Bold headline: A major station sale triggers a format shift and leadership change at WMEX in Quincy/Boston.
A deal has been struck that will transfer WMEX and its translator 101.1 W266DQ in Weymouth, MA from Tony LaGreca and Larry Justice’s L&J Radio to Tyler Nye’s Local Media Boston for a nominal price of $1, with the assumption of all existing debt. As part of the arrangement, LaGreca will retain a 45% ownership stake in the new company, acting as a silent partner.
An immediate local market agreement (LMA) has been put in place, and WMEX has shifted its music format from the 1960s/1970s Oldies rotation to a 1970s/1980s–based Classic Hits lineup. A more noticeable change is the removal of former co-owner Larry Justice from his midday on-air slot. Justice, who recently addressed his status on social media, noted he has been facing professional challenges and hopes to resolve them soon so he can return to the air. Justice, now 86 years old, made his name in the Boston market during the 1960s on WMEX, then hosted afternoons at 1030 WBZ in the 1970s before expanding into station ownership and real estate.
This development underscores how ownership transitions can reshape a station’s sound and talent lineup, potentially affecting listener habits and advertiser partnerships. For fans and industry watchers, it raises questions about how quickly new owners can implement changes and how on-air talent adjusts to new leadership. Do you think switching to a later-era Classic Hits format will attract a broader audience in the Boston market, or will longtime WMEX listeners feel priced out? Share your thoughts in the comments.
