[BC] FM History

[Sid Schweiger]

Richard B. Johnson recalls:  "Asnebumskit Hill min Paxton:
http://www.mountainzone.com/mountains/detail.asp?fid=6758956
Previous site of several failed TV stations and the original site of WTAG-FM with its General Electric Phaestron Rig. http://www.w9gr.com/phasitron.html
That site is now WSRS-FM, arguably the best FM site in Massachusetts with reception possible from Maine to Long Island!"

Ironically, it's now the studio site for WTAG(AM) as well, since they are commonly-owned by Clear Channel.

WTAG-FM has an interesting history all by itself.  The Worcester Telegram & Gazette, its original owners, obtained the CP for TV channel 5, couldn't build it for some reason, and turned it back, at which time it was reassigned to Boston.  They then obtained a CP for 96.1 Mc, and refused to build it on the grounds that they believed (as late as the 1980's) that FM would go nowhere.  (Yes, that's correct.  WTAG's GM was quoted in the T&G in the 1980's as saying that WSRS was "not a factor in the Worcester market," despite the fact that WSRS was cleaning their clock ratings-wise.)  So, they sold the FM CP for a mere pittance to Norman Knight, who turned it into Worcester's Stereo Radio Station.

Sid Schweiger
IT Manager, Entercom New England
20 Guest St / 3d Floor
Brighton MA  02135-2040