Phoenix Media has announced the sale of Alternative WFNX-FM in Boston to radio giant Clear Channel – which is currently operating an underweight two-FM, two-AM cluster in the market.
Phoenix exec Stephen Mindich broke the news to the staff and posted the news on the company’s Boston Phoenix.
Mindich listed some of the stations achievements over the years, then said, “Despite its celebrated history, its cutting edge programming, its tradition of breaking new music, its ardent fans among listeners and advertisers, for some time it has been difficult to sustain the station — especially since the start of the Great Recession. And that is why the station is being sold.”
Terms of the deal were not revealed.
WFNX is a Class A licensed to Lynn MA. Its 101.7 MHz signal beams 1.7 kW @ 627’, and although the contour is not large, it is well-centered over the urban area.
Clear Channel has plenty of room to grow in the market – it still has room under local ownership caps to add up to two more FMs in addition to WFNX, and would have room for another AM as well.
Its two FMs in the market are both ratings powerhouses – Jam’n 94.5 WJMN-FM and “Kiss 108” WXKS-FM 107.9. It also has “Talk 1200” WXKS-AM and Spanish-formated “Mia 1430” WKOX-AM.
Mindich said it would be business as usual at the station while the deal is processed, and that all events on its calendar would go forth as scheduled.
