The FCC has approved applications for two major Twin Cities TV stations to share a new top-mounted antenna at the well-known Telefarm transmitter site in Shoreview.
CBS owned-and-operated WCCO-TV/4.1 and Tegna NBC affiliate KARE/11.1 have both been granted construction permits to use 1,000kW at 456 meters above average terrain from the Telefarm North tower.
WCCO currently transmits from the Telefarm South tower, which is 100 feet away, from a slightly lower antenna height of 432 meters HAAT. It will continue to transmit on RF channel 32.
KARE’s move will be part of its frequency change from channel 11 to channel 31. The station has said it hopes the change from VHF to UHF will make the station easier to receive with indoor antennas.
The construction permits are valid for three years.