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WFNX is a New England commercial alternative music radio station. Its audience is based in Boston, Massachusetts, where it broadcasts on 101.7 MHz 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 11 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.
Signal upgrade and ratings issues
On March 30 ,2006, WFNX got a major signal upgrade, doubling its power and receiving permission from the FCC to begin broadcasting from its new antenna located atop 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.
This marked the second time in WFNX’s 24-year history that the station moved or upgraded its signal. However, WFNX is still far behind its competitors in signal strength and overall market coverage area. The 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.
To promote its signal upgrade in downtown Boston, WFNX sold all of its commerical 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 States dollar|US$" target="_blank" >*2 million deal allowed the station to eliminate traditional commerical breaks for that time. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/25/business/media/25adco.html
Programming
WFNX features several specialty shows. Leftover Lunch, weekdays from noon to 1 PM, features alternative music from the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. Alter Ego with Paul Driscoll, which airs weeknights from 7 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 to 10 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 to 11 PM.
Trivia
Nirvana's 1993 It's An Interview release was taped at the station.
DJs
WFNX DJs include:
- Michael Swasey host of The Swasey Show
- Paul Driscoll, Music Director and host of Alter Ego
- Julie Kramer, host of Leftover Lunch
- Keith Dakin
References
Resources
1983 establishments | Modern rock radio stations | Radio stations in Boston | Radio stations in Maine | Radio stations in New Hampshire
"WFNX"