Salem Media has completed its move of Conservative Talk “AM 1260 The Answer” WWRC Washington DC to 570 WSPZ Bethesda MD as the the work on its tower to allow 630 WMAL Washington to move onto its tower has completed.
1260 is currently running a loop redirecting listeners to 570.
Original Report 9/21: Salem Media is preparing to rearrange its Washington DC assets.
As Edward Atsinger and Stu Epperson’s AM 570 LLC has closed on its $2.1 million acquisition of “SportsTalk 570” WSPZ Bethesda MD from Red Zebra Broadcasting, the assets will now be split between two Salem Media subsidiaries. Salem will reimburse Atsinger and Epperson the $2.1 million as the station license goes to Salem Media of Virginia for $600,000 while the property assets goes to Salem Radio Properties for $1,500,000. Salem Chairman Epperson and CEO Atsinger will also be reimbursed $20,000 in acquisition costs related to the purchase of WSPZ.
Salem has begun simulcasting Conservative Talk “AM 1260 The Answer” WWRC Washington on 570 and is promoting the frequency as the future home of the format. However, that move must first wait due to engineering moves at its primary competitor. As Cumulus Conservative Talk 630 WMAL Washington completes its transmitter move to WSPZ’s tower, the station has filed an STA to operate at 25% of its licensed 5kW day/1kW night power to allow the construction of WMAL’s facilities.
Upon the move of WWRC’s programming to 570, we are expecting Salem to launch its Wellness Radio programming that currently airs in Minneapolis and St. Louis.