iHeartMedia and Educational Media Foundation are trading the licenses for thirteen translators as part of a broader HD Channel and Translator Broadcasting Agreement between the two companies.

EMF will acquire the following translators:

• 106.9 W295AZ Jacksonville Beach FL (currently Spanish CHR “Rumba 106.9“) fed via WQIK-HD2 Jacksonville.
• 93.5 K228BR Tulsa OK (currently Classic Rock “93.5 The Jet“) fed via KTGX-HD2 Owasso.
• 97.5 W248AW Indianapolis IN (currently running a redirect loop) fed via WOLT-HD3 Indianapolis.
• 100.9 W265CV Madison WI (currently simulcasting Sports “Big 1070” WIBA) fed via WIBA-HD2 Sauk City.
• 98.3 W252CM Nashville TN (currently simulcasting News/Talk 1510 WLAC) fed via WSIX-HD2 Nashville.
• 92.3 W222BY Laureldale PA (currently Spanish Tropical “Rumba 92.3“) fed via 1340 WRAW Reading.
• 96.7 K244FE Calhoun Beach/Minneapolis MN (currently Sports “KFAN Plus“) fed via KQQL-HD3 Anoka

Going to iHeart in the deal are six translators currently leased to the company from EMF:

• 102.3 W272BY Cincinnati OH (currently Urban “102.3 The Beat“) fed via WEBN-HD3 Cincinnati.
• 106.1 W291BV Solon/Cleveland OH (currently Urban “Real 106.1“) fed via WAKS-HD2 Akron.
• 103.9 W280DO Lexington KY (Currently Urban “Real 103.9“) fed via WLKT-HD2 Lexington-Fayette.
• 102.5 K273BH Fridley/Minneapolis MN (Currently Urban “Hot 102.5” K273BH) fed via KTCZ-HD2 Minneapolis.
• 94.9 W235BH Perrysburg OH (Currently Urban “94.9 The Beat“) fed via WVKS-HD2 Toledo
• 95.1 K236B Waco TX (Currently Urban “Z95.1“) fed via KBGO-HD2 Waco

INSTANT INSIGHT

As the new HD Channel and Translator Broadcasting Agreement between the companies is redacted, the full reason behind the swap is unclear. The fact that iHeart is receiving the six translators from EMF that carries Hip-Hop programming could be inferred as EMF management being uncomfortable with that format being on their licensed properties. As all of the translators are currently operated by iHeart it is also unknown from the publicly available sale documents whether that will change after the deal. Madison and Reading are markets where EMF does not currently operate either of its primary networks while the rest could offer signal upgrades to the coverage of “Air 1” in those markets.