WISCONSIN:
Buzz is that WATQ/106.7 (Chetek-Eau Claire) may be dropping its Classic Country format as of January 1. (12/31/99)
WISCONSIN:
WXCX/105.7 (Siren) signed on December 28th just after 6 p.m., though it may go off the air again before the regular format begins in January. WXCX is rebroadcasting the Adult Contemporary format of co-owned StarStation 104.9 (WWLC Balsam Lake) for now. WXCX will take over WWLC's old studio, but WWLC's new studio is not ready yet. (12/30/99)
NORTH DAKOTA:
FOX affiliates KNDX/26 (Bismarck) and KXND/24 (Minot) have been on the air since November. A translator or satellite LPTV station in Williston is expected to sign on in mid-January at channel 38. Another translator for Dickinson is planned. (12/29/99)
MINNESOTA:
There were some unlicensed stations on the air in the Twin Cities over the Christmas holiday broadcasting Christmas music. They were on 87.9 Minneapolis, 97.9 St. Paul, and 107.5 Woodbury. The stations broadcast the same music as KSMM/1530 (Shakopee). (12/29/99)
MINNESOTA/SOUTH DAKOTA:
Two former translators of KCGN-FM/101.5 (Ortonville) have been donated to North Central Christian Broadcasting (WNCB Duluth). Windsent, Inc., donated the translators in Willmar, MN, and Brookings, SD, to NCCB. The Willmar translator is licensed for 106.5, but a new station was recently granted for Sunburg on 106.5, so they'll have to find a new frequency for the Willmar translator before it can be used. The Brookings translator is on 106.7. (12/29/99)
IOWA:
The FCC has indicated that it plans to investigate concentration of ownership in the Quad Cities market before approving the sale of Connoisseur Communications' stations to Cumulus Media. The Commission is also concerned about Rockford, Illinois and a market in Indiana. (12/29/99)
WISCONSIN/MINNESOTA:
The new tower for WJMC-FM (Rice Lake) near Haugen appears to be done. WJMC will move from 96.3 to 96.1 and drop power from 100kW to 50kW when it moves to the new tower, making way for KARP/96.3 (Glencoe) to move its tower closer to the Twin Cities and upgrade from 50kW to 100kW. WJMC is not mentioning the frequency change on the air yet. (12/28/99)
NORTH DAKOTA/MINNESOTA:
KFGX/95.1 (Detroit Lakes-Fargo) dumped its Rock format in favor of Adult Contemporary after playing Christmas music on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The new slogan is "River 95.1," with the call letters KRVI. The station is currently commercial- and announcer-free. (12/28/99)
MINNESOTA:
Dish Network began offering WCCO-TV, KSTP-TV, KARE, and WFTC to subscribers in the Minneapolis-St. Paul TV market on December 21. DirecTV still says it will be offering the channels "in the coming weeks." (12/28/99)
MINNESOTA:
104-1 The Point (WXPT) is counting down the Top 900 alternative songs of all time now through the end of the year. The countdown continues daily from Noon to Midnight. (12/27/99)
WISCONSIN:
WATQ/106.7 (Chetek-Eau Claire) is back to its "Country Favorites" format called "Moose Country 106.7" after a month of Christmas music. (12/27/99)
MINNESOTA:
Commercial stations in the Twin Cities stations playing nothing but Christmas music for the holiday include WCCO, KSGS, WEZU, KLBB, KS95, Spirit 95-9, Cities 97, K102, Lite Rock 103, and KOOL 108. (12/25/99)
MINNESOTA:
KSTP-TV/5 has determined the cause of the problem with its main transmission line is three internal conductor connections that failed and will need to be replaced. Soot from the burning of these connections affected about 16 twenty-foot sections of the transmission line, which will be taken down and repaired. If the weather is good, repairs may be completed next week. (12/25/99)
WISCONSIN:
WXCX/105.7 (Siren) will most likely begin testing on Sunday 12/26. Test programming will be a rebroadcast of co-owned StarStation 104.9 (WWLC Balsam Lake). WXCX's regular format will probably begin in mid-January. (12/24/99)
WISCONSIN:
WGEE/1360 (Green Bay) talk show host Bill LuMaye announced today on his afternoon show that his show will end after December 30th. General Manager Jeff McCarthy told the Green Bay News-Chronicle that the cancellation of LuMaye's show is part of a schedule change, which will be announced at a later date. (12/24/99)
MINNESOTA:
KSTP-TV/5 is operating on a backup antenna after a break occured in their transmission line during Monday Night Football on 12/20. Viewers who were unable to deal with reality for even a few minutes flooded KSTP with complaints. Hubbard Broadcasting said repair work will likely take at least three weeks. Until then, some viewers will have problems receiving Channel 5's signal. (12/23/99)
MINNESOTA:
Best Media's application for a translator on 88.1 in Eden Prairie has been dismissed by the FCC at the request of Best Media. St. Cloud State University, licensee of KVSC/88.1, had filed a petition to deny. The translator would've rebroadcast KFAI/90.3 (Minneapolis). (12/23/99)
IOWA:
Two organizations have applied for a new station on 88.9 in eastern Iowa. Broadcasting for the Challenged applied for a station licensed to Iowa City, while the Educational Media Foundation (K-LOVE) applied for a station licensed to Wapello. (12/23/99)
IOWA:
Tiger Eye Broadcasting is buying KOPE-LP/43 (Des Moines) from John R. Marple. (12/23/99)
MICHIGAN/SOUTH DAKOTA:
The Construction Permit for WBMU/91.5 (Iron Mountain) is now WVCM. The CP for a new station on 91.5 in Freeman, SD has been assigned KVCF. Both are owned by VCY/America. (12/23/99)
NORTH DAKOTA:
KQDY/94.5 (Bismarck) will change to KKLV to reflect the K-LOVE format that now runs there. (12/23/99)
MINNESOTA:
Milestone Radio is buying KBGY/107.5 (Faribault) from James Ingstad. Milestone owns WQPM/1300 and KLCI/106.1 (Princeton). Like KLCI, KBGY will have some Twin Cities coverage, but it will not be as strong as KLCI. (12/20/99)
MINNESOTA:
KDUL-LP (Duluth) plans to sign on at channel 12 in mid-February 2000. The station plans to be affiliated with UPN and America1. At 502 Watts, KDUL won't be a powerhouse, but it should cover the Twin Ports nicely. Word is that Bresnan Communications may replace KMSP with KDUL at channel 9 on its cable system. (12/19/99)
NORTH DAKOTA:
Dan Michaels, the longtime morning host at Lite Rock 105 (KLTA Breckenridge-Fargo), resigned on December 10 and had his last show on the 14th. The rumor is that he'll be joining 95.1 (Detroit Lakes-Fargo), which is rumored to be making a change from Hard Rock to Light AC, and Michaels will be the PD and morning host. (12/17/99)
IOWA:
The TBN Affiliate in Muscatine has moved from channel 52 (K52FN) to 62 (K62FU). K62FU's power is 18.9kW. The move was made to make way for KCRG-DT/52. (12/15/99)
WISCONSIN/IOWA:
The Green Bay Packers Radio Network has announced some affiliate changes for the 2000 season. In Green Bay, the Packers will move from WNFL/1440 to WDUZ/1400 and WXWX/107.5. In Appleton/Oshkosh, the broadcasts will move from WHBY/1150 and WPKR/99.5 to WOSH/1490 and WWWX/96.9. The Packers will enter the Dubuque market on WDBQ/1490 and KZGE/102.3. All of the stations joining the network are owned by Cumulus Media, which also owns the Packers affiliates in Eau Claire and Menomonie. (12/15/99)
MINNESOTA:
KFTC/26 (Bemidji) is on the air, according to their application to the FCC. Programming most likely comes from WFTC/29 (Minneapolis), though KFTC ID's must be inserted in Bemidji since none are seen on WFTC. (12/15/99)
MINNESOTA:
107.7 Proctor is still KUSZ, not WPNT as previously mentioned. It's unclear if KUSZ will ever become WPNT. (12/14/99)
SOUTH DAKOTA/IOWA/MINNESOTA:
Dean Sorenson is selling his 17 radio stations to Waitt Broadcasting for 18 million dollars. Waitt currently owns 17 radio stations and five TV stations (not two as previously reported). The stations being sold are KCRR/KLXS (Pierre), KYNT/KKYA (Yankton), KDBX (Clear Lake), KJJQ/KKQQ (Volga), KWAT/KIXX/KDLO (Watertown), KKSD (Milbank), KORN/KQRN (Mitchell), KVFD/KUEL (Ft. Dodge), and KCUE/KWNG (Red Wing). (12/14/99)
WISCONSIN:
Sinclair Broadcasting is creating the first TV duopoly in Milwaukee with the purchase of WVTV/18 (WB). Sinclair owns WGCV/24 (UPN) and has operated WVTV for several years. (12/14/99)
MINNESOTA:
KDUL-LP/60 (Duluth) is being purchased by Duluth TV Partners from Tiger Eye Broadcasting. KDUL has been off the air since 1997 and has applied to move to channel 12. (12/13/99)
IOWA/NEBRASKA/SOUTH DAKOTA:
The following digital TV stations have recently been granted: KWWL-DT/55 (Waterloo), KLKN-DT/31 (Lincoln, NE), KSNB-DT/34 (Superior, NE), KABY-DT/28 (Aberdeen, SD), KPRY-DT/19 (Pierre, SD), KEVN-DT/18 (Rapid City, SD), KSFY-DT/29 (Sioux Falls, SD), and KELO-TV/32 (Sioux Falls). (12/13/99)
IOWA:
Spartan Broadcasting, owner of KIMT/3 (CBS, Mason City), is being purchased by Media General. Media General will pay $605 million for the 13 Spartan TV stations. (12/10/99)
NORTH DAKOTA:
Clear Channel is buying KCJB/910, KYYX/97.1, and KMXA/99.9 (Minot) from Reiten Broadcasting. (12/10/99)
WISCONSIN:
WTMJ-TV/4 (NBC, Milwaukee) has created an Assistand News Director position, and Jay Rossow is joining WTMJ to fill the new position. He last worked in Miami. (12/10/99)
WISCONSIN:
Tom Zalaski, who left WBAY/2 (ABC, Green Bay) after 20 years to have evenings off, has joined WFRV/5 (CBS). He'll co-host the 5 and 6 p.m. news at WFRV. (12/10/99)
NEBRASKA:
WOW Country 94.1 (Omaha) is looking for a new midday host, as Mary Roth is moving from that slot to join Bob James in the morning. (12/10/99)
WISCONSIN:
WKBT/8 (CBS, La Crosse) is being purchased by QueenB Television from Young Broadcasting. QueenB Radio owns four stations in southwestern Wisconsin. (12/8/99)
WISCONSIN:
Tim Knol is joing WOI-TV/5 (ABC, Ames-DSM) as a reporter/photographer. (12/8/99)
SOUTH DAKOTA:
KKQQ/102.3 (Volga-Brookings) is now Country as "K102". KKQQ's old format moved to KDBX/107.1 (Clear Lake). DX mid-AMerica reports that KKQQ is using programming from Jones Radio Networks. (12/6/99)
IOWA:
William M. Smith has been granted the Construction Permit for a new full-power station on channel 22 in Waterloo. About a half-dozen other groups had also applied. (12/5/99)
IOWA:
Lifestyle Communications is purchasing Clear 96.1 (KLRX Madrid-Ames) from G.O. Radio. Lifestyle owns The Jock 107 (KJJC Osceola-Des Moines) and KIIC/97.9 (Lamoni). (12/5/99)
NORTH DAKOTA:
KPHT/92.7 (Kindred-Fargo) has changed or will change to KULW - "Kool." (12/4/99)
WISCONSIN:
WQLH/98.5 (Green Bay) is now known as "Star 98." They've "tightened" the playlist to be Adult Contemporary. Cumulus Media began renting WQLH and WDUZ/1400 from Green Bay Broadcasting in September and has a three-year option to purchase the stations. (12/3/99)
MINNESOTA:
The TV Barn reports that KARE11 will drop the Cheers rerun at 10:35 p.m. and begin airing The Tonight Show at the time other affiliates air it. KARE has been airing Cheers at this time for at least 15 years, with the exception of a few weeks in the late `80s when they got lots of angry phone calls after trying to put The Cosby Show on at 10:35 instead of Cheers. Perhaps that's why they've been so hesitant to make the change, which is effective January 3, 2000. (12/3/99)
WISCONSIN:
WATQ/106.7 (Chetek-Eau Claire) has set aside Classic Country in favor of Christmas Country. "Christmas 106" is the name being used instead of "Moose Country 106.7." (12/3/99)
WISCONSIN:
The Wisconsin Broadcast Page reports that FOX 55 (WFXS Wittenberg-Wausau) signed on December 1. WFXS becomes the fourth commercial station in the Wausau market, which has had three commercial stations since WJFW/12 signed on in 1966. (12/3/99)
MINNESOTA/WISCONSIN:
Mississippa Valley Broadcasters announced Tuesday it has reached an agreement with White Eagle Broadcasting to buy KQEG/102.7 (La Crescent). Once the sale is approved by the FCC , the studios will move from downtown La Crosse to Onalaska, where the company operates WLFN/1490, WLXR/104.9, and WQCC/106.3. Three other stations share the building and staff: WKBH/1570, WKBH-FM/100.1, and WFBZ/105.5. Pat Smith of Mississippi Broadcasters said the format, ABC's "Oldies Radio," will not change. Smith expects "The Eagle 102.7" to join the La Crosse Radio Group early next year. (12/3/99)
IOWA:
Waitt Broadcasting is buying KSOU/1090 and KSOU-FM/93.9 (Sioux Center), as well as KIHK/106.9 (Rock Valley) from Sioux County Broadcasting. Waitt, you may recall, has recently purchased nine Iowa radio stations and owns two Iowa TV stations. (12/3/99)
MINNESOTA:
92.1 Kiss FM (WWAX Duluth) has added a professional voice and "Kiss FM" jingles to its Adult Hits format. The voice is the same as KDWB and the old KZIO/102.5. Kiss FM is rebroadcast on KAOD Babbitt, KBAJ Deer River, and WXXZ Grand Marais. (12/2/99)
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