January 2010
IOWA:
KFMG-LP/99.1 (Des Moines) went silent on Jan. 15. The 100-Watt station is licensed to Employee & Family Resources, whose board decided to take the station off the air for financial reasons. EFR is looking for a suitable non-profit organization to take the license. KFMG-LP had signed on in 2007 with a Progressive/Adult Alternative format. (1/28/2010)
MINNESOTA:
As planned, Twin Cities Public Television station KTCI-DT (St. Paul) has moved its actual broadcast channel from 16 to channel 23, upgrading from 50kW to 300kW. (WUCW/23.1, which had previously used analog channel 23, broadcasts on RF channel 22.) Broadcast viewers will need to rescan their receivers. KTCI-DT/16 had been home to channel 2.3 (TPT Life) and 2.4 (TPT Weather), but DX'ers report 2.4 is now on KTCA-DT/34, along with 2.1 (TPT2) and 2.2 (TPT Minnesota), leaving only 2.3 on KTCI-DT/23.
TPT had earlier announced plans to swap the programming on channels 2.3 and 2.4 but apparently decided against that idea. (1/28/2010)
NORTH DAKOTA/SOUTH DAKOTA:
105.9 "Bob FM" (KKBO Flasher-Bismarck) is off the air due to transmitter building damage suffered during last weekend's storm. The station continues to stream its programming, commercial-free, at 1059bobfm.com. Meanwhile, DX-midAMerica reports KBJM/1400 (Lemmon, SD) is back on the air after its tower collapsed last weekend. (1/28/2010)
SOUTH DAKOTA:
Add KBJM/1400 (Lemmon) to the list of stations silenced by last weekend's storm. The station reports in a notification of suspension of operations that it suffered a "tower collapse due to high winds" on Saturday (1/23). As previously reported, a tower collapse near Reliance silenced KPLO-TV/6 and KPLO/94.5 (Reliance), while another collapse near South Shore silenced KSDR-FM/92.9 (Watertown), KIXX/96.1 (Watertown), and KKSD/104.3 (Milbank-Watertown). (1/27/2010)
SOUTH DAKOTA:
Sorenson Broadcasting is selling six stations to Riverfront Broadcasting, LLC for $3.2 million. The stations are KORN/1490 (Mitchell), KQRN/107.3 (Mitchell), KCCR/1240 (Pierre), KLXS-FM/95.3 (Pierre), KYNT/1450 (Yankton), and KKYA/93.1 (Yankton). Riverfront has been programming the stations since March 1, 2008, first under a sub-programming agreement with NRG Media, which had previously operated the stations, and then directly with Sorenson beginning Dec. 29, 2009. Riverfront is owned by Carolyn Becker (51%) and Doyle Becker (49%). It also holds the construction permit for KDAM/94.3 (Hartington, NE), which will serve the Yankton market, and owns KNCY/1600 (Nebraska City, NE) and KNCY-FM/103.1 (Auburn, NE). (1/27/2010)
MINNESOTA:
Minnesota Valley Broadcasting is exercising an agreement to buy KXLP/94.1 (Eagle Lake-Mankato) from Radioactive, LLC. Minnesota Valley Broadcasting, owned by the Linder family, has been operating KXLP under a local marketing and programming agreement since it signed on in 2007. Clear Channel orginally made the $1.2 million deal to buy 94.1 in 2006 and made a $960,000 down payment. In 2007, Clear Channel sold its Mankato group to Three Eagles Communications, and Three Eagles then transferred the 94.1 purchase agreement and two other stations to Minnesota Valley Broadcasting. Minnesota Valley Broadcasting owns five other stations targeting Mankato, while Three Eagles owns the city's other four commercial stations. (1/27/2010)
NEBRASKA:
Three Eagles' KLMS/1480 (Lincoln) has dropped ESPN Radio for an Oldies format capitalizing on the station's Top 40 heritage. Initial stunting, which can be heard at 1480klms.com, includes snippets of airchecks from the station's past. KLMS was the market's only all-sports outlet, though "Big Sports 590" (KXSP Omaha) and "ESPN 1620" (KOZN Omaha) can be heard in Lincoln. (1/27/2010)
IOWA:
The FCC has cancelled $7,000 fines against KHPP/1160 (Waukon) and KVIK/104.7 (Decorah) and replaced them with $187.50 penalties. The fines had been proposed for failure to file for license renewal in 2004 and continuing to broadcast after the old licenses had expired in 2005. Owner Wennes Communications filed the application using the FCC's online filing system but acknowledged it did not properly tender the filing fee. The company said it didn't realize there was a problem until it received letters from the FCC after the licenses had expired. A similar fine against Wennes' KNEI-FM/103.5 (Waukon) was cancelled last month. The $187.50 penalties amount to 25 percent of the original filing fee. (1/26/2010)
WISCONSIN:
New station WDTX/100.5 (Rothschild-Wausau) has ended the stunting and is now paired with WXCO/1230 (Wausau) as "Sports Fan 100.5." WisconsinBroadcasting.com reports both stations carry ESPN Radio, but will carry separate high school sports. (1/26/2010)
SOUTH DAKOTA:
Ice has fallen another broadcast tower in South Dakota. This time, it's a 820-foot tower near South Shore that was home to KSDR-FM/92.9 (Watertown), KIXX/96.1 (Watertown), and KKSD/104.3 (Milbank-Watertown). All are 100kW stations owned by Three Eagles Broadcasting, though the tower is owned by a separate company. The collapse comes just days after the KPLO-TV/FM tower near Reliance, SD collapsed. There were no injuries reported in either collapse. It's not yet clear when any of the stations will return to the air. (1/24/2010)
IOWA/NEBRASKA:
"New 102" (KQNU/102.3 Onawa-Sioux City) was knocked off the air by the weekend storm. The station has posted video of the expedition to its transmitter site in Thurston County, NE on YouTube. (1/24/2010)
WISCONSIN:
WisconsinBroadcasting.com reports that new station WDTX/100.5 (Rothschild-Wausau) is on the air and is stunting. The station is owned by JER Licenses and transmits with 25kW/84m from a tower southwest of Wausau. (1/23/2010)
SOUTH DAKOTA:
The KPLO-TV/6 (Reliance-Pierre, RF 13) tower has collapsed after a guy wire snapped due to ice buildup. KELOLAND reports the 712-foot tower crumpled after the guy wire broke. Then, the top 300 feet tipped over, snapping a power line. There were no reports of injuries. FCC records indicate the tower was built in 1957. KPLO is owned by Young Broadcasting and is a satellite of KELO-TV/11 (Sioux Falls), carrying CBS and My Network TV programming. The station says it hasn't determined how long KPLO-TV will be off the air, but most cable systems are still carrying the station, and satellite customers receive KELO-TV. KPLO/94.5 (Reliance), owned by James River Broadcasting, also used the tower and is also off the air. (1/22/2010)
MINNESOTA/WISCONSIN:
Liberal talk network Air America Radio is shutting down as it enters chapter 7 bankruptcy. Live programming ended Thursday afternoon, with repeats airing until 8 p.m. CT Monday when the network goes silent. The network has two affiliates in the Upper Midwest: KTNF/950 (St. Louis Park-Minneapolis) and WXXM/92.1 (Sun Prairie-Madison). However, both stations already carry other syndicated programming during the day and will only lose overnight and weekend programming. The network, which launched in April 2004, also had affiliates in Duluth and the Quad Cities at one time. (1/21/2010)
MANITOBA:
The CRTC has approved 5777152 Manitoba Limited's application for a new station in Neepawa. The new station will broadcast on 97.1 with 3.2kW/58m and carry 60 percent Country and 40 percent Pop and Rock, with eight hours of news weekly. Neepawa is about a two-hour drive northwest of Winnipeg and has a population of about 3,300. 5777152 Manitoba Limited is owned by William Gade. (1/21/2010)
MINNESOTA:
KDAL/610 (Duluth) will change its program schedule on Monday, Jan. 25, converting the Noon-2 p.m. slot from local news and talk to national programming. Pat Cadigan and Rik Jordan's local morning show will be shortened by an hour, making way for longtime news reporters Dave Walter and Dave Strandberg from 9-10 a.m. The "Dave and Dave Show" will take a deeper look into local news. Glen Beck moves up to the 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. slot, with his current 5-8 p.m. slot going to Jason Lewis. Dave Ramsey currently airs from 10 a.m. to Noon and will continue from 8-11 p.m. Clark Howard will be added from 1-2 p.m., with Joe Soucheray continuing from 2-5 p.m. (1/20/2010)
IOWA/WISCONSIN:
Indiana-based Calvary Radio Network is buying 31 FM stations and translators from Calvary Chapel of Costa Mesa, CA for $1 million. The stations include KIHS/88.9 (Adel, IA), K233BT/94.5 (Des Moines), WJWD/90.3 (Marshall, WI), W270AU/101.9 (Madison), and dozens of others in Illinois and Indiana. The asset purchase agreement allows the stations to continue carrying their current network programming. (1/20/2010)
WISCONSIN:
Radio Multi Media, the owner-to-be of WNOV/860 (Milwaukee), is buying translator W273AT/102.5 (Milwaukee) from WRVM, Inc. In an unusual move, the purchase price was redacted from a sale document filed with the FCC. W273AT is a 99-Watt translator and was heard on the air last month relaying WNOV's R&B format. The FCC approved the transfer of WNOV's license to Radio Multi Media in 2008, but FCC records indicate Courier Communications still holds the license. (1/20/2010)
MINNESOTA:
The FCC has granted Educational Media Foundation's KRLP/88.1 a move from Windom to Fairmont. The "K-Love" station currently uses 40W/118m in Windom; it'll use 2.7kW/122m in Fairmont. (1/18/2010)
MINNESOTA:
The FCC has granted Northwestern College's KDNW/97.3 (Duluth) an upgrade from 40kW/167m to 72kW/168m. Though the upgrade won't result in much of an increase in coverage area, it will intensify KDNW's signal in Duluth, which suffers interference from intermodulation. (1/18/2010)
MINNESOTA:
The University of Minnesota Duluth's KUMD/103.3 is now broadcasting 24 hours per day. The syndicated "Undercurrents" is now filling the overnight hours when KUMD had previously been off the air. The station carries Adult Alternative, Folk, and Blues music during the day and student-produced programming in the evening. (1/18/2010)
MINNESOTA:
C.J. has left the morning show at KROC-FM/106.9 (Rochester) as she prepares to move out of the area. Morning co-host Troy Dunken continues solo. (1/18/2010)
WISCONSIN:
VCY America's WVCY-TV/30 (Milwaukee) is now broadcasting 24 hours per day, continuing to carry Christian programming in the overnight hours. (1/18/2010)
MINNESOTA:
KARE 11 reports longtime channel 11 news and public affairs director Stuart A. Lindman has died at age 87. Lindman began at WMIN/1400 on 1945 and moved to TV when WMIN-TV/11 signed on in 1953. WMIN-TV shared time on channel 11 with WTCN-TV, and Lindman continued on channel 11 after the stations merged in 1956. He retired in 1987 but remained active in community organizations. (1/13/2010)
ONTARIO:
It appears CHFD/4 (Thunder Bay) may be about to lose its CTV affiliation. In an application to the CRTC, CHFD owner Thunder Bay Electronics seeks to remove a condition of license specifying that it operate as a CTV affiliate, saying its been unable to reach a new agreement with the network. The station will continue to carry programming from Global. CHFD and CBC affiliate CKPR-TV/2 are run by Dougall Media and are one of Canada's few remaining "twinstick" operations; there are no other commercial TV stations in Thunder Bay. CTV affiliates from other cities will continue to be available through cable and satellite. (1/12/2010)
WISCONSIN:
FOX 6 (WITI Milwaukee) will move the start of its morning newscast up a half-hour to 4:30 a.m., effective Jan. 18, becoming the first station in the Upper Midwest to crack the now-traditional 5 a.m. local news start. FOX 6 already has newscasts from 5-9 a.m., 11 a.m.-Noon, 5-6:30 p.m., and 9-10:35 p.m. All stream online. (1/12/2010)
WISCONSIN:
WisconsinBroadcasting.com reports that 250-Watt translator W243CM/96.5 (Shawano) is now on the air relaying WTCH/960 (Shawano). The station carries a format of News and Country music. W243CM was moved in from Clintonville. (1/12/2010)
IOWA:
Clear Channel has dropped Sports at KMJM/1360 (Cedar Rapids) and debuted a Classic Country format in its place. Clear Channel also owns "95-7 Kiss Country" (KKSY Anamosa-Cedar Rapids), which competes with Cumulus' KHAK/98.1 (Cedar Rapids). Ironically, 1360 was the original home of KHAK. It became KTOF in 1995 with a Christian format, and then switched to KMJM with a Nostalgia format in 2001. (1/11/2010)
MINNESOTA:
KSTP-TV/5 has announced that Joe Schmit will return as sports director/anchor on Jan 14. Schmit had been at the station for 21 years, the last year as a news anchor, before leaving in 2006. (1/7/2010)
MINNESOTA:
Northern Lights Broadcasting has flipped "B96" (KTTB/96.3 Edina-Minneapolis) from Hip-Hop to Contemporary Hits as "96.3NOW," and changed its callsign to KHTC. The switch puts 96.3 in direct competition with Clear Channel's heritage CHR, KDWB/101.3 (Richfield-Minneapolis). The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports KHTC has let go four on-air personalities, including Peter Parker, but morning host Tone E. Fly is still with the station. 96.3 had carried a Hip-Hop format since moving into the Twin Cities market in 2000. Last year, the station moved its transmitter to New Hope, strengthening its signal across the metro area. (1/6/2010)
IOWA:
KNEI-FM/103.5 (Waukon) has dropped Citadel's Real Country format and is now progamming a local country mix using the name "Bluff Country." The lineup includes Chuck & Sherry from 6-9 a.m., Erik Kelly from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m, operations manager Josh Blake from 2 to 8 p.m., and station owner Greg Wennes from 8 p.m. to Midnight. (1/6/2010)
MINNESOTA:
KRBI-FM/105.5 (St. Peter-Mankato) has reverted its slogan to "The River" and its format to Classic Hits. The Three Eagles Communications station had switched to "The Buzzard" in 2006 and moved to Classic Rock. The change back to Classic Hits came on Monday (Jan. 4) after a weekend of stunting with "Ole Olson and Lars Larson." "The River" is dropping "Bob and Tom" in favor of a local morning show hosted by Mike Schoen and Clay Kepner. (1/4/2010)
WISCONSIN:
W234BG/94.7 (Chetek-Rice Lake) is now carrying an Adult Contemporary format as "Rice Lake's 94.7, The River." The Zoe Communications station identifies itself as a translator of WGMO-HD2 (Spooner). (1/4/2010)
IOWA:
Iowa Public Television will no longer broadcast 24 hours a day effective Jan. 4. The network says it'll be off the air from Midnight to 5 a.m. as part of its effort to absorb a ten percent state budget cut. IPTV will continue to make its three channels available to Mediacom cable 24/7. To ensure broadcast viewers don't lose key programming, K-12 classroom programs will be broadcast from 10 p.m. to Midnight on IPTV Learns (.2), and Charlie Rose and Tavis Smiley will air at 10 and 11 p.m. on IPTV World (.3). IPTV's network includes nine full-power and seven low-power/translator stations. (1/4/2010)
MINNESOTA:
Twin Cities Public Television plans to move KTCI-TV (St. Paul) to a new, more powerful channel on Jan. 28 at 9 a.m. KTCI, which was analog channel 17, currently transmits on channel 16 and remaps to 2.3 and 2.4. It'll move to channel 23, upgrading from 50kW to 375kW, more closely matching the coverage of counterpart KTCA-TV/2.1-2.2 (RF 34). With the move, TPT plans to swap KTCI's channels, with weather programming moving to 2.3 and TPT Life moving to 2.4. Broadcast viewers will need to re-scan to continue receiving 2.3 and 2.4. It's been a long journey for KTCI, which originally planned to move to channel 26 and then proposed channel 38 before finally settling on channel 23. 23 was formerly occupied by analog WUCW, now digital 22 remapping to 23.1. (1/4/2010)
NEBRASKA:
The Lincoln Journal-Star reports former state senator John DeCamp plans to start a network of thirteen or more unlicensed half-Watt transmitters on 1710 in the Lincoln area. DeCamp, a lawyer, tells the paper the transmitters will not be powerful enough to require FCC licenses. The transmitters will carry a 24/7 commercial format, complete with an experienced airstaff and downtown studio. The format will be Oldies in the morning, liberal Talk in the afternoon, and Old Time Radio in the evening. A mid-January launch is planned through Live365. (1/1/2010)
