- published: 21 Aug 2015
- views: 852
WFNZ (610 AM), also known as "610 AM The Fan", is a Sports Talk format radio station in Charlotte, North Carolina. Owned by Beasley Broadcast Group, the studios are located on South Boulevard in Charlotte's South End, while its transmitter is located at the site of its former studios on Radio Road in the Oakdale neighborhood of northwest Charlotte.
WFNZ is broadcast in HD on sister stations WPEG-HD3, WBAV-FM-HD3 and WSOC-FM-HD3. WFNZ is licensed by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to broadcast in HD.
WFNZ signed on in 1941 as WAYS (AM), airing a full-service format. By the 1960s, WAYS was Charlotte's lowest-rated station. The station's studios were in such bad shape, cats were needed to control the rodents. Stan and Sis Kaplan of Boston bought WAYS in 1965 for $550,000. Beginning in June of that year, "Big WAYS" aired an energetic Top 40 format which was considered "an alien sound in the Carolinas", knocking conservative WBT out of first place and eventually becoming the highest-rated Top 40 station in the country and the 15th most popular station overall. One reason was the Treasure Hunt, where people had to listen to clues from "Mr. Treasure" (Jack Gale) telling them how to find a $1,000 coupon. News director C. Michael Blackwell would interview winners. Personalities included John Kilgo, Jack Pride, Tom Kinard, Jack Armstrong, Pete Ray of "The Pete Ray-D-O Show", Dick Blanchard, and Long John Silver. WAYS jocks who went on to greater fame included Morton Downey Jr., actor Jay Thomas, and Robert Murphy (who had success in Chicago). Eventually, the morning show was simulcast on both WAYS and sister FM WROQ. Larry Sprinkle, now a WCNC-TV morning weather personality, also worked at the stations. They were known for lampooning The PTL Club with Bill Taker of the Pass the Loot Club.
See highlights from our WFNZ Pro Football Draft Round Table discussion including ESPN's Kevin Wiedl, Former NFL Great Clinton Portis, and our on-air WFNZ jocks! Thanks to Ruth's Chris Steak House South Park in Charlotte, NC, for having us! Plus, see our Carolina Panthers picks for the #1 Round in the NFL Draft
Sports Radio WFNZ 610 AM & 1660 AM The Franchise! Charlotte, NC www.wfnz.com 5.28.09
On this week's episode of QCB Unleashed, Q talks about how our all-new, free WFNZ app does it all at the convenience of your mobile use. First, download the WFNZ app in your mobile device. Then, scroll down and choose the sports stories you want to read or listen to specific interviews we've had on the shows. You can even stream us throughout the day! Be sure to sign up for contests & play some games while you're on it. Also, be sure to use the 'Talk Back' feature when complaining about ANYTHING on "The Whiner Line" feature of our WFNZ app.
Located at the corner of Mint and Morehead in the shadow of Bank of America Stadium, the WFNZ Coca-Cola Doghouse is the home of the greatest tailgate party in Charlotte before each home game! We roll up the doors 2 hours before kickoff, providing restaurant choices, a fully-staffed bar, indoor seating, live music on an outdoor stage, activities, a live WFNZ broadcast and loads of flat-screen TVs with sports programming, all in the path of the stadium. It’s a meeting place for football fans as they get ready for the day’s game – and a party place for fans who come to the WFNZ Coca-Cola Doghouse without game tickets simply to enjoy the sports bar atmosphere with their favorite radio station.
Sports Radio WFNZ 610 AM & 1660 AM The Franchise! Charlotte, NC www.wfnz.com 4/14/09
Chris Kroeger excited about the future of the Charlotte Hornets.
www.wfnz.com
Don't listen to the radio
Hear something that ya ready know
I got no radio
Don't speak upon the telephone
Hear somethin' that you're never shown
I got no telephone
Get out the way today
(Oh yeah I say)
Get out the way today
(Oh yeah I say)
Don't listen to the TV show
Feel someone that you ready know
I got no T.V.O
Get out the way today
(Oh yeah I say)
Get out the way today