Disclaimer: In a past life, I previously worked for Costa Eagle Broadcasting in a variety of positions, both on air and off air. With that said…
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Methuen, Mass. – March 16, 2009 – Costa Eagle Broadcasting, the premier broadcasting group in Greater Boston and the Merrimack Valley today announced the launch of the first Hispanic Radio Station on FM “POWER 92.1FM”, serving the Spanish-language radio listeners of Massachusetts.
POWER 92.1FM, also under the call letters “WNNW”, will be simulcast on two separate radio channels, 92.1FM and 800AM, covering the entire Boston Metro and communities with a strong ethnic culture presence including Lawrence, Peabody, Lowell, Jamaica Plains, Chelsea, and Revere. Advertisers will be able to promote products, services and events on both AM and FM for an optimum reach in key markets of Massachusetts.
The station will target a vast audience of Spanish-language radio listeners with a mix of Merengue, Salsa, Bachata, Pop-Latino, Top 40 Billboard, Regional, and Reggaetón music genres that are not currently available on FM radio.
Beyond the mix of music genres, POWER 92.1FM will continue with popular shows as “El Calentón de la Mañana”. The stellar combination of Santiago Matias, Richie Herrera, and Awilda Reyes is sure to entertain morning listeners with the latest in entertainment, gossip and celebrities including on-air artist interviews. The innovative programming will capture listeners of all ages with such shows as “Señora Música” with Johnny Mackenzie; “El Jangueo” with DJ Franklyn; “Power Éxitos” with Isabel “La Chiquitita” Gonzelez; “Power Éxitos Music” with Johnny Palacios; and TRL Latino / MTV’s Top 20 with Suzie Castillo. Power 92.1FM will be the station to tune in to for the latest in the entertainment world.
“It takes the family to make it happen. The family at POWER consists of employees, clients, and listeners – those are the ones who deserve all the credit. POWER is the most listened to Hispanic Radio Station in Massachusetts.” said Patrick Costa, General Manager of Costa Eagle Broadcasting.
“As I was driving on I93 South and tuned in on the station during the testing phase, I realized that listening to the station on FM filled a void for me. 92.1FM is the missing link to the world of Latin music in Massachusetts” said Rafael Morales.
ABOUT COSTA EAGLE BROADCASTING
Costa Eagle Broadcasting was formed in 1996 as a partnership, the general partner being Costa Communications Corporation of New partnership was formed to promote Hispanic Broadcasting throughout the New England. With its headquarters in Methuen, Massachusetts and its station cluster presently consisting of four stations WNNW simulcast on 800 AM and 92.1FM in Lawrence, MA , WCCM 1110 AM in Salem, NH and WCEC 1490 AM Haverhill, MA. Costa Eagle Broadcasting is committed to quality LOCAL radio and is proud to be the Hispanic Broadcast leader in Massachusetts.
I really wish Pat Costa the best of luck with bringing his Hispanic AM station to the FM dial. The statistics indicating the Hispanic population in Greater Boston are around 11%. However, I think the numbers are higher, maybe closer to 20% (or more) of the population in the Boston are of Latino heritage. It’s high time a Latino FM’er hits the airwaves in Boston. However, here’s my frustration – not with Pat or his company – but with the FCC.
Costa Eagle Broadcasting purchased the 92.1 FM repeater from AIRPORT INVESTORS L.P. which had it licensed to Newton, NH. Following the rules, Costa Eagle then moved the “stick” to Haverhill, MA and “repeated” WXRV FM 92.5, with full intention of moving it to Andover, where it is co-located with the Power 800 transmitter. All of this is above board and legit. It’s a 150 watt repeater which, in early testing at half power, was heard as far away Stoneham. Once the station is up and running at full power, there’s speculation that the station will be able to be heard in Boston, and beyond.
My question: If the Federal Communications Commission allows repeaters to be had, if they allow them to be moved legally (which is what Costa/Eagle did), why can’t the FCC work their magic and allow more low power FM stations (LPFM) at lets say 50 watts to allow for community radio? If someone out there can give me a viable answer to that – please do.
