The Opie and Anthony Show Army - History of The O&A Army

History of The O&A Army

While O&A had a strong fanbase during their early days on WAAF in Boston, there is little, if any, knowledge of such avid activities until O&A's arrival to 102.7 WNEW-FM in New York in 1998.

To counter critics and other radio jocks, O&A turned to their more enthusiastic fans, nicknaming them "The O&A Army" (or "Pests"). The late 1990s saw the rise of the internet, allowing for good coordination of the Pests, who would often take over rival chat rooms and message boards, while disruptively calling in to rival radio shows. In the early days, they did not have any field leaders, taking their orders mainly from O&A, but would independently promote the show in a grassroots viral marketing effort, an approach they continue to use today.

It was not until O&A's 2004 debut on XM Satellite Radio that the O&A Army took their efforts to another level, assigning "Generals" to coordinate their efforts, and adopting tactics reminiscent of flash mobs.