In addition to the on-air programming, the station puts on a series of concerts throughout the year (such as the WFNX Prom Party, Ultimate Irish Breakfast, the Best Music Poll concert, and Disorientation), offers free shows and promotions through the FNX Card, maintains one of the best Internet streams in the industry, and works diligently to keep the Web site updated and relevant.
Snow does most of the Web design for wfnx.com and considers the Web site hugely important in the evolution of the station. "We put up five to 10 blogs a day," he says. "We update every day. Every show on our station, if they talk about something on the air, it's immediately on the Web. If you hear a new band, it's on the Web the next day."
The next step for the medium is Internet radio, where everyone in America will be able to get every radio station in the country within 10 years. A healthy, buffer-free Internet stream and thriving Web site is part of the preparation for this eventuality, but the station has no intention of modifying the content.
"I think we're always changing," says Kramer. "We're streaming online now, we've got blogs, but I don't think the core mission will change: playing new music, being aware, being local."
Beyond the technological advancements, the people at WFNX know that their staying power comes not from martyring good taste in the name of ratings, but maintaining the personality, commitment to new music, and local flavor that has endured with them for 25 years. Asked about their goals for the future, not one WFNX DJ says anything about ratings or advertising revenue or a desire to be syndicated in Macau.
"Hopefully," says Santoro, "at the end of the day, you can look back and say, 'We entertained a lot of people today.'"
