Product Code Database
WHYN-FM (93.1 Hertz "Mix 93.1") is a commercial radio radio station licensed to Springfield, and serving the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts. It airs a hot adult contemporary radio format and is owned by iHeartMedia, Inc. It carries several nationally syndicated shows from co-owned Premiere Networks, including Mario Lopez weekday evenings and American Top 40 with Ryan Seacrest on Sundays. The studios and offices are in downtown Springfield's "Marketplace" along with sister stations 560 WHYN (talk radio), and 100.9 WRNX (country music).
WHYN-FM has an effective radiated power (ERP) of 8,600 watts. The transmitter is atop Mount Tom in Holyoke, Massachusetts, more than in height above average terrain (HAAT). Radio-Locator.com/WHYN-FM The signal can be heard as far south as South Central Connecticut and as far north as Vermont and New Hampshire. WHYN-FM broadcasts using HD Radio technology. Its HD-2 digital subchannel airs an urban contemporary format known as "97.3 The Beat." It feeds 250-watt FM translator W247DL in Westfield at 97.3 MHz. Radio-Locator.com/W247DL
By 1953, when WHYN-TV (now WGGB-TV) signed on from Mount Tom, only WHYN-FM was still transmitting from the mountain, as WMAS-FM had moved to the WMAS (now WHLL) tower in Springfield and WACE-FM had gone dark. That same year, WHYN-AM-FM's city of license was changed to Springfield.
WHYN-FM continued to program an Easy Listening format late into the 1970s. After being purchased by Affiliated Communications, the station's format was switched to adult contemporary music geared towards an 18–54 female demographic. At that point, Frank Knight and Ron Russell exited to be the morning team on Lapin Communications' 1450 WHLL for that station's "Music Of Your Life" adult standards format.
After several months, it became obvious this approach was not working. Larry Caringer, hired by Anderson as assistant program director and morning host, was given the reins as PD. With Mary Ferrero as music director, the two fashioned a blend of rock and pop hits. Within one rating period, WHFM was number one in the 18–49 demographic. "Caringer and Friends" was the number one morning show in Springfield.
Much of the air staff and other employees were fired. However, Caringer, Ferrero and Casey Palmer remained on-air. Caringer stayed on as PD through the format change, eventually giving up the position when it became obvious he was no longer making management decisions, but simply an order taker from the consultant in Seattle. "Caringer and Friends" newscaster Bill Hess took the PD position. Several weeks later, Hess fired Caringer – and took over the morning show. (Caringer had just been voted "Most Popular Radio Personality" by The Valley Advocate.) Ann Strong did mid-days and Casey Palmer was the afternoon jock. Evening DJ Mary Ferrero, who lost her position to Strong, exited to become the production director at WMAS-AM-FM and Jennifer Fox took her place on WHYN-FM.
WHYN and WHYN-FM were later sold by Wilks-Schwartz to Radio Equity Partners who later sold to Clear Channel Communications (now iHeartMedia) in 1996. The station hired newscaster Tony Gill, who had worked in the Boston market at radio stations WBZ and WRKO. He served as special assistant to Mayor Raymond Flynn's communications office. While at WHYN, Gill was hired by WTIC-TV as a general assignment reporter.
WHYN-FM was home to the Dan (Williams) and Kim (Zachary) morning show. They were heard on Springfield radio for more than 15 years before the two were let go in late 2011. The Dan and Kim morning show originally began on WHYN in 1995 before switching over to the FM in 1997. Dan had gone through a series of morning co-hosts following some ownership and program director changes. Kim replaced Bo Sullivan as Dan's co-host and the show improved in the ratings almost immediately. Evenings were being "Voice-tracking" by Jennifer Fox (who was working at Clear Channel in Vermont). Due to budget constraints, the station fired her in late 2006 and was replaced by the syndicated John Tesh show at night. Evenings now feature the syndicated Mario Lopez.
|
|
