The FCC has begun to clear its large backlog of pending translator applications in order to ensure some frequencies remain available for LPFM’s in their respective markets. Over 2000 translators applications were wiped out en masse. Among the markets where the translator applications will still be processed are Charlotte, Sacramento, San Antonio, Orlando, Raleigh/Durham, Nashville, Greensboro/Winston-Salem, Oklahoma City, and Memphis. This has no bearing on any existing translator on-air or with a construction permit in these given markets, but could result in a slow down of new move-ins. See the list of markets here.
Elsewhere there was a ton of movement in the past 10 days, especially in the growing relationship between Clear Channel and EMF Broadcasting.
A number of EMF owned translators look to be transferring their programming to Clear Channel. The most recent are today’s launch of Urban “Wild 103.9” W280DO Lexington, KY on what was rebroadcasting EMF’s “K-Love” 95.3 WVRB and in Baton Rouge where 97.7 K249DV Baker, LA has become “Oldies 97.7” simulcasting 101.5 WYNK-HD2.
That relationship has gotten very cozy in Minneapolis. Following applications to move two EMF translators to the IDS Center to rebroadcast KTCZ-HD2 and KDWB-HD2, EMF is now applying to move 97.7 K249ED Albertville and 99.9 K260BA Coon Rapids to the IDS Center where both will rebroadcast an HD subchannel of 100.3 KTLK-FM. Northpine.com explains that these applications were filed by EMF’s engineers as opposed to Clear Channel which prepared the previous two.
The Clear Channel/EMF co-operation extends to Norfolk, VA. 93.3 W227BR Portsmouth, VA will upgrade from 19 watts to 250 watts where it will rebroadcast the currently non-existent WKSA-HD3 according to VARTV.com.
Elsewhere in the Tidewater, Liberty University is selling 99.3 W257BV and 101.7 W269BQ Virginia Beach to Hampton Roads Educational Telecommunications Association for $70,000.
CBS and Hope Christian Church of Marlton, NJ are working on similar upgrades in Baltimore. There’s already a CP to upgrade 97.5 W248AO Baltimore from 8 watts to 250 where it will rebroadcast 106.5 WWMX-HD2. Now three more translators will make similar moves. 106.1 W291BA Baltimore will jump from 45 watts to 235 watts, 104.9 W285EJ from 10 watts to 250, and 98.3 W252BR Edgemere from 5 watts to 250. All three translators will rebroadcast 101.9 WLIF-HD2, which currently does not exist.
Hope Christian Church and Cumulus are making the same moves in Central Pennsylvania. 96.5 W243BR York, PA will move into Harrisburg with an upgrade from 10 watts to 250 where it will simulcast 93.5 WTPA-HD2. 99.9 W256AV Ephrata, PA midway between Reading and Lancaster will get a slight boost from 10 watts to 18 watts to rebroadcast 96.1 WSOX-HD2.
Cumulus has found a way to boost the signal of Modern Rock “99X” W256BO Atlanta. The translator will slide from 99.1 to 98.9, while upgrading from 99 watts to 250.
Cox Media Group has added an FM simulcast for News/Talk 580 WDBO Orlando via 102.5 W274AX Groveland, FL. The translator is rebroadcasting WDBO’s format to the west side of the Orlando market via 96.5 WHTQ-HD2. Cox has an additional CP to rebroadcast WDBO on 95.9 W239BS Mount Dora, FL.
Calvary Chapel of Twin Falls has sold 106.7 K294AE Boise, ID to First Western Broadcasting who will simulcast 950 KNJY Boise. The translator has been granted a CP to upgrade from 28 watts to 99 watts.
