As if Donald Trump’s victory weren’t enough for local progressives, insult was added to injury today when radio station 92.1 FM The Mic changed format from liberal news and opinion to...Christmas music.
The station’s website names the new format “BEST FM” and “Madison’s Home for the Holidays.”
Tim Scott, senior vice president of Madison programming for iHeartMedia, which owns the station, did not immediately return a phone message.
In a press release Keith Bratel, iHeartMedia Madison market president, stated, “We’re excited to spread cheer throughout the community with popular holiday music on WXXM. Madison’s Home for the Holidays 92.1 BEST FM is a great way for our listeners to get into the holiday spirit!” It’s unknown what the station will broadcast after the holidays.
“Losing 92.1 is a big setback for the progressive community in Wisconsin,” says Matt Rothschild, executive director of the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, formerly senior editor of The Progressive magazine. Rothschild has also been a frequent guest on the station’s morning Mitch Henck Show.
A longtime Madison broadcaster, Henck says his show will continue online. “My show continues at the same time 8 to 11 live at mitchhenck.com.” He directs all further inquiries to iHeartMedia, which owns 92.1. Its call sign is WXXM-FM.
In Madison iHeartMedia also owns WIBA-AM and FM, WTSO-AM, WMAD-FM and WZEE-FM (Z-104).
The Mic aired programming from progressive national commentators including Alan Colmes, Thom Hartmann, Stephanie Miller and Bill Press.
A format change had been expected by some after the station canceled its contract with the popular Devil’s Advocate Radio last month (though the show’s producers had just inked a national syndication deal).
And on Nov. 3, Colmes’ evening program was interrupted by coverage of Milwaukee Bucks basketball, and preempted on Nov. 4 by NASCAR. It’s unknown if sports will continue on WXXM-FM.
Listeners and advertisers previously fought off change to a sports format, in 2006.
“We don’t need more Christmas music or another oldies station,” says Rothschild. “We do need intelligent political talk, especially at this moment, when our democracy is hanging by a thread.”
