A New Chapter in WNLK History Now Begins

Few probably noticed last weekend when two AM radio stations in Norwalk and Stamford changed their programming. But what’s happening in our own backyard is part of a national trend: local commercial radio is dying.

WSTC (1400 AM) and WNLK (1350 AM) have been owned by Cox Media Group since 1999 along with FM sister stations WFOX (95.9 FM) and STAR 99.9 (WEZN). Cox is one of the better radio groups, long supporting local news and public affairs, but the dwindling local ratings doomed the format.

(Full disclosure: in the 1980’s I was a radio consultant and worked with the previous owners of WNLK to improve their programming, long before I ever moved to Fairfield County. I have also been interviewed many times on WSTC and WNLK in my capacity as Chairman of the CT Rail Commuter Council.)

In recent years, local news on these and other stations has dwindled as local reporters and anchors were replaced by network feeds. So too was most of the right-wing talk programming on WSTC/WNLK delivered by satellite. What local programming the stations did offer was brokered, i.e. the hosts bought the airtime and sold ads on their own shows.

In this economy and with so many other media sources to chose among, the AM stations’ days were numbered. But local talk maven Lisa Wexler is now seeking a new home, WSTC and WNLK have not “gone dark." Instead, they are now owned and operated by WSHU at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield. (John Labarca’s “Italian House Party” on Sunday evenings will, it was just announced, continue on the stations.)

WSHU (91.1 FM) already has a number of co-owned stations covering Connecticut and Long Island. Their FM’s simulcast the station’s classical music programming (among the last available on our local dials) while others, including their flagship AM (WSHU 1260 AM), carry NPR’s news and talk programming.  That’s also the plan for WSTC and WNLK.

WSHU says it plans to add up to seven new employees, including a news reporter, to beef up coverage of Fairfield County.  This has to come as good news in our communities so dominated by New York and Hartford stations, including .

Especially during the recent storms and power blackouts, local radio has proven itself invaluable for keeping in touch.  I have every expectation that WSHU will continue that tradition and keep all of us in lower Fairfield County better informed.

If a for-profit commercial station couldn’t make it in this market, perhaps a listener-sponsored public station can.

Editor's note: This article, part of David Cameron's column, "Cameron's Corner,"  originally was published by Darien Patch.