As we first reported in our 1/29 Domain Insight, Leighton Broadcasting is preparing to launch a new format on 103.3 K277BS St. Cloud MN.
The plan is to bring Active Rock “Z-Rock” from 98.9 KZPK-HD3 to K277BS on Monday, March 5. That is unless Tri-County Broadcasting’s “Rockin 101” WHMH-FM and Townsquare Media Classic Rock “103.7 The Loon” KLZZ pay them a $1 million dollar ransom. The station is running a social media campaign to draw attention to the March 5 launch and their attempt to get their competitors to halt it.
K277BS is currently rebroadcasting News/Talk 1450 KNSI St. Cloud, which is in the process of sliding its audience to its new translator at 99.3 K257GK.
INSTANT INSIGHT: Straight out of The Power Pig playbook. Leighton Broadcasting – St. Cloud Operations Manager JJ Holiday told me that WHMH-FM has already discussed the ransom bit on-air and drawn some attention to their new competitor. Will the 250 watt translator be able to take down a 40kW C2? Most likely not, but nobody in 1989 thought that WFLZ would topple the mighty “Q105” WRBQ.
Test comments
Cumulus still holds an active trademark for the Z-Rock name, so it’s only a matter of time until they throw up a C&D against Leighton Broadcasting.