Connecticut has its first FM all-sports radio station, ending weeks of speculation over what format would fill Clear Channel's newly acquired frequency in Hartford.
"97.9 ESPN" officially launched late last week, completing a series of licensing changes and format switches that began last year.
The station carries ESPN radio's complete programming line up - the same format that's carried on WPOP 1410, an AM station with far less coverage area than the new FM.
"Connecticut is the center of the sports world with ESPN headquartered here in Bristol," said Stephen Honeycomb, vice president and market manager of Clear Channel radio's Hartford and New Haven operations.
"For the first time, our listeners now have a full time FM sports station that is as passionate about sports as they are," he said.
Mike Wheeler, Clear Channel's operations director, said the new station is an exciting addition to Connecticut radio. "It brings the enormous talent of ESPN, an enthusiasm for all things sports and a home for fans of every game," he said.
For now, 97.9 will carry syndicated "Mike & Mike," "The Herd" with Colin Cowherd and "The Scott Van Pelt Show."
There is speculation that local sports talk will eventually be added to the afternoon drive segment.
The new station transmits from downtown Hartford at a maximum of 3.4 kW, but is licensed to Windsor Locks, according to Radio Insight, a broadcast industry website.
In an effort to play its cards close to the vest, Clear Channel registered seven different domain names for possible use on the station, some containing the words "Magic," "Mix", "Star," and "Smooth," in addition to "ESPN."
The 97.9 frequency used to be home to Kix Country WPKX, which was located in Springfield, Mass.
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