WTFX (AM)

Infobox Radio station
name = WTFX


city = Winchester, Virginia
area = Winchester, Virginia
Berryville, Virginia
branding = "SportsTalk 610"
slogan = "1st with Scores & Breaking Sports News"
airdate = 1961
frequency = 610 kHz
format = Sports News/Talk
power = 500 Watts days
500 Watts nights
erp =
class = B
callsign_meaning = W The FoX
carries Fox Sports, also a nod at sister WFQX-FM
former_callsigns = WHPL (1961-1982)
WVAI (1982-1986)
WUSQ-AM (1986-1993)
WNTW (1993-2002)
WTFX (2002-Present)
owner = Clear Channel
BT Triple Crown Merger Co., Inc.
sister_stations = WKSI, WFQX, WMRE, WUSQ
webcast = [http://www.sportstalk610.com/cc-common/streaming_new/index.html WTFX Webstream]
website = [http://www.sportstalk610.com WTFX Online]
affiliations = Fox Sports Radio

WTFX in a sports news/talk formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Winchester, Virginia.

History

WHPL-AM

WTFX-AM began was launched by ShenVal Broadcasting as WHPL-AM in 1961. The WHPL calls stood for "Where Happy People Listen". The studios then were located at "Studio Park" off US 50, west of Winchester, where the WTFX towers still remain, though not the studios.

WHPL carried NBC News and a lot of high school sports. During the late 60's, WHPL increased its sports coverage so much that not only did they carry local high school sports, but baseball, VA State Softball, NASCAR and even swimming. WHPL was, for the longest time, the broadcast home of races from Winchester Speedway.

The country format lasted until 1975 when WHPL went Top 40. "The Big 61" rivaled even local powerhouse WINC-AM. Needless to say, "61 WHPL" added to their popularity playing music that WINC-AM wouldn't.

Still broadcasting high school sports, WHPL also did quite a few "Radio-Thons" during the 70's and 80's.

In 1977, WHPL switched from NBC to Mutual.

In 1980, WHPL, still owned by ShenVal Broadcasting, revamped their sound into more of an Adult Contemporary sound. Though they added new jingles and such, by 1981, WHPL became more automated before going completely satellite in 1982.

In late 1981, ShenVal Broadcasting sold WHPL and sister WEFG-FM (now WUSQ) to Holt Limited Partnership out of Pennsylvania.

In end of WHPL came in April 1982 with Holt switching the calls to WVAI. The last song played on WHPL was "New World Coming" by the late Mama Cass. Oddly enough, this was the same soung used a number of years earlier to end a well known Washington, DC, radio station, when WMOD became country WMZQ-FM (as it still is today).

WVAI-AM

After Holt launched WVAI (calls meant West VIrginia or VIrginia), the format was switched from Adult Contemporary to Big Band/Standards and a brand new name, "Unforgettable 610". This would be the beginning of a constantly changing format at WVAI, which would continue for years to come.

In the Summer of 1983, WVAI started playing more current music from the 70s and 80s (a playlist you would hear on a classic rock station).

In January 1984, WVAI became "MusicRadio 610" and Top 40 returned, though still automated. By March of 1984, WVAI began simulcasting sister WUSQ's morning show as rumors swirled that the stations would become a full-time AM/FM simulcast. By the Fall of '84, WVAI again reinvented itself as "Golden Lite 610" with a very easy listening format.

By Spring of 1985, WVAI again went through a format change as longtime WINC-AM-er Joe Pasquali came over to WVAI to host mornings. Now with a more uptempo format, more listeners came back to the AM station and by the Fall of '85, Top 40 again returned to WVAI and more live DJs and less satellite automation.

In September 1986, WVAI was gone, replaced with full-time simulcast of sister WUSQ-FM. Calls were also changed to WUSQ-AM.

WUSQ-AM

In the Summer of 1989, WUSQ-AM came out of its simulcast with its FM sister to became classic country formatted "US 61". But would go back to simulcasting WUSQ-FM just two years later.

In 1991, Holt sold WUSQ-AM and WUSQ-FM told Baltimore based Benchmark Communications.

In the Summer of 1992, WUSQ-AM again switched formats and simulcasts CNN Headline News around the clock as "610 CNN". This would continue until the Summer of '93, when more talk programs were added and the name changed again to "WUSQ-AM 61".

On August 1, 1993, WUSQ-AM would flip to a complete news/talk format, no CNN simulcast, and a new set of calls. This time, WNTW, which stood for We're News Talk Winchester.

WNTW-AM

WNTW launched with a full morning team of Joe Pasquali, Randy Woodward and Mario Rotosi (the latter two now at WZRV). The attempt to add in live callers into the morning show bombed because no one called.

The news/talk format would continue into late 1998, when the morning team was replaced by a national syndicated morning show, making WNTW, again, fully automated.

In November 1999, WNTW would begin playing music again, this time, all Christmas music. On December 26, 1999, the Christmas music was gone, replaced with Contemporary Christian music and new liners, such as "Now, a station the whole family can listen to".

From 1996 until 2000, WNTW would see their ownership change from Benchmark to Capstar to AM/FM, finally to Clear Channel where it remains today.

During the last part of 1999, WNTW became Winchester's full time ABC affiliate.

WTFX-AM

On April 19, 2002, WNTW dropped their Contemporary Christian format and ABC news for Fox Sports radio. Only Saturday Night high school football games and Winchester Royals broadcasts remain as the only local broadcasts on AM610.

Trivia

While the WNTW calls have since moved to a news-talk'er in Somerset, Pennsylvania, [http://www.wntw.com wntw.com] website continues to redirect to the WTFX-AM website some 5 years after the end of the Winchester's WNTW.

References

* [http://www.winchesterstar.com/TheWinchesterStar/991215/Business_wntw.asp "Change In The Airwaves At Winchester Station"] , "Winchester Star", December 15, 1999

External links

* [http://www.sportstalk610.com SportsTalk 610 Online]
*
*