM WPHX in Portland, Maine. 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 11th 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.

On March 30th 2006, WFNX got a major signal upgrade. WFNX has now doubled its power and was given permission by the FCC to begin broadcasting from its new tower located on the top of One Financial Center in downtown Boston. The station was previously broadcasting from suburban Medford and had a spotty signal in portions of the city of Boston, which has a large concentration of college students (a target group). This marks the second time in WFNX’s 24-year history that the station has moved or upgraded its signal.

However, WFNX is still far behind it's competitors in signal strength and overall market coverage area. The WFNX 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. It survives by selling advertisers on its young, active, club-hopping and show-attending audience. However, with the new antenna right on top of the tall Boston city skyline (although still restricted somewhat by "class a" lower power), the WFNX signal will--for the first time--be heard clearly in all areas of the city itself.

1 Programming
2 Trivia
3 DJs
4 Resources

[edit]

Programming

WFNX features several specialty shows. Leftover Lunch, weekdays from noon to 1:00 PM, features alternative music from the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. Alter Ego with Paul Driscoll, which airs weeknights from 7:00 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 8:00 PM to 10:00 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 10-11pm.

[edit]