Clear Channel is on the verge of launching CHR “96.3 Kiss-FM” in New Orleans via translator.
96.5 K243AT Meraux, LA is awaiting FCC approval on its license to finalize its upgrade and move to 96.3 where it will operate with 250 watts via an HD subchannel of 93.3 WQUE. The translator has been silent since last August and has seen its application to resume broadcasting sit in FCC limbo since May 31.
No new domains have been registered for the station however KissNewOrleans.com has remained in Clear Channel’s portfolio since 104.1 KSTE flipped to Gospel in 2005. That station is now Rhythmic AC “Voodoo 104” KVDU. What will be the new site for K243AT can be seen at this link. The site has links to Elvis Duran and Ryan Seacrest, neither of whom currently have New Orleans clearances.
The purpose of KissFM on 96.3 will not be to beat Entercom’s “B97” WEZB but rather knock them down a bit.
RFLA 
I’m noticing an increased trend of translator stations being bought up to extent listener base. Is it cost effective to purchase these little 100 to 250 Watt stations? How much will this really change their bottom line? Thanks.
While limited to a maximum of 250 watts, with good antenna height some of these translators have signal coverage comparable to full powered class A’s that don’t count towards ownership caps. If you can engineer another viable signal in a market, some of these can be very beneficial to the bottom line.
Actually it’s been on the air for a few weeks now at first running a urban format before flipping to kiss 96.3 using actually WYLD 98.5s HD2 to feed it. But with both Duran and seacrest with no NOLA outlet, should be easy to clear. They are going with duran; as b-97 has normally used kidd kraddick on mornings. But thanks for the link as I am just outside translator range but can catch the hd station when I get access to a hd radio