Update 4/20: Martz has launched the programming on its two Detroit translators exactly as we reported last month.
94.3 W232CA (The former W230BI) debuts as Modern Rock “94.3 The Bone” with programming originating at 107.5 WGPR-HD3. The new format is promising to be nothing but music without the Canadian content required by “89X” 88.7 CIMX. The station’s website includes a harsh attack on the Canadian content and the fact that the station is owned by the phone company. That being BellMedia, the former CTVglobemedia recently acquired by Bell Canada. The station is also taking potshots at Greater Media’s Rock 101.1 WRIF in sweepers.
W284BQ returns Smooth Jazz to Detroit as “104.7 The Oasis” with the programming delivered by Broadcast Architecture’s Smooth Jazz Network. This returns the format to Detroit for the first time since CBS flipped “V98.7” WVMV to CHR “Amp Radio 98.7” in October 2009.
Original Report 3/25: Martz Communications Group via its Radio Power Inc. subsidiary is preparing to launch two new stations via translator in Detroit. 94.3 W230BI and 104.7 W284BQ are both currently testing with simulcasts of Classical/Jazz 90.9 WRCJ, but will soon flip to commercial formats.
At 94.3, Martz has registered a pair of domains hinting at its future format: 943TheBone.com and 89XSucks.com seem to indicate a younger skewing Rock format targetting CTVglobemedia’s Modern Rock 88.7 CIMX Windsor, ON. W230BI will operate with 99 watts vertically from 911 feet.
Martz has recently filed for an STA to take 104.7 silent, but it has once again begun testing. In June 2010, 1047TheOasis.com was registered for use with this translator, however it is quite possible plans have changed since.
It has not been identified which AM or FM-HD subchannel will be used to feed programming to these translators.
Martz currently operates a trio of stations on the New York/Quebec border targeting Montreal and the soon to launch Urban in Pittsburgh. They also have translators attempting to move into the Fort Worth, Kansas City, Memphis, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis markets.
The 104.7 translator interferes with WIOT’s protected coverage area, so I see complaints coming.