WFCR Switches AM Frequencies

[David Tomm]

I thought that WPNI ran different NPR programming than WFCR.  As I 
understood it, 88.5 would run the main programs (Morning Edition, All 
Things Considered, etc.)  along with some local fare while 1430 carried 
primarily alternate shows that didn't clear on the FM.  It seems to be 
a waste to run the exact same programming on 88.5 and 1430 since the FM 
signal is far superior throughout all of WPNI's footprint.

Now that WNNZ will be working with WFCR and the two stations are some 
distance apart, will it be a straight simulcast or will 640 break away 
to run some different shows?

Also, is Springfield one of the markets Clear Channel is spinning off 
in it's move to go private?  Maybe the LMA of WNNZ will become an 
outright purchase somewhere down the road..

Dave Tomm
"Mike Thomas"


On Mar 9, 2007, at 3:39 PM, Laurence Glavin wrote:

> For several years, non-comm WFCR-FM 88.5 in Amherst has simulcast many 
> of
> its news and talk programming on a very-directional 5,000-watt 
> daytimer,
> WPNI-AM 1430 COL also Amherst.  According to the Springfield Republican
> newspaper, that arrangement will soon cease, and all of this 
> programming
> will transfer to full-time WNNZ-AM 640, 50,000 watts days...1,000 
> watts at night.
> AM 640 currently has a mostly satellite-delivered sports format with 
> some
> collegiate PBP.  WFCR will not own WNNZ, but has entered into an LMA 
> with
> (gasp!) Clear Channel Communications.  Last fall, CCU declared that
> there was more money to be made in sports than in liberal talk as it
> prepared to flip its Madison, WI FM outlet;  now apparently sports has
> turned out to be a loser in Western Massachusetts, especially since
> Entercomm introduced an FM sports station into the area.  WFCR has been
> becoming an even greater presence in the 413 area code by sprouting
> new translators in many of the hill towns out there.  The switcheroo is
> slated to happen in April;  April 2nd to let people know they're 
> serious.