WNPL-FM Nashville Changes From Urban To Sports

[EvanJ]

www.radioandrecords.com/NewsRoom/2004_12_23/cumulustakes.asp

Thursday, Dec. 23, 2004
Cumulus Takes WNPL/Nashville Sports Talk As 'The Fan'

Cumulus Media gave the Music City its second FM Sports Talker today as WNPL sheds its nearly three-year-old CHR/Rhythmic "Blazin' 106.7" presentation to become "The Fan, Nashville's only 24/7 FM Sports Radio station." The move pits WNPL directly against Citadel's crosstown FM Sports Talker, WGFX, which moved to the format from Classic Hits in August 2003. WNPL will also compete against Southern Wabash Communications' WNSR (ESPN 560). Sporting News Radio programming is presently airing on WNPL, and the station is simulcasting WWTN-FM/Nashville's Sports Night program. Calls to Cumulus/Nashville executives were not returned by R&R's holiday deadline. However, it is believed that WWTN will make programming changes that is expected to involve the shift of Sports Night to WNPL, as this is WWTN's only Sports-oriented show.

From me: The article calls WNPL CHR-Rhythmic but it's on the Urban panel.

[reception]

www.1067thefan.com (Mon 3/14/05) 100000watts mentioned the new call letters are WNFN.

[EvanJ]

www.radioandrecords.com/Newsroom/2005_03_24/nashvillesports.asp

Thursday, March 24, 2005
Nashville Sports AM Sues ABC, ESPN, Cumulus

Sports WNSR-AM/Nashville is suing ABC Radio Networks, ESPN Radio and Cumulus Media, as well as holding companies and two members of the Dickey family individually, alleging that the defendants planned for more than a year to move the ESPN Radio Network from WNSR to two Cumulus-owned and operated stations (WNFN-FM & WWTN-FM) in the market. ABC/ESPN is accused of breaching its contract with WNSR. Anti-trust and Tennessee Consumer Protection Act violations also alleged.

WNSR VP/GM Ted Johnson said in a statement, "WNSR Sports Radio 560 is a locally owned, independent station without the gigantic resources of ABC/ESPN or Cumulus. We were severely damaged by the actions of these two media giants. Our losses could be in the millions of dollars. After several attempts to resolve the problem with ESPN, we felt compelled to take a stand not only for ourselves, but other independent stations."