WFNZ
Encyclopedia
WFNZ "610 AM The Fan" is a Sports Talk
format radio station
in Charlotte, North Carolina
.
, and among the WROQ/WAYS DJs to become major celebrities were Robert Murphy, later the WKQX Chicago
morning host, and actor Jay Thomas
. Larry Sprinkle, now a WCNC-TV
morning weather personality, also worked at the stations. In 1984, it became WROQ (AM) and simulcast its then-FM sister station (now WNKS
). In 1986, it changed its calls to WAES (a phonetic version of the old calls) with an oldies
format, briefly bringing back its old "61 Big Ways" moniker. However, it failed to make much headway in the ratings . After 18 months of the Oldies Channel
satellite format, WAES began airing the "AM Only
" adult standards
satellite format during the day, and talk show hosts Bruce Williams, Neil Myers and Larry King
at night. It brought back the WROQ calls in 1990, playing an album rock format similar to the one its FM sister used in its glory days. In 1991, it became WGKL, simulcasting its FM sister's oldies format. Later in 1991, it became WAQS (another phonetic play on its old calls) while keeping the oldies format.
Finally, in September 1992, it became Charlotte's first ever all-sports station as "Sports 610 AM WAQS." Gerry Vaillancourt, formerly of WCNT
, debuted the station's first local sports talk program on September 14. Another local host was Michelle Tafoya, whop was then known on-air as Mickey Conley. The format took a while to take hold, but it got an assist when it was sold to the owners of popular rock station WRFX
and became known as WRFX-AM (Fox 610 Sports). When WRFX was bought by Clear Channel
, AM 610 was sold to American Radio Systems and renamed WFNZ in 1995. The ARS deal reunited it with its former longtime FM sister.
On April 1, 1996, Vaillancourt moved to WBT
. One reason was that at WFNZ, he would have had to give up his role in Charlotte Hornets broadcasts.
In 2003, WFNZ added a semi-satellite, WFNA, on 1660 AM after the FCC expanded the AM radio band. It replaced CBS-owned gospel station WGIV (1600 AM), which left the air. (The WGIV
call letters are now on a different station in the Charlotte area, under different ownership.) The two stations simulcast on weekdays and had separate schedules during nights and weekends. Now WBCN, the station began airing a talk radio
format on September 14, 2009.
Since 2006, WFNZ has been the Charlotte-area home of North Carolina Tar Heels
football and basketball. WBT
sales director Steve Sklenar said the games pre-empted John Hancock's show and, during the ACC Tournament, Rush Limbaugh
. WBT wanted the games, Sklenar said, because its powerful 50,000-watt signal brought the Tar Heels to most of the East Coast at night. However, the pre-emptions cost the station a lot of money. WFNZ had its second frequency, allowing the station to air Charlotte 49ers
basketball even when there was a conflict.
For many years, WFNZ boasted the second-strongest signal in the Charlotte area, at 5,000 watts (which is stronger at 610 AM than it would be farther to the right on the AM dial). However, WCRU
and former sister WBCN operate at 10,000 watts. During the day, it provides at least grade B coverage to 35 counties in North and South Carolina
. However, it must power down to 1,000 watts at night due to a large glut of clear-channel stations on nearby channels. This makes WFNZ hard to hear even in some parts of Mecklenburg County
and all but unlistenable in much of the South Carolina portion of the market. Due to its nighttime signal limitations, UNC signed up WFNZ's former FM sister WRFX to simulcast Tar Heel basketball games for the 2008-09 season. Shortly after WBCN broke off from WFNZ, two of the other station's in CBS' Charlotte cluster, WPEG
and WBAV
, added WFNZ to their digital subcarriers to improve WFNZ's nighttime signal.
WFNZ runs a tailgate prior to Carolina Panthers
home games at the station's "Doghouse" located near Bank of America Stadium
.
In November 2007, the station went through a scheduling change when the station lost its syndication of The Bill Rosinski Show after the Charis Radio Network cancelled the show. Instead of picking up syndication from Sporting News Radio or ESPN Radio, the station added a one hour show featuring Chuck Howard and added an hour to the "Mac Attack" show. On Wednesday, October 1, 2008, Howard announced that he was leaving the station to become the producer for NASCAR
Media Group. A new show featuring former Carolina Panthers
players Frank Garcia and Brentson Buckner
began airing on October 6, 2008.
On September 14, 2009, WFNZ AM changed its branding from "The Franchise" to "The Fan", moving in some ESPN Radio
programming from its former sister station (see above) and dropping Sporting News Radio
programming. 1660 AM is now America's Talk 1660 (www.americastalk1660).
November 24, 2010 was the last day for Mark Packer, host of the station's most popular show "Primetime with the Packman", and a WFNZ host for 13 years. His show is still syndicated to 14 stations in markets that include Raleigh, North Carolina
, Greensboro, North Carolina
and Charleston, South Carolina
. Though Packer, son of Billy Packer
, will continue his "Southern Fried Football" and "Packman on Sports" on the WJZY
10:00 newscast, he will be off Charlotte radio due to a non-compete clause
until July 2011.
On August 8, 2011 WZGV took over ESPN Radio
programming from WFNZ, which aired the network mostly at night. Fox Sports Radio
will be used for night and weekend slots.
Sports radio
Sports radio is a radio format devoted entirely to discussion and broadcasting of sporting events. A popular format with an almost exclusively male demographic in most areas, sports radio is characterized by an often-boisterous on-air style and extensive debate and analysis by both hosts and...
format radio station
Radio station
Radio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
in Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
.
History
WFNZ signed on in 1941 as WAYS (AM). For much of the 1960s through early 1980s, it was Charlotte's top-rated Top 40 station under the moniker "61 Big Ways." The morning show was aired on both WAYS and sister FM WROQWNKS
WNKS, known on the air as KISS 95.1, is a 100,000 watt radio station in Charlotte, North Carolina. It broadcasts at 95.1 MHz from a tower in Dallas, North Carolina, primarily serving the Charlotte metropolitan area. On air programming consists of mainstream top 40 music...
, and among the WROQ/WAYS DJs to become major celebrities were Robert Murphy, later the WKQX Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
morning host, and actor Jay Thomas
Jay Thomas
Jay Thomas is an American actor, comedian and radio talk show host.-Personal life:Thomas was born in Kermit, Texas. He was raised in his Italian American mother's Roman Catholic faith, although his father was Protestant....
. Larry Sprinkle, now a WCNC-TV
WCNC-TV
WCNC-TV is the NBC affiliate in Charlotte, North Carolina. It broadcasts its digital signal on UHF channel 22 and is carried on cable channel 6 on most area cable systems. It is owned by the Belo Corporation...
morning weather personality, also worked at the stations. In 1984, it became WROQ (AM) and simulcast its then-FM sister station (now WNKS
WNKS
WNKS, known on the air as KISS 95.1, is a 100,000 watt radio station in Charlotte, North Carolina. It broadcasts at 95.1 MHz from a tower in Dallas, North Carolina, primarily serving the Charlotte metropolitan area. On air programming consists of mainstream top 40 music...
). In 1986, it changed its calls to WAES (a phonetic version of the old calls) with an oldies
Oldies
Oldies is a term commonly used to describe a radio format that concentrates on music from a period of about 15 to 55 years before the present day....
format, briefly bringing back its old "61 Big Ways" moniker. However, it failed to make much headway in the ratings . After 18 months of the Oldies Channel
Westwood One
Westwood One was an American radio network and was based in New York City. At one time, it was managed by CBS Radio, the radio arm of CBS Corporation, and Viacom and was later purchased by the private equity firm The Gores Group...
satellite format, WAES began airing the "AM Only
America's Best Music
America's Best Music is the on-air branding of an adult standards 24-hour radio network, known internally as Adult Standards and formerly known as AM Only, currently owned by Dial Global. It was one of the original Westwood One's Transtar networks...
" adult standards
Adult standards
Adult standards is a North American radio format heard primarily on AM or class A FM stations.Adult standards is aimed at "mature" adults, meaning mainly those persons over 50 years of age, but it is mostly targeted for senior citizens...
satellite format during the day, and talk show hosts Bruce Williams, Neil Myers and Larry King
Larry King
Lawrence Harvey "Larry" King is an American television and radio host whose work has been recognized with awards including two Peabodys and ten Cable ACE Awards....
at night. It brought back the WROQ calls in 1990, playing an album rock format similar to the one its FM sister used in its glory days. In 1991, it became WGKL, simulcasting its FM sister's oldies format. Later in 1991, it became WAQS (another phonetic play on its old calls) while keeping the oldies format.
Finally, in September 1992, it became Charlotte's first ever all-sports station as "Sports 610 AM WAQS." Gerry Vaillancourt, formerly of WCNT
WGFY
WGFY is a Radio Disney station serving the Charlotte, North Carolina, market. The station is owned by ABC. WGFY broadcasts with a power of 4,400 watts daytime .- History :...
, debuted the station's first local sports talk program on September 14. Another local host was Michelle Tafoya, whop was then known on-air as Mickey Conley. The format took a while to take hold, but it got an assist when it was sold to the owners of popular rock station WRFX
WRFX
WRFX is a classic rock music station in Charlotte, North Carolina.It is the flagship for the John Boy and Billy Big Show, the well-known morning show that is syndicated around the country.-History:...
and became known as WRFX-AM (Fox 610 Sports). When WRFX was bought by Clear Channel
Clear channel
A clear-channel station is an AM band Radio station in North America that has the highest protection from interference from other stations, particularly concerning night-time skywave propagation. Usually known as class A stations since 1982, they are occasionally still referred to by their former...
, AM 610 was sold to American Radio Systems and renamed WFNZ in 1995. The ARS deal reunited it with its former longtime FM sister.
On April 1, 1996, Vaillancourt moved to WBT
WBT (AM)
WBT is a radio station in Charlotte, North Carolina, broadcasting on the AM dial at 1110 kHz. A 50,000-watt clear-channel station, it can be heard across most of the eastern half of North America at night. It simulcasts on WBT-FM, at 99.3 MHz in Chester, South Carolina. It is owned by Greater...
. One reason was that at WFNZ, he would have had to give up his role in Charlotte Hornets broadcasts.
In 2003, WFNZ added a semi-satellite, WFNA, on 1660 AM after the FCC expanded the AM radio band. It replaced CBS-owned gospel station WGIV (1600 AM), which left the air. (The WGIV
WGIV
WGIV is an African american formatted radio station currently found at 1370 on the AM radio dial. Its city of license is Pineville, North Carolina...
call letters are now on a different station in the Charlotte area, under different ownership.) The two stations simulcast on weekdays and had separate schedules during nights and weekends. Now WBCN, the station began airing a talk radio
Talk radio
Talk radio is a radio format containing discussion about topical issues. Most shows are regularly hosted by a single individual, and often feature interviews with a number of different guests. Talk radio typically includes an element of listener participation, usually by broadcasting live...
format on September 14, 2009.
North Carolina Tar Heels
The North Carolina Tar Heels are the athletic teams for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The name Tar Heel is a nickname used to refer to individuals from the state of North Carolina, the Tar Heel State...
football and basketball. WBT
WBT (AM)
WBT is a radio station in Charlotte, North Carolina, broadcasting on the AM dial at 1110 kHz. A 50,000-watt clear-channel station, it can be heard across most of the eastern half of North America at night. It simulcasts on WBT-FM, at 99.3 MHz in Chester, South Carolina. It is owned by Greater...
sales director Steve Sklenar said the games pre-empted John Hancock's show and, during the ACC Tournament, Rush Limbaugh
Rush Limbaugh
Rush Hudson Limbaugh III is an American radio talk show host, conservative political commentator, and an opinion leader in American conservatism. He hosts The Rush Limbaugh Show which is aired throughout the U.S. on Premiere Radio Networks and is the highest-rated talk-radio program in the United...
. WBT wanted the games, Sklenar said, because its powerful 50,000-watt signal brought the Tar Heels to most of the East Coast at night. However, the pre-emptions cost the station a lot of money. WFNZ had its second frequency, allowing the station to air Charlotte 49ers
Charlotte 49ers
The Charlotte 49ers represent the NCAA Division I sports teams of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Charlotte joined the Atlantic 10 in 2005. The 49ers field 16 teams, 8 men and 8 women....
basketball even when there was a conflict.
For many years, WFNZ boasted the second-strongest signal in the Charlotte area, at 5,000 watts (which is stronger at 610 AM than it would be farther to the right on the AM dial). However, WCRU
WCRU
WCRU is a radio station licensed to Dallas, North Carolina and serving the Charlotte area. The station is currently owned by Truth Broadcasting Corporation.-History:...
and former sister WBCN operate at 10,000 watts. During the day, it provides at least grade B coverage to 35 counties in North and South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
. However, it must power down to 1,000 watts at night due to a large glut of clear-channel stations on nearby channels. This makes WFNZ hard to hear even in some parts of Mecklenburg County
Mecklenburg County, North Carolina
-Air:The county's primary commercial aviation airport is Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte.- Intercity rail :With twenty-five freight trains a day, Mecklenburg is a freight railroad transportation center, largely due to its place on the NS main line between Washington and Atlanta...
and all but unlistenable in much of the South Carolina portion of the market. Due to its nighttime signal limitations, UNC signed up WFNZ's former FM sister WRFX to simulcast Tar Heel basketball games for the 2008-09 season. Shortly after WBCN broke off from WFNZ, two of the other station's in CBS' Charlotte cluster, WPEG
WPEG
WPEG is a Mainstream Urban-formatted radio station in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. It broadcasts at 97.9 FM, and is owned by CBS Radio.-History:...
and WBAV
WBAV
WBAV-FM is an Urban Adult Contemporary radio station licensed to Gastonia, North Carolina and serving the Charlotte market on 101.9FM. Syndicated programs include Steve Harvey in mornings, and Michael Baisden in afternoons...
, added WFNZ to their digital subcarriers to improve WFNZ's nighttime signal.
WFNZ runs a tailgate prior to Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
home games at the station's "Doghouse" located near Bank of America Stadium
Bank of America Stadium
Bank of America Stadium is a 73,778-seat football stadium located on of land in uptown Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. It is the home facility of the Carolina Panthers NFL franchise. It also hosts the annual Belk Bowl which features teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Big East...
.
In November 2007, the station went through a scheduling change when the station lost its syndication of The Bill Rosinski Show after the Charis Radio Network cancelled the show. Instead of picking up syndication from Sporting News Radio or ESPN Radio, the station added a one hour show featuring Chuck Howard and added an hour to the "Mac Attack" show. On Wednesday, October 1, 2008, Howard announced that he was leaving the station to become the producer for NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Media Group. A new show featuring former Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
players Frank Garcia and Brentson Buckner
Brentson Buckner
Brentson André Buckner is a former American football defensive tackle in the National Football League.-College career:...
began airing on October 6, 2008.
On September 14, 2009, WFNZ AM changed its branding from "The Franchise" to "The Fan", moving in some ESPN Radio
ESPN Radio
ESPN Radio is an American sports radio network. It was launched on January 1, 1992 under the original banner of "SportsRadio ESPN." ESPN Radio is located at ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut...
programming from its former sister station (see above) and dropping Sporting News Radio
Sporting News Radio
Yahoo! Sports Radio, formerly Sporting News Radio is a United States sports radio network that broadcasts sports news, talk, scores, and highlights 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. On August 1, 2011, it was announced the network would change its name to Yahoo! Sports Radio, effective...
programming. 1660 AM is now America's Talk 1660 (www.americastalk1660).
November 24, 2010 was the last day for Mark Packer, host of the station's most popular show "Primetime with the Packman", and a WFNZ host for 13 years. His show is still syndicated to 14 stations in markets that include Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
, Greensboro, North Carolina
Greensboro, North Carolina
Greensboro is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the third-largest city by population in North Carolina and the largest city in Guilford County and the surrounding Piedmont Triad metropolitan region. According to the 2010 U.S...
and Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
. Though Packer, son of Billy Packer
Billy Packer
Anthony William "Billy" Packer is a former American sportscaster for CBS Sports and a published author.-Early life:Packer is a graduate of Liberty High School in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania...
, will continue his "Southern Fried Football" and "Packman on Sports" on the WJZY
WJZY
WJZY is the CW-affiliated television station for Charlotte, North Carolina licensed to Belmont. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 47 from a transmitter in Dallas along the Catawba River. The station can also be seen on Time Warner Cable channel 8 and in high definition...
10:00 newscast, he will be off Charlotte radio due to a non-compete clause
Non-compete clause
A non-compete clause , or covenant not to compete , is a term used in contract law under which one party agrees not to pursue a similar profession or trade in competition against another party . As a contract provision, a CNC is bound by traditional contract requirements including the...
until July 2011.
On August 8, 2011 WZGV took over ESPN Radio
ESPN Radio
ESPN Radio is an American sports radio network. It was launched on January 1, 1992 under the original banner of "SportsRadio ESPN." ESPN Radio is located at ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut...
programming from WFNZ, which aired the network mostly at night. Fox Sports Radio
Fox Sports Radio
Fox Sports Radio, abbreviated FSR, is an international radio network consisting of sports talk programming. The network is a service of Premiere Networks...
will be used for night and weekend slots.
Current Hosts and Producers
- Chris McClain: Host of "The Mac Attack"
- Jim Celania: Co-host of "The Mac Attack"
- Frank Garcia: Co-host of "Bustin' Loose With Frank & Moose"
- Brett Jensen: Host of "On The Beat With Brett Jensen"
- Taylor Zarzour and Marc James: Co-hosts of "The Drive"
Former
- Gary Williams
- Chuck Howard
- Ethan Horton
- Bill RosinskiBill RosinskiBill Rosinski is an American sportscaster and talk show host, operating primarily out of Charlotte, North Carolina.Rosinski currently works for ESPN Radio as its lead college football and college basketball commentator, as well as for ISP Sports calling ACC sports...
- Brian "Hayseed" Stroup
- Sandy Penner
- The B.O.C. with Shawn and Tony
- Tom Carey
- Jim Noble
- Steve CzabanSteve CzabanSteve Czaban is an American sports radio personality. Czaban hosts The Steve Czaban Show on Yahoo! Sports Radio weekday mornings from 6 to 10 a.m., and co-hosts The Sports Reporters with Andy Pollin on "ESPN 980" WTEM weekday afternoons from 4 to 7 p.m...
- Mark Packer
- Brentson BucknerBrentson BucknerBrentson André Buckner is a former American football defensive tackle in the National Football League.-College career:...