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.
Manitoba
The CRTC will consider Pattison Media’s proposed purchase of CKLF-FM/94.7 (Brandon), CKLQ-FM/91.5 (Brandon), and CKLQ/880 (Brandon) from Westman Radio during a Feb. 23, 2023 virtual hearing.
Minnesota
Innovative Media Technologies is selling a dozen low-power TV stations nationwide, including K26PF-D (St. Cloud, MN) and K06QJ-D (Sioux Falls, SD), to Bridge News LLC for $1.2 million. Programming on the stations is unknown.
KPMI-FM/94.5 (Baudette) amended its application to upgrade to 100kW, specifying the use of a directional antenna to limit the signal towards CHIQ-FM/94.3 (Winnipeg).
Nebraska
The FCC approved a callsign change for Hickory Radio’s KOBM/1420 (Omaha) to KXCB, effective Dec. 20. The change required consent from the U.S. Coast Guard because the callsign was previously assigned to the Arthur Dodd, which USDOT records show was a barge built in 1943 and sold to a foreign entity in 1951. KOBM is part of Hickory/Walnut Radio’s “Boomer” network of five signals that primarily identifies by the frequency of KOBM’s FM translator, K233CO/94.5 (Omaha).
The FCC granted MyBridge Radio new stations on 90.1 in Norfolk and 89.9 in Schuyler, dismissing an informal objection to the Schuyler application that had been filed by Triangle Access Broadcasting. The Norfolk station will use 4kW/77m (class A) and will displace Educational Media Foundation translator K211FN/90.1 (Norfolk). The Schuyler station will use 7kW/132m (class C3), rimshotting Columbus.
North Dakota
The FCC approved a modification to BEK Sports Networks’ construction permit for future TV station KNGF/27 (Grand Forks) to transmit with 720kW from the KVLY-TV tower near Blanchardville, reaching both Grand Forks and Fargo. It has a September 2025 construction deadline. The original permit had specified a 48.5kW facility that would have served the immediate Grand Forks area.
South Dakota
Nexstar submitted filings informing the FCC of the Dec. 13 collapse of the tower for KDLO-TV/3 (Florence), confirming that translator K24DT-D (Aberdeen) is also off the air.
Northwestern Media’s K220IT/91.9 (Watertown) applied to upgrade from 79 to 250 Watts. It will continue to relay KNWC-FM/96.5 (Sioux Falls).
See also a South Dakota item under Minnesota.
Wisconsin
The Family Radio Network’s WGNW/99.9 (Cornell-Eau Claire) has applied to change its license status from non-commercial to commercial. The frequency had originally operated commercially under different ownership and was converted to non-commercial status in 2016 by its previous owner. The Family Radio Network purchased it in 2020. The licensee is a non-profit and owns no other commercial stations.
Mazur LLC’s WSBW/105.1 (Ephraim) has been off the air since Nov. 30 due to technical problems, according to a request for special temporary authority to remain silent. The filing says a weather event caused a hole in the transmission line and then an error during repairs caused a different issue. The station is now awaiting replacement parts.
Civic Media requested a change in callsign at WLAK/1520 (New Holstein) to WVXN, which would be effective Jan. 5. Civic has already received approval to purchase WLAK and other stations from Metro North Broadcasting and Mark Heller.
The FCC approved Civic Media’s purchase of WAUK/540 (Jackson-Milwaukee) and W266DR/101.1 (Waukesha) from WAUK Radio LLC.
Barron Calvary Baptist Church was granted an upgrade of future station WGIF/90.1 (Rice Lake) from 830W/100m to 6kW/68m.
Disclosure: Jon Ellis is an employee of Gray Media Group. The statements and views expressed in this posting are his own and do not reflect those of Gray Media Group.