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Official: WEEI/Boston Announces FM Simulcast
September 8, 2011 at 5:51 AM (PT)
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As tipped first at ALL ACCESS yesterday afternoon (NET NEWS 9/7), ENTERCOM Talk WEEI-A/BOSTON announced at 8a (ET) TODAY during JOHN DENNIS and GERRY CALLAHAN's morning show that it is adding its long-awaited FM simulcast on MONDAY (9/12) at 6a (ET). The station's programming will replace the present Adult Hits format on sister WMKK (93.7 MIKE FM).
DENNIS called the announcement "a great day for the radio station, and also a great day for our listeners." He read a statement that noted that the FM simulcast would double the station's reach. CALLAHAN noted that 93.7 was once owned by sportscasting legend CURT GOWDY and both DENNIS and CALLAHAN described reception problems with the AM signal that will be solved with the FM simulcast.
"This is an extremely exciting day for our brand, our clients, and most importantly our listeners. It has always been our goal to deliver the most compelling and entertaining brand of sports talk to BOSTON, and I'm thrilled that we can now present that brand in crystal clear FM," said WEEI VP of Programming JASON WOLFE in a press release sent out after DENNIS and CALLAHAN's on-air announcement. "20 years ago, WEEI was a single radio station. Today, WEEI broadcasts across the largest regional radio network in NEW ENGLAND, with the most complete lineup of content in sports radio today. Plus RED SOX radio on FM! BOSTON sports fans will love listening to RED SOX play-by-play in crystal clear FM as they drive toward another playoff run."
"Expanding to FM is a logical next step that prepares WEEI for the future. Our goal is to grow our audience and continue our track record of advertiser results," said VP/GM JEFF BROWN. "Our research clearly shows expanding WEEI to FM will bring in a wider and more complete audience. 35-54's will spend more time with us on FM, and younger demos will make WEEI part of their consideration set."
WEEI has been battling an FM format competitor, CBS RADIO Sports WBZ-F (98.5 THE SPORTS HUB), for the last two years. The station's programming airs on FM stations in PROVIDENCE (WEEI-F) and SPRINGFIELD (WVEI-F) as well as on FM stations in NEW HAMPSHIRE and MAINE, and on WVEI-A/WORCESTER.