WFNT

WFNT

WFNT

Radio station in Flint, Michigan

WFNT (1470 kHz) is a commercial AM radio station in Flint, Michigan. It is owned by Townsquare Media and until December 31, 2023, broadcast a talk radio format. The studios and transmitter are on East Bristol Road in Burton.

Quick Facts Broadcast area, Frequency ...

By day, WFNT was powered at 5,000 watts. But at night, to avoid interfering with other stations on 1470 AM, it reduced power to 1,000 watts. WFNT used a directional antenna with a three-tower array. The transmitter is on FDP Drive near Bristol Road in Burton.[2]

Programming included mostly syndicated conservative talk shows during the day and sports talk overnight. Most hours began with an update from Fox News Radio. The station was also a partial affiliate of Fox Sports Radio.[3]

Programming

Weekdays on WFNT began with the Steve Gruber Show, a statewide conservative talk show originating from sister station WJIM in Lansing, Michigan.[4] Talk shows of local interest were heard late mornings on WFNT, including subject matter such as guns, history, and shopping. Some of these programs were brokered programming.

The rest of the weekday schedule was nationally syndicated shows from Brian Kilmeade, Dennis Prager, Sean Hannity, and Brandon Tatum. Fox Sports Radio was heard overnights and Michigan Talk Network programming was heard on weekends. Repeats of weekday programs could be heard Saturdays, while Handel on The Law was heard on Sundays.

History

WCLC, WWOK, WKMF

The station first signed on the air in 1947; 77 years ago (1947). It broadcast at 1,000 watts day and night. Its call sign was WCLC but the next year became WWOK. It was owned by Drohlich Broadcasting, headed by Robert Drohlich, the general manager and Robert Drohlich, the program director.[5] The studios were at 432 North Saginaw Street in Flint.

It became WKMF in 1953, owned by a radio company based in Tulsa, Oklahoma.[6] WKMF was a country music station during most of the years using that call sign. Its slogan during the country years was "The country music capital of the north." WKMF's country format enjoyed a high level of ratings success during the 1960s and 1970s, often ranking among Flint's top five stations.

WFNT

It adopted its present call letters WFNT in 1993.[7] In the 1990s, most country music listening was switching to the FM dial, so management decided to make a change.

While owned by Faircom Broadcasting, WFNT became a talk station. Its syndicated program line-up included G. Gordon Liddy (who came to Flint and did his show live twice from the WFNT studios), Rush Limbaugh and Ken Hamblin. Local talk shows were hosted by Chris Pavelich and later Tommy McIntyre and his producer Howard "The Knife" Gillespie. Eventually, Regent Broadcasting (now Townsquare Media) acquired the station, as well as WCRZ and WWBN in Flint.

Standards and Talk

In the early 2000s, WFNT switched to adult standards, using ABC Radio's "Stardust" (later "Timeless Classics" and "Timeless Favorites"). It also aired some local programming, including a daily shopping show and a Saturday-afternoon oldies program. Beginning in 2007, WFNT became the flagship station for the now-defunct Flint Generals minor league hockey radio broadcasts.

When Citadel Media ended the "Timeless" format in February 2010, WFNT flipped back to talk programming on February 12.[8][9] It added syndicated shows from Premiere Networks, the Salem Radio Network and Fox Sports Radio. It briefly carried the comedy morning show "Bob and Tom" from Indianapolis.

On December 31, 2023, WFNT suspended operations due to economic conditions.[10]

References

  1. [1]
    "Facility Technical Data for WFNT". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. [2]
    "WFNT-AM 1470 kHz - Flint, MI". radio-locator.com.
  3. [3]
    "1470 WFNT". 1470 WFNT.
  4. [4]
    "Steve Gruber". 1240 WJIM.
  5. [5]
    Broadcasting Yearbook 1948 page 148, Broadcasting & Cable
  6. [6]
    Broadcasting Yearbook 1954 page 180, Broadcasting & Cable
  7. [7]
    "WFNT AM 1470 Flint". Michiguide.com. May 2, 2011. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
  8. [8]
    "Big changes at syndicator Citadel Media: "Timeless" to expire, hirings and layoffs". Radio-Info.com. November 12, 2009.
  9. [9]
    "Flint's WFNT (1470) drops the music to go talk with Bob & Tom". Radio-Info.com. February 12, 2010.
  10. [10]
    Townsquare Turns Off New York Trio; Flint & Trenton Ams Radioisnight - January 9, 2024
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