WFNX

Infobox Radio Station
name = WFNX


area = Greater Boston, Manchester, NH, Portsmouth, NH, and Portland, ME,
branding = 101.7/92.1 FNX
slogan = True Alternative
airdate = November 1947
frequency = WFNX: 101.7 (MHz) (Boston)
WFEX: 92.1 (MHz) (Manchester, NH)
WPHX: 92.1 (MHz) (Portsmouth, NH; Portland, ME)
erp = WFNX: 1,700 watts
WFEX: 170 watts
WPHX: 1,800 watts
haat = WFNX: 191 meters
WFEX: 423 meters
WPHX: 156 meters
class = WFNX: A
WFEX: A
WPHX: A
facility_id = WFNX: 40824
WFEX: 52399
WPHX: 74067
format = Modern rock
owner = Phoenix Media/Communications Group
licensee = MCC Broadcasting Company, Inc.
webcast = [http://www.streamaudio.com/stations/asx/WFNX_FM.asx Listen Live]
website = [http://www.fnxradio.com/ FNXRadio.com]
callsign_meaning = Phoenix as in "Boston Phoenix"

WFNX is a New England commercial alternative rock radio station and Boston's only locally owned radio station. Colloquially referred to as "FNX", the station began broadcasting on Monday, April 11th 1983. It was one of the first American commercial stations to play alternative rock and has become one of the leading radio stations in the world for breaking new alternative music.

WFNX broadcasts on 101.7 MHz from the top of One Financial Center in downtown Boston and is also simulcast on two other New England radio stations, both broadcasting on 92.1 MHz: WFEX in Peterborough, New Hampshire (serving Manchester, NH) and WPHX-FM in Sanford, Maine (serving Portsmouth, NH and Portland, ME).

WFNX is owned by the Phoenix Media/Communications Group and promoted as the broadcast cousin of the "Boston Phoenix", the Boston area's long-running alternative media newspaper.

History

101.7FM began as the FM outfit of WLYN in November 1947. 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 1970s, WLYN-FM had begun broadcasting ethnic programming in the midday 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.

ignal Upgrade and Ratings Growth

On March 30th 2006, WFNX doubled its power after receiving permission from the FCC to begin broadcasting from its new antenna located atop One Financial Center in downtown Boston. 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 deal allowed the station to eliminate traditional commercial breaks for that time.

The combination of WFNX's signal upgrade and the departure of Howard Stern from WBCN resulted in a significant ratings change in the core rock 18-34 demographic in Boston starting in 2006. Arbitron Ratings four ratings books in 2007 (Fa06, Wi07, Sp07, Su07) showed that WFNX's weekday 18-34 audience share had increased by 43% over 2005, while WBCN's 18-34 share decreased by 39% from 2005.

Trivia

Nirvana's 1993 "Nevermind It's an Interview" limited-edition promotional release on Geffen Records was produced and engineered at the station by Kurt St. Thomas and Troy Smith. The original interview sessions were recorded by St. Thomas the night of Nirvana's first appearance on NBC's "Saturday Night Live" in 1992.

Programming

Specialty shows include: "First Contact/Sunday Night New Music Program", hosted by Steve Theo"New England Product/Sunday Night Local Music Program", hosted by Dave Duncan"One In Ten" (Sunday Night Gay & Lesbian Talk Show), hosted by Keith Orr and Sue O'Connell"The Jazz Brunch", hosted by Jeff Turton and Mike Adams on Sunday mornings.

On July 23rd 2007, former WDYL personalities Charlie, Fletcher, and Special Ed reunited on WFNX as the hosts of a new morning show, "The Sandbox". Starting at midnight July 16, "The Sandbox" did a preview week during the overnight hours on WFNX. "The Sandbox" officially debuted during morning drive on July 23rd. [http://www.radioandrecords.com/RRWebSite/Search.aspx?search=WFNX]

The weekend air staff includes Jim Ryan, D-Tension, Clarissa, Jason Layne, Aaron Sullivan, Xero, Eric Stafford and Private Snowball.

Notable Former On-Air Personalities

*Kurt St. Thomas, former production, music and program director, evening host, 1987-1995, award winning independent filmaker Co-wrote "Nirvana: The Chosen Rejects" with ex-FNX jock Troy Smith. Now at KROQ-FM in Los Angeles.
*Troy Smith, a.k.a "Boy Troy", former Production, Music and Program Director, midday show host, 1989-1996, now at WQRC-FM, Cape Cod, MA
*Bruce McDonald, former Music Director, Assistant Program Director air staff 1983-1990; evening host, 1989-1990. Creator and host of "Moods For Moderns" which mutated into "First Contact." Many interviews included Elvis Costello, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Lou Reed, David Bowie, The B-52s, Johnny Rotten, Kate Bush, XTC, The Pixies, Nine Inch Nails, Sugarcubes, Midnight Oil, The The and Depeche Mode. Later Program Director of WHTG, Asbury Park. Also Polydor Recordss' National Director of Promotion, Restless Records' Vice President of Promotion and Mute Records' Artist Development.
*Tom Irwin a.k.a. "Morning Guy Tai" for his initials T.A.I. (morning drivetime host 1985 - May 1997)
*Joanne Doody (Evenings 1983-1985, middays 1985-1994)
*Tom Lane (1983?-?)
*Nik Carter (Evenings 1988-1995, middays September - November 1995). Left to join WBCN-FM. Now hosting middays at K-Rock in New York City.
*Neal Robert (1987?-1995, 1998-2000. co-host of morning drivetime show "Asleep At The Wheel" May 1998 - 2000)
*Anngelle Wood (part-time then midday fill-in 1998-2002; Morning co-host and music and entertainment reporter, 2002-2005) - now at WZLX, Boston.
*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). Recently started on-air gig at Indie 103.1 in Los Angeles.
*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)
*Juanita (former host of "Boston Rocks" - local music showcase)
*Steven Strick was on-air and music director during the 1980s, before returning to WBCN. Now a business owner in the Los Angeles area.
*Dick Mac wrote and voiced the "Denver Dirt" feature in the mid-1980s.
*Kat Corbett (now middays at KROQ in Los Angeles and host of Locals Only)
*Michael Swasey (2004-2007, "Swasey in the Morning" show host)
*Kevin Mays (Former music director and part time on-air talent) Currently the music director and afternoon drive talent at WBTZ-FM in Burlington, VT.
*Duane Bruce 1987-1992(Host of "Radio Free Boston","Moods for Moderns" and "X-Nite")Killed in a drive-by shooting in 2007.
*Bill Abbate (1984-1988 evenings & weekends); Stepped down to add golden voice to WBCN & Patriots Rock Radio Network: 1988–2003
*Laurie Gail (former Music Director)
*Max Tolkoff (was the Program Director in early '90s and then again in 2003) Currently is the PD for Indie 103.1 in Los Angeles and programming consultant for WFNX.

References

*1992 Broadcasting & Cable Marketplace, page A-165

External links

* [http://www.fnxradio.com/1/home.asp WFNX official web site]
* [http://www.myspace.com/wfnxboston WFNX MySpace fan site]
*FMQ|WFNX
*FML|WFNX
*FMARB|WFNX
*FMQ|WFEX
*FML|WFEX
*FMARB|WFEX
*FMQ|WPHX
*FML|WPHX
*FMARB|WPHX