WISCONSIN:
The Trinity Broadcasting Network's W33AX (Madison) has been granted a move to channel 38 as W38CT with 10kW. Three Angels Broadcasting Network had also applied for channel 38 as a new location for its W54BH (Madison), but W54BH also applied for and was granted a move to channel 23. The changes are necessary to make room for new digital stations. (2/29/2K)
WISCONSIN:
The Calvary Chapel of Twin Falls, Idaho has been granted a translator for its Calvary Satellite Network in De Pere, W209BM/89.7. The translator will relay KAWZ Twin Falls, Idaho, by satellite. (2/29/2K)
NORTH DAKOTA/WISCONSIN:
The FCC has issued construction permits for the following digital TV stations: KFYR-DT/31 (Bismarck, ND), KQCD-DT/18 (Dickinson), KMOT-DT/58 (Minot), KUMV-DT/52 (Williston); and WEAU-DT/39 (Eau Claire, WI). (2/29/2K)
MINNESOTA:
K102 made some big changes to its morning show today, renaming it the "K102 Wakeup Crew" and changing some of the hosts. Donna Valentine moves from afternoons and Muss moves from evenings to join John Hines in the morning, replacing Pam Lewis and Gino Ruberto. K102 has also begun using a new jingle package. (2/28/2K)
MINNESOTA:
KQDS/1490 (Duluth) is now rebroadcasting the Easy Listening/Nostalgia format of "Sunny 104-3" (KZIO Two Harbors-Duluth) instead of KQDS-FM/94.9. Sunny runs ABC's Stardust format, but is not running any liners, with the only identification on the hour and during weather. (That means four seconds of silence at the end of network breaks, some of which are optional, which means silence between songs.) Does this mean 104.3, along with its Canal Park translator at 106.3, will start a different format, or are they just in the middle of a sloppy changeover in liners? (Tom Lijewski, one of the previous ownership interests, was on the old liners.) I didn't hear any local commercials on Sunny when I was in town today. (2/27/2K)
WISCONSIN:
The new format on WGBM/94.7 (Mishicot-Green Bay) is Hard Rock as "Razor 94.7." Woodward Communications is reportedly starting this format to battle Cumulus' "Fox" (WWWX/96.9 and WXWX/107.5), which has taken some audience from Woodward's WAPL/105.7. Sounds a lot like a battle that occurred a few years ago in the Twin Cities. (2/27/2K)
MINNESOTA:
The FCC has approved Hubbard Broadcasting's purchase of KVBM/45 (Minneapolis). (2/27/2K)
NORTH DAKOTA:
KXMC/13 (Minot) has been granted its digital channel, which will be channel 45. (2/27/2K)
WISCONSIN:
WGBM/94.7 (Mishicot-Green Bay) has apparently dropped its Classic Country format after being sold to Woodward Communications. They've been off the air for a few days, and a message on their website says "Thank you for taking a ride on 'The Mustang'." (2/26/2K)
MINNESOTA:
Harris Faulkner will be joining KSTP-TV as an anchor of the 5 p.m. news. She's moving from WDAF-TV in Kansas City, and is author of Breaking News: God Has a Plan. (2/24/2K)
MINNESOTA:
Update: KBFH/107.1 (Moose Lake) is still rebroadcasting WKLK-FM/96.5 (Cloquet) without KBFH identification. (2/24/2K)
MINNESOTA:
WKLK-FM/96.5 (Cloquet) has dropped ABC's Oldies Radio format for ABC's Hot AC format. They're using the slogan "K96.5" with the positioner "Today's Best Music." The format includes some "Urban" hits that stations in nearby Duluth don't play. Co-owned KBFH/107.1 (Moose Lake), which had been rebroadcasting WKLK-FM, is apparently no longer doing so. (2/23/2K)
NEBRASKA:
The FCC has decided to add the following allocations to the table of allotments: Hershey 107.3C1, Mitchell 99.3A, Overton 99.3C2, Paxton 93.5C1, Ravenna 107.1C2, and Sutherland 100.7C1. However, the FCC denied a request to allot 99.1A to Pleasant Dale. All of the requests were made by Mountain West Broadcasting. Potential applicants will have to wait until the FCC opens filing windows for these allocations. (2/23/2K)
WISCONSIN:
The new chief meterologist at WGBA/NBC26 (Green Bay) is Mark Torregrossa, who moves from Saginaw. (2/23/2K)
IOWA:
KTPR/91.1 (Fort Dodge) is changing hands from Iowa Central Community College to Iowa State University, which operates WOI/640 and WOI-FM/90.1 (Ames). (2/18/2K)
MINNESOTA:
Wendy Wenk has left Zone 105 to join 104-1 The Point. She was one of the Edge DJ's that ABC moved to Zone 105 when X moved from 105 to 93. (2/17/2K)
MINNESOTA:
Thomas Ingstad is buying KDJS/1590 and KDJS-FM/95.3 (Willmar) from Kandi Broadcasting. (2/17/2K)
MINNESOTA:
The Pensacola Christian College has applied for a non-translator station on 88.1 in Rosemount, a far southern suburb of the Twin Cities. The proposed facilities are not yet available. (2/16/2K)
WISCONSIN:
WMKE-LP/8 (Milwaukee) has applied to move to channel 7 with 3kW. WMVS has a construction permit for a digital station on channel 8, so WMKE must move or leave the air. (2/16/2K)
WISCONSIN/MINNESOTA:
Update: The sale of WIXK AM-FM to Hubbard Broadcasting does not include WEZU/1220 (Stillwater), which will be retained by Smith Broadcasting. (2/16/2K)
MINNESOTA:
With its purchase of KSTQ/99.3 (Alexandria), Paradis Broadcasting will change the call letters to KXRZ, to reflect the new tie with KXRA AM-FM. (2/16/2K)
MINNESOTA:
KSCR/1290 (Benson) will be changing back to its original call letters, KBMO. 1290 has been rebroadcasting KSCR-FM/93.5, so the call change may signify a format change for 1290. (2/16/2K)
WISCONSIN:
W35BI/35 (Tomah) is changing to WXYM-LP. (2/16/2K)
WISCONSIN/MINNESOTA:
It's official: Hubbard Broadcasting is purchasing WIXK/1590 and WIXK-FM/107.1 (New Richmond) from Smith Broadcasting. No word whether the deal includes Smith's other property, WEZU/1220 (Stillwater). Rumors had been that Hubbard would put a Smooth Jazz format on the frequency. WIXK-FM does not have an excellent signal across the Twin Cities, but the New Richmond area is becoming part of the Twin Cities. There is potential for a small upgrade without affecting any other stations; a larger upgrade could be made by downgrading other stations, which Hubbard may have the money to do. (2/15/2K)
WISCONSIN/MINNESOTA:
NBC has secured the right to purchase 18% of the shares of Granite Broadcasting, the parent company of KBJR/6 (NBC, Superior-Duluth). It's part of a larger deal that includes the affiliation of one of Granite's San Francisco market stations with NBC. A 10-year affiliation contract with NBC for KBJR and Granite stations in Peoria and Fresno is also included. (2/15/2K)
MINNESOTA:
The FCC has slapped the owners of KMSP/UPN9 with a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture of $14,000 for "repeated violations of FCC rule limiting the amount of commercial matter that may be aired during children's programming." (2/12/2K)
MINNESOTA:
The Minnesota Wild and KMSP/UPN9 have signed a deal making KMSP the exclusive broadcast TV home of Minnesota Wild hockey for five years, starting with the Wild's inaugral 2000-2001 season. KMSP will also produce pre-season and post-season specials. (2/11/2K)
MINNESOTA:
KDLH/3 (CBS, Duluth) has hired Rob Heverling as its new news director. He was last executive director at KCNC (Denver). (2/10/2K)
MINNESOTA:
It's a war over "Today's Hit Music" in the Twin Cities. 104-1 The Point dropped the positioner "Today's Alternative and Retro" in favor of "Today's Hit Music Alternative." Then, after almost a decade of using the positioner "Today's Best Music," KDWB/101.3 switched to "All of Today's Hit Music." Meanwhile, KCLD/104.7 (St. Cloud) has been "Hit Music" for a long time. (2/9/2K)
MICHIGAN:
The Michigan Broadcast Guide sends word of a format swap that took place on January 31st: ex-Oldies WFXD/103.3 (Marquette) is now Country as "B103", and ex-Country WHCH/98.3 (Munising) is now "Oldies 98" using ABC's Oldies Radio. Both stations are owned by Great Lakes Radio. (2/9/2K)
MICHIGAN:
Scanlan Television has been granted a new full power TV station on channel 10 in Ishpeming. The new station is in the Marquette market, and since Scanlan already owns Marquette market station WBKP/5 (ABC, Calumet), the FCC had to grant Scanlan a satellite exception to the duopoly rule before a Construction Permit for the new station could be issued. The Michigan Broadcast Guide reports that Scanlan will operate WKBP and the new station in the same manner as it operates three other pairs of stations in other parts of Michigan. WBKP currently has a translator on channel 28 in Marquette, which will be replaced by the new channel 10. (2/8/2K)
MINNESOTA:
Thomas Ingstad is buying KDUZ/1260 (Hutchinson) and KKJR/106.9 "The Flame" (Dassell) from North American Broadcasting. KDUZ/KKJR suddenly became more attractive once it was announced KARP/96.3 (Glencoe) would begin targeting a Twin Cities audience. (2/8/2K)
SOUTH DAKOTA:
KELO-TV's Steve Hemmingsen announced his retirement last Friday (2/4). He's been doing the 6 and 10 p.m. news for about 25 years. His last newscast will be in May, but he'll still work on other projects for KELO after that. (2/8/2K)
WISCONSIN:
WXCX/105.7 (Siren) began its regular format at 11 a.m. February 7th: Oldies from ABC as "Oldies 105.7." (2/7/2K)
MINNESOTA:
Paradis Broadcasting is adding a third station to its Alexandria group with the purchase of KSTQ/99.3 from Branstock Communications. You may recall that KSTQ's last license renewal application was first rejected by the FCC, but later reconsidered and granted. Paradis currently owns KXRA/1490 and KX92. (2/5/2K)
IOWA:
WOI-TV/5 (ABC, Ames) has been granted its digital station, which will be on channel 59. (2/5/2K)
MINNESOTA:
All Access reports that James Ingstad is facing a legal fight from Cumulus Media over Ingstad's sale of KBGY/107.5 (Faribault) to Milestone Radio. (Go there for more information.) (2/4/2K)
MINNESOTA:
KAAL/6 (ABC, Austin) has been granted its digital station, which will be on channel 33. (2/3/2K)
MINNESOTA:
Spirit 93 (KKJM St. Joseph-St. Cloud) moved into its new home, the old KCFB/91.5 building, about a week ago. The building was renovated and an addition is currently being built. KKJM is working on an internet feed, which is being tested at www.looingup.org. (2/2/2K)
MINNESOTA/WISCONSIN:
Family Worship Center has applied for more translators: 89.9 Madison, MN, and 91.9 Platteville, WI. Family Worship Center is another name for Jimmy Swaggart Ministries, which applied for more than 30 translators in the Upper Midwest last year under the name Starcom. So far, "Family Worship Center" has applied for 29 translators in Minnesota and Wisconsin. All of the stations would relay WJFM Baton Rouge, LA, which carries Swaggart's Sonlife network. (2/2/2K)
WISCONSIN:
WXCX/105.7 (Siren) plans to begin its regular format within a week. The format will be Oldies from ABC, with the slogan "Oldies 105.7". There will be no local programming outside of five daily newscasts, weather reports, sportscasts, and high school sports broadcasts. WXCX has been on the air since December 28, 1999, mostly rebroadcasting sister station WWLC/104.9 (Balsam Lake). The debut of the regular format has been held up by random equipment problems; most recently, a defective SmartCaster. WWLC and WXCX are owned by Casey Communications and LMA'd to Pine City Broadcasting, which owns and operates WCMP/1350 and WCMP-FM/100.9 in Pine City. WWLC and WXCX operate out of an office in Milltown with an airstaff of 2.5. (2/1/2K)
MINNESOTA/WISCONSIN:
Another set of applications for new translators by Family Worship Center has come through the FCC's records. The latest applications: 89.1 Brainerd, 88.1 Evansville, and 90.7 Montevideo, MN; 90.1 Antigo, 90.5 Baraboo, 91.5 Cornell, 91.5 Marshfield, 88.1 Medford, 89.1 Mercer, 88.1 Merrill, 89.5 Portage, 89.5 Prairie du Chein, 90.7 Richland Center, 89.9 River Falls, and 89.7 Tomah, WI. (2/1/2K)
WISCONSIN/MINNESOTA:
WJMC-FM (Rice Lake) made the switch from 96.3 to 96.1 at 12:05 a.m. on February 1, mid-song. KARP/96.3 (Glencoe) then switched to its new 100kW facility near Watertown. KARP is expected to change format to Urban Contemporary in a few months, now that it has a Twin Cities signal. (2/1/2K)
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