WBZ-FM

WBZ-FM (98.5 FM) is a commercial sports radio station licensed to Boston, Massachusetts, serving Greater Boston and much of surrounding New England. Owned by the Beasley Broadcast Group, WBZ-FM is the Boston affiliate for Fox Sports Radio. It is also the flagship station for the New England Patriots, Boston Bruins, Boston Celtics, and New England Revolution radio networks. Listeners can enjoy shows hosted by Fred Toettcher, Scott Zolak, Mike Felger, Tony Massarotti, and Bob Socci.

The station’s studios are located in Waltham, with the transmitter in the Boston suburb of Newton. In addition to regular analog transmission, WBZ-FM also broadcasts over two HD Radio channels and is available online for listeners everywhere.

Even though it shares the same call sign, WBZ-FM has no connection to WBZ-TV or WBZ (AM). The trademark for "WBZ" is owned by Paramount Skydance through CBS Mass Media Corp., which has licensed the call letters to Beasley under a long-term agreement. This arrangement began after CBS Corporation sold CBS Radio, the former owner of WBZ-FM, to Audacy.

History

WNAC-FM (1948–1957)

The station began in October 1948 as WNAC-FM, owned by the Yankee Network division of General Tire and Rubber. It shared its tower with another station in Medford and used equipment from an older station in Maine. At first, it played the same shows as its AM partner, WNAC.

WRKO-FM (1957–1968)

In May 1957, the station changed its name to WRKO-FM. For a while, it played the same shows as WNAC, but later started its own shows. In 1966, it switched to playing popular songs of the time, becoming very popular in Boston.

WROR (1968–1991)

In 1968, the station changed its name again to WROR and began playing a mix of older and newer songs. Over the years, it focused more on older music, becoming known for its classic hits.

WBMX (1991–2009)

In February 1991, the station became "Mix 98.5," playing a mix of older and newer popular songs. It later shifted to include more modern rock music.

WBZ-FM (2009–present)

On July 14, 2009, the station changed to a sports radio format, called "98.5 The Sports Hub." It became the home for Boston Bruins and New England Patriots games. The station has since become very popular in the Boston area for sports coverage.

Current programming

The weekday schedule on WBZ-FM includes local hosts like Fred "Toucher" Toettcher and Rob "Hardy" Poole for the morning show, Toucher & Hardy; Scott Zolak and Marc Bertrand for midday, Zolak & Bertrand; and Mike Felger and Tony Massarotti for afternoons with Felger & Massarotti. Joe Murray hosts evenings, with other local hosts on weekends.

Fox Sports Radio shows air overnight, on weekends, and holidays. WBZ-FM is the main station for Boston and New England’s top sports teams: the New England Patriots, Boston Bruins, Boston Celtics, and New England Revolution.

Play-by-play

WBZ-FM is the main station for Boston and New England’s top sports teams. It has been the home for the New England Patriots Radio Network since 2009, the Boston Bruins Radio Network since 2009, the Boston Celtics Radio Network since 2013, and the New England Revolution Radio Network since 2009.

• For Patriots Radio, Bob Socci and Scott Zolak announce the games. Marc Bertrand and Chris Gasper host before the game, Bertrand hosts at halftime, and he works with Jim Murray after the game.
• For Bruins Radio, Ryan Johnston announces the games with help from Bob Beers, a former Bruins player.
• For Celtics Radio, Sean Grande announces the games with Cedric Maxwell, a former Celtics player. Jon Wallach sometimes steps in to announce.
• For Revolution Radio, Brad Feldman and Charlie Davies announce the games.

Most of WBZ-FM’s game broadcasts are only on the FM radio. Listening online is only for the Boston area; elsewhere, fans need to use the league’s website or SiriusXM to hear the games.

Former staff

• Damon Amendolara
• Christian Arcand
• Gino Cappelletti
• Crash Clark
• Andy Gresh
• Dave Goucher
• Adam Jones
• Rich Keefe
• Paul Mariner
• Chuck Perks
• Gil Santos
• Rich Shertenlieb
• Judd Sirott
• Gary Tanguay