With WWCD Ltd. ending its LMA with ICS Communications, which operates as Delmar Media, to operate Alternative “CD 92.9” at the end of the month(see below), the owners of 1580 WWCD/92.9 W225BS Columbus and 1550 WQCD/92.9 W225CM Delaware OH are planning to operate their own version of the brand.
Delmar Media co-owner Brent Casagrande states:
On December 1, 2020, Delmar communications and WWCD LTD entered into an agreement to broadcast WWCD formerly on 102.5 on Delmar’s Radio frequencies 92.9 FM 1550AM and 1580. This agreement was for three year with an option to renew for another three-year term. The agreement also contained an option to purchase the radio frequencies during the six-year term.
Randy Malloy, president of WWCD Ltd has opted not to renew the agreement. At midnight February 1, 2024, WWCD in its current form will cease broadcasting on the Delmar frequencies. Delmar Media is happy to report it will continue the legacy of WWCD by debuting A new and refreshing version of The NEW WWCD at that time. The NEW WWCD will continue its support of local artist and some of the legacy programs that have made the station a favorite of central Ohio radio listeners. According to Brent Casagrande, president of Delmar media, We will be reinstating free online streaming and a full complement of online digital products through our website at www.cd929columbus.com and streaming through the TuneIN Application. We wish to thank Randy Malloy for his contributions to WWCD over the years and wish him well in his future endeavors.
He also told the Columbus Dispatch that the name may switch from “CD 92.9” to “Alternative 92.9“, “but otherwise the station will be familiar to listeners. He couldn’t have been there 33 years without an audience. It’s a format that Columbus wants, so were not going to get rid of the format.”
“CD 92.9” brand owner Randy Malloy followed with a statement of his own:
ICS Communications, Inc. and Delmar Media, Inc., the FCC licensees of WWCD-AM and WQCD-AM, asked us, WWCD, Ltd. dba CD 92.9, if we would transfer our music library and website to them. We advised them that we own the intellectual property and that if they wished to use it, they would need to purchase it. We pointed out that our agreement with them, which is public record, states: “All rights, title and interest in and to any of [CD 92.9]’s programming, including the right to authorize the use of [CD 92.9]’s programming in any manner and in any media, shall be and remain vested at all times solely in [CD 92.9].”
ICS and Delmar are violating this provision by attempting to portray themselves as a continuation of the brand that we spent 30+ years building.
As all of you are aware, Randy Malloy has been the face of the WWCD brand for more than 30 years. What you are reading about from ICS Communication, Delmar, or anyone acting on their behalf is not true they are not a continuation of CD 92.9. They are using our intellectual property without authorization, and we will be taking legal action to protect our brand.
Original Report: WWCD Ltd. Alternative “CD 92.9” 1580 WWCD/92.9 W225BS Columbus and 1550 WQCD/92.9 W225CM Delaware OH will move online-only on January 31.
Owner Randy Malloy states, “After extensive discussions, the FCC licensees (ICS Communications, Inc. and Delmar Communications, Inc.) and WWCD, Ltd. dba CD 92.9 were unable to finalize an agreement that would have allowed us to continue broadcasting on the FM dial. While it pains me to once again announce our departure from the airwaves, the WWCD radio brand, along with CD 92.9 merchandise, will remain available on our website, www.cd929fm.com.” Malloy added that they tried their best to be able to remain on the airwaves, but were unable to do so.
The current dual AM/translator duo were the third home in the station’s 33 year history. The station launched on 101.1 in August 1990 by original owner Roger Vaughn’s Fun With Radio LLC. The company sold the 101.1 frequency to Ohio State University in 2010 and began leasing Southeastern Ohio Broadcasting’s 102.5 Baltimore OH. Malloy, who was previously General Manager, acquired the intellectual property in 2017 after a dispute between Southeastern Ohio Broadcasting and Fun With Radio nearly led the station to be leased to Salem Media Group and flipped to Conservative Talk. That lease would come to an end in October 2020 with the 102.5 signal becoming operated by Radio One as Regional Mexican “La Grande 102.5” WWLG. After announcing a move to an online-only distribution then, the station was able to come to an agreement a few weeks later with ICS Communications to lease the two AMs and translators.
Alternative rock radio station CD 92.9, a central Ohio legend and one of Ohio’s last independently operated radio stations, will be ending its radio broadcast as of January 31, 2024, announced Randy Malloy, President and owner of WWCD, Ltd. dba CD 92.9 owner. “After extensive discussions, the FCC licensees (ICS Communications, Inc. and Delmar Communications, Inc.) and WWCD, Ltd. dba CD 92.9 were unable to finalize an agreement that would have allowed us to continue broadcasting on the FM dial,” said Malloy. Malloy reported that CD 92.9 tried its best to be able to remain on the airwaves, but unfortunately, it was unable to do so. “While it pains me to once again announce our departure from the airwaves, the WWCD radio brand, along with CD 92.9 merchandise, will remain available on our website, http://www.cd929fm.com,” continued Malloy.
The WWCD brand (CD101, CD102.5, and CD 92.9) was established in 1990 in Columbus, Ohio, as an independently owned and operated, alternative rock radio station. Throughout its 33-year history, the station has remained committed to and has been a vital component of the Columbus community. The WWCD brand has been a strong partner of Columbus nonprofit organizations, providing arts, culture, and social-service organizations promotional support to reach key target audiences. The station’s nonprofit foundation, CD102.5 for the Kids, has donated more than $1 million to children’s charities over the past 33 years. The station’s intern program has helped hundreds of young adults learn essential skills and make invaluable contacts, helping land them careers both in and out of the music industry. All of these impacts stemmed from Malloy’s fervent belief that radio done right is about more than charts and ratings-it’s about community, and it’s about people.
