WFNX Sold to ClearChannel: I hope you had the time of your life

[tom-champion.livejournal.com]

I freely confess that I was never a steady WFNX listener, although Mayor Joe's recent string of victories in the "My Song is Better Than Your Song" contests gave me a new connection and an appreciation for the station and its audience..

But even an NPR addict like me knows that independent indie rock stations are inherently valuable institutions.  To see one go under is a sad thing.  To see it converted, as is rumored, to yet another homogenized, pre-programmed country station is even worse.  To see 'FNXfall into the hands of conservative media giant ClearChannel Communications (Bain Capital is part-owner) is just awful.

Deep sigh.

Comments

[spatch]

Well I for one welcome WFNX's inevitable arbitrary format change, because this city needs another station that plays the hits of the 60s, 70s, 80s and today plus lyrics that won't embarrass me in front of my kids.

Or a country station.


Today is Opposite Day, isn't it?

[clevernonsense.livejournal.com]

This is the *only* music station I had preset on my car. Not that I listened often, but this just seems like a pointless acquisition. If you don't care about the fnx brand, why buy it?

[bostonartist.livejournal.com]

Clear Channel must want the position on the dial and the FCC license.

[clevernonsense.livejournal.com]

i'll admit i don't know much about the industry, but considering all the low-end junk on the radio these days, it seems like a cheaper option would be readily accessible.

[josephineave.livejournal.com]

Except the FCC isn't issuing new licenses. Much like liquor licenses, they are given an artificial level of scarcity.




Disclosure: I worked for the parent company PMCG in the 2000's.

[lbmango.livejournal.com]

yes. They appear to want to replace it with country music or something.

Is there really more call for another country music than there is for independent rock?

oh well, more NPR for me I guess.

[pierceheart.livejournal.com]

ad revenue. One more station means more ad buys for Clear Channel.

[ron_newman]

My understanding is they are not even buying the 'brand' (call letters).

[clevernonsense.livejournal.com]

So essentially they are just buying their license and the spot on the dial?

[lbmango.livejournal.com]

yep

[dcltdw]

No, it's not.

;)

[tsuki-no-bara.livejournal.com]

oh, that sucks. is there really that big a market for country music or spanish-language radio in this city?

[drella1966.livejournal.com]

Rename the station WKRP and bring back wackiness and free choice. Since this will never happen, Sirius XM is the way to go kids...

[nickp91.livejournal.com]

First WBCN left Boston radio now it looks WFNX is going

[sunspiral.livejournal.com]

Granted that WFNX has been in a slow descent into mediocrity for the last couple of decades, but they still played stuff that the other rock stations wouldn't. This is a big loss to Boston's music scene.

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

I am bummed. Not that I listen to anything but the college stations much, but still.

[lefauxfrog.livejournal.com]

Awful. The homogenization of commercial radio continues. There are a few good local choices left, but it's no wonder so many people turn to satellite radio, Internet streaming (like me), or just get bored with radio altogether.

[drella1966.livejournal.com]

92.1 the outlet for WFNX in NH was sold to a Christian Music station in Derry NH. Right Wing has won in the free Boston Radio world. *sigh*

[rethcir.livejournal.com]

If you make a Phoenix pandora station, you should be covered.