WBPS and WNFT

[Rob Landry <umar@nerodia.wcrb.com>]

Today I had occasion to visit the new Charlestown studios of Mega
Communications' new Boston stations: WNFT 1150, which plays an uptempo
Spanish-language music format aimed at men, and WBPS 890, which targets a
Spanish-speaking female audience with an AC format.  At the time of my
visit WBPS was broadcasting from the new facility, but WNFT's air studio
was still under construction and programming was coming from a temporary
studio at the station's transmitter site.

This is very different from previous attempts at Spanish-language radio in
Boston, which have mostly been made by brokers leasing a few hours a day
on stations such as WUNR, often to promote other businesses such as
newspapers or grocery stores. Mega is pouring serious money into its new
stations, importing talent from major stations in New York and
Philadelphia, and building a first class facility. The stations will
feature live announcers and local programming, a digital audio system
similar to WCRB's, and a real news department. And, of course, they will
be stereo. 

As I recall the Spanish-speaking population of eastern Massachusetts is at
least 150,000. Mega should be able to make a pretty good dent in the
ratings.


Rob Landry
umar@nerodia.wcrb.com

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