WFNX (FM)

(Redirected from WXXZ)

WFNX (95.3 FM; "The Otter") was a commercial FM radio station licensed to Grand Marais, Minnesota, United States, and serving the North Shore region. The station aired an adult album alternative format. WFNX broadcast with an ERP of 63,000 watts.

WFNX
Broadcast areaNorth Shore (Lake Superior)
Frequency95.3 MHz
Branding95.3 The Otter
Programming
Language(s)English
FormatDefunct (was adult album alternative)
Ownership
OwnerShire & Shore Communications, LLC.
History
First air date
1998 (as WXXZ)
Last air date
January 23, 2024 (2024-01-23)
Former call signs
  • KANQ (1995-1996)
  • WXXZ (1996-2018)
  • WVVE (2018-2020)
Call sign meaning
The WFNX call sign once belonged to a modern Rock station in Boston from 1983 to 2012, now known as WBWL; the call sign was acquired by WVVE when 99.9 in Boston was acquired by the Educational Media Foundation and their call sign was changed from WFNX to WKMY
Technical information
Facility ID18531
ClassC1
ERP63,000 watts
HAAT209 meters (686 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
47°44′56″N 90°21′28″W / 47.74889°N 90.35778°W / 47.74889; -90.35778

History edit

As WXXZ, this station along with KAOD (106.7 FM) in Babbitt, formerly simulcast KQDS-FM from Duluth. In 2017, Midwest Communications sold W288AI (Ely), WXXZ, and KAOD to Aurora Broadcasting LLC.

In 2017, WXXZ and KAOD both changed their call signs. WXXZ changed its call sign to WVVE, and KOAD changed its call sign to KZJZ.

In May 2018, after stunting, WVVE and KZJZ launched an adult album alternative format branded as "Radio North Of Ordinary".

In June 2019, Shire & Shore Communications announced that it would sell WVVE to Zoe Communications, Inc,[1] however the transaction was never consummated.

On September 16, 2019, WVVE returned to air simulcasting WHRY, an oldies station in Hurley, Wisconsin.[2] Its call sign was changed to WFNX on June 15, 2020.

In March 2021, the radio station, now operating as 95.3 The Otter, re-committed to its AAA format as a local, independent broadcasting company serving the Minnesota North Shore.

WFNX returned its license to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on January 23, 2024.[3] The FCC cancelled it on January 25, 2024.

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