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New Hampshire Real Estate Developer Buys Longtime Nashua Radio Station

Posted on: Saturday, 2 July 2005, 00:00 CDT

Jul. 1--NASHUA -- In an effort to keep currently dormant WSMN-AM 1590 from being sold to a national company, local real estate developer Thomas Monahan has bought the city's longtime local news radio station.

Monahan, owner of Absolute Broadcasting LLC, said he is working with the Federal Communications Commission to transfer the radio station's license from WSMN Broadcasting LLC to Absolute Broadcasting. He announced the deal Thursday morning at a news conference at Martha's Exchange.

"There was an opportunity, and I was concerned this could get caught up into a national-type radio station if it were to come out of the darkness," Monahan said.

WSMN, which had operated under a business and financial news format, went off the air in January after the 12-acre lot at 502 W. Hollis St. was sold. Following the sale, the access to the station was stopped, said John Kosian, who had been the voice of WSMN. That station had been broadcasting to Nashua for more than 45 years before signing off.

The station will begin broadcasting again by Aug. 15, Monahan said.

In October 2004, Monahan purchased WSNH 900-AM and turned it into an ESPN affiliate focusing on local sports. The station, which bills itself as "ESPN 900," uses ESPN's 24-hour national format and covers local sports, as well as broadcasting Boston Red Sox games.

Monahan, who is active in the community and a sports fan, said he wants to do something similar with WSMN that he did with WSNH, but with community-oriented broadcasting.

In addition to talk shows, politics, a noon news show and other things, the station will also play music. Program details are still being worked out, but "it's certainly not going to be P. Diddy," Monahan joked.

Licensed for 5,000 watts, the station will reach down to Fitchburg, Mass., up to Concord and over to Portsmouth, Monahan said.

The $250,000 purchase price did not include the real estate or the antennas, just the equipment and airwaves, Monahan said.

"The antennas went with the real estate, so we have to relocate an antenna site, and we are presently in negotiations to relocate," Monahan said.

Meantime, there will be a temporary stage "where you almost hang an antenna out the window," Monahan said, adding that his goal is to locate the permanent, full-capacity antenna in Nashua.

WSMN and WSNH will be the only two radio stations located in Nashua.

WHOB 106.3-FM has moved its operations to Hooksett.

Monahan got involved with radio stations several years ago when Marty Tirrell, a 21-year sports radio veteran who had been hosting a sports talk radio show at WSMN, asked Monahan if he would underwrite a show called "Friday Night Lights." The show moved to WOTW and is syndicated to other stations in New Hampshire.

Monahan said he appreciated the show and its focus on the local area.

Tirrell, who is a talk-show host and sports marketing manger for ESPN 900, said that Monahan not only saved WSNH, but also took that station to another level.

"I would venture to say today that there's probably not a city the size of Nashua, of Nashua's reputation, that is not served by a local news and information station," Tirell said. "It's so exciting to think that on Aug. 15, that's going to change."

Initially, WSMN will simulcast programming from ESPN 900. In the fall, the format will change to news and information, including live, local drive-time call-in programs, local news and sporting events. It will include the "Bargain Box," an on-air swap shop where listeners can call in to buy and sell household items and other goods.

Streeter said he was thrilled, and that it's vital to have a station for news and information that the city can call its own.

"We're eager to do everything possible as a city to make sure it is a success," he said.

Frank Teas, a retired WSMN broadcaster, said WSMN has always been a community-minded station.

"What can I say after 45 years?" Teas said. "It's been an interesting trip when you've survived six general managers and four ownership changes. That in this marketplace is a remarkable thing.

"It's good to do the call letters WSMN -- on with the show!" Absolute Broadcasting, established in October 2004, is based out of Nashua and employs nine people.

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To see more of The Telegraph, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.nashuatelegraph.com

Copyright (c) 2005, The Telegraph, Nashua, N.H.

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DIS,

Source: The Telegraph

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