The 931 exchange

[Sean Smyth <sportswriter@dejazzd.com>]

Of course, most of us are familiar with the '931' exchange in the Boston area. In area code 617 (and 508, maybe, as well), it's always kind of served as a central exchange for radio stations' contest lines. (I believe Ticketmaster also has numbers in the 931 exchange.) In fact, pretty much all the corporate stations (Clear Channel, Viacom, Entercom) have 931 phone numbers for the contest and request lines. I have never seen a non-broadcast outlet, other than Ticketmaster, with a 931 number, so could someone tell me how/why this exchange became almost the exclusive domain of broadcasters? Almost like BayBank/BankBoston/Fleet somehow nabbing 788-5000 as the number for their telephone banking services in every metropolitan Boston areacode.

I know this isn't totally on-topic, but I figured someone in here would have the answer...

-Sean