The following are updates to previously-reported items and other recent regulatory filings and actions concerning Upper Midwest broadcast stations. This report is created by the author and is not an official report of the FCC.
The FCC issued a report and order changing rules for FM booster stations to allow them to originate up to three minutes of separate programming per hour. Boosters have existed for decades and, unlike translators, operate on the same frequency as the primary station. The only current FM booster stations in the Upper Midwest operate in Rapid City, South Dakota, but the rule change could lead other FM stations to establish boosters for the purpose of geotargeting advertising and other programming to specific parts of their existing coverage area. The technology is being promoted by GeoBroadcast Solutions.
Minnesota
Coastal Television Group closed on its purchase of FOX affiliate KQDS-TV/21.1 (Duluth) from KQDS-TV Corp., a sister company to Red River Broadcast Corp., on April 5. The sale of KQDS-DT and its sister stations in North Dakota mark the end of Red River Broadcast Corp. after several decades in business.
The FCC has approved Lakeland Media LLC’s purchase of KOLV/100.1 (Olivia-Willmar) from Bold Radio for $100,000. The buyer has the same ownership as the seller and already operates the station through a local marketing agreement. The transfer follows the sale of stations in Willmar to Lakeland Media.
The FCC granted We Have This Hope Christian Radio’s WYNJ/89.5 (Blackduck) a construction permit to replace its expired permit to increase power from 800 Watts to 10kW, switching to a directional antenna to limit the signal towards Bemidji.
Nebraska
Gray TV’s KNPL-LD (North Platte) reports that it went off the air March 23 due to a transmitter failure. Repairs are underway.
North Dakota
Coastal Television Group closed on its purchase of FOX affiliate KVRR/15.1 (Fargo) and satellites KBRR/10.1 (Thief River Falls-Grand Forks), KNRR/12.1 (Pembina), and KJRR/7.1 (Jamestown) from Red River Broadcast Corp. on April 5. The sale of the stations, and KQDS-TV above, mark the end of Red River Broadcast Corp. after several decades in business.
The FCC granted Prairie West Development Foundation a construction permit for a new low-power FM station on 90.5 in Beach, using 100 Watts. The group promotes business in the area and says it also plans to use the new radio station to provide community information.
The FCC granted Golden Valley Broadcasting a construction permit for a new low-power FM station on 105.5 in Williston, using 100 Watts. The group’s application did not specify programming plans.
South Dakota
Gray TV’s K35GR-D (Badger) reports that it is operating at reduced power using a backup transmitter. Normally using 6.76kW, K35GR is currently transmitting with 2.7kW.
Wisconsin
Magnum Media reports that WDLS/900 (Wisconsin Dells) and its FM translator, W253DH/98.5 (Baraboo), returned to the air April 3. Programming is not immediately known.
Magnum’s W271DQ/102.1 (Baraboo) was granted a construction permit to move its transmitter to northern Dane County, using 200 Watts. The new facility will reach DeForest and Waunakee, with WAUN/1350 (Portage) remaining as the translator’s originating station.
The FCC approved a modification to future Salvation Poem Foundation station WEQW/90.5 (Westfield) to move the transmitter north with 8kW/130m (class C3).
Roseland Broadcasting’s W17ET-D, which is licensed to Sioux Falls, SD, but it currently authorized to transmit from a site near Darlington, WI, has now applied to move closer to Madison. The proposed 1kW directional facility would transmit from the Town of Primrose and reach parts of the southeastern Madison metro area.
Disclosure: Jon Ellis was an employee of Gray Media Group at the time this item was posted. The statements and views expressed in this posting are his own and do not reflect those of Gray Media Group.