The Clear Channel/EMF bulk translator move to the IDS Center in Minneapolis has hit a few hitches. The planned moves of 93.3 W227BF Shoreview, 97.7 K249ED Albertville, 99.9 K260BA Coon Rapids, and 102.5 K273BH Fridley have been hit with informal objections to move by a Jeff Sibert. The move of 97.7 is also being objected by United Audio Corp., the owner of 97.5 KNXR Rochester, MN. Northpine.com has more details on the move, including a part of history repeating itself. These petitions impacted Clear Channel’s frequency swap of 1130 KFAN and 100.3 KTLK earlier this month.
A similar Clear Channel/EMF move in Baton Rouge is being protested as well. EMF has applied to upgrade 97.7 K249DV Baker, LA from 13 watts to 250 watts where it will simulcast Clear Channel’s 101.5 WYNK-HD2. Guaranty Broadcasting, owners of five FM’s in Baton Rouge have filed an objection to prevent the upgrade.
Sales
Clear Channel has purchased 93.5 W228BY Allapattah, FL from Way-FM Media Group for $200,000. The station has concurrently applied to upgrade from 120 watts to 250 watts in downtown Miami. It will join 100.3 W262AN Tamarac, FL in simulcasting News/Talk 610 WIOD.
Programming Changes
94.5 W233AW Beaufort, SC is now simulcasting 1490 WVGB Beaufort. The stations target Hilton Head Island as CHR “94.5 The Party“.
Approvals
The Hope Christian Church/CBS upgrades in Baltimore have been approved. 104.9 W285EJ White Marsh and 106.1 W291BA Baltimore will both simulcast 101.9 WLIF-HD2 from opposite sides of the city.
The EMF/Clear Channel tandem moves head into North Carolina. 101.9 W270AW Sanford, NC has begun its move towards Raleigh. It will take a few more steps, but when complete will simulcast 106.1 WRDU-HD2.
Mel Wheeler Inc, has completed its acquisition and upgrade of 97.7 W249AG Roanoke, VA. The station will simulcast Urban AC “Vibe 100” 100.1 WVBE-FM Lynchburg via 610 WVBE Roanoke.
Saga Communications has been granted a license to cover for 99.9 K260AM Des Moines, IA. The translator has not yet signed on, but will rebroadcast 102.5 KSTZ-HD2 when it does.
Applications
The EMF/CC combo train is also upgrading in Akron, OH. 102.5 W273BL Akron has applied to upgrade from 10 watts to 74 watts, where it will cover much of Akron proper rebroadcasting Clear Channel’s 98.1 WKDD-HD2.
In a move that doesn’t involve Clear Channel, EMF has applied to move 96.3 K242AF Portland, OR to 103.7. The signal will degrade from 34 watts to 23 watts, however the move is being made to prevent the translator from being lost as 96.3 will soon become home to KWLZ-FM, moving into Portland from 96.5 in Bend, OR.
