Just under two hours ago, venerable alternative radio flagship station WHFS, 99.1 on your FM dial, was taken off the air and replaced by “El Sol” which will play “a mixture of Salsa, Merengue and Bachata, targeting adults 25-54.” Ack! The move took many area radio listeners by surprise. Billboard Radio Monitor called the format change “a shocking move.”

“We have made clear our desire to expand into this burgeoning market and believe this move marks an important step in our commitment to Spanish radio,” Infinity president/CEO Joel Hollander said in statement. “There exists a tremendous opportunity for Infinity to launch a Spanish-language format in Washington, D.C. where almost 10% of the population is not being directly served. El Zol will be the most powerful Spanish radio station in the area and will provide listeners with the music, entertainment and information relevant to the many segments of the Latino culture.”

Color DCist shocked. Yes, the station played too much Good Charlotte (even playing an influential role in breaking the band nationally), other mall-ternative punk bands and mid 90’s grunge, but they peppered that with the occasional tune by Franz Ferdinand, The Killers and their indie rock peers. Savvy DCist readers have pointed out We have, at this moment, no alternative station, no college rock station, no AAA station, no indie station, nothing, nada. True indeed, but we’ll always have our iPods.

Worst of all? No more HFStival!