What's the Best Radio Station in the Boston Area?
Another independent Boston radio station—WFNX—bites the dust. Is Boston radio worth listening to anymore?
The Phoenix Media/Communications Group, which owns WFNX radio (101.7 FM) announced today that it was planning to sell the radio station to ClearChannel, a global communications group that owns 850 radio stations in the country, according to the company's website.
WFNX was one of the last places on Boston's radio dial to hear current and upcoming rock bands along with popular favorites—not obscure and esoteric stuff commonly found on certain college radio stations, and not the top 40 stuff that dominates other stations.
WFNX's sale comes after those of other Boston rock stations. In 2009, WBCN's 104.1 FM frequency went into the hands of CBS Radio. It now plays "today's best variety."
A Patch colleague with a better memory recalls WCOZ, which is now JAM'N 94.5, a top hits hip-hop station.
There's still some rock on Boston radio. WFNX (100.7) plays classic rock, when you're in the mood. WAAF (107.3) also plays a mix of rock, mostly stuff you've heard before. WERS (88.9), out of Emerson College, plays a mix of new rock and indie music at the low end of the FM dial, but its programming also ranges widely, from a cappella to children's music, reggae and folk.
Is the contemporary rock scene on Boston radio dead? Do you care about the WFNX sale? What stations do y'all listen to, anyway? Or have iPods killed the radio star?
John Bengtson
2:30 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
The Internet killed the radio star.
'COZ. 'CGY. 'BCN and now 'FNX, gone.
Sara Jacobi
3:28 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
So sad about this. When 'BCN went away I switched to 'FNX, and was really into the music they played. I found out about a lot of new bands when I was driving around Wakefield in the afternoon... now, it sounds like tomorrow is their last day on the air. SO SAD! This probably seals the fact that I'll listen primarily to internet radio, like Pandora and Spotify. You can only hear so much Top 40 pop before it drives you bonkers.
Sara Jacobi
9:20 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
OK, looks like they actually have two months left, although Adam12's last show is tomorrow. Will be listening!
Sara Jacobi
4:02 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Some comments coming in via Twitter: "@Boatbost: good! Way too liberal, their only good show is julie kramer, left over lunch, those morning clowns are terrible." and "@JohnnyBoston (local Wakefield musician) - #WFNX was very important 2 the local music scene. Not only did they spin Boston bands, but they would announce our shows."
Nick Pirce
4:22 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Sad day for Boston radio
Leah Hancock
4:53 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
I've been an FNX listener for as long as I can remember. My husband and I are such fans that we had Julie Kramer spin our wedding (the first decision we made, before we were even engaged), and people are still talking about how much fun they had. Adam 12 (on in the afternoons) is originally from Greenwood and is a real stand-up guy. Long story short, I'm really bummed out.
alan e allen, star
7:34 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
make your story more clear, more complete. for example, wfnx had crap for a signal, it was a peashooter, so it bought several other stations, like the old wmdk in peterboro nh, which had a better signal, and ran fnx over it. does clear get wmdk? what about the other links in their chain?
Arthur Guardia
7:50 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
FNX... thanks for the memories and fun times. It's definitely a sad day for independent radio. I wish Henry, Jules, Adam 12 and the rest of the gang all the best.
Alan Zall
10:06 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Disappointing, but not surprising.
Judge Amy Gray
9:09 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Wzlx = 100.7
Mike Pearlman
10:11 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
I listen mostly to iPod music + podcasts in the car now. For the times I turn on the radio, I really miss "Mike-FM" 93.7. They really did "Play everything". Once internet hotspots and internet radio are integrated nicely into more new car models, will people still want to listen to commercial-laden local (or large corporate) radio? Even XM's dying.