Stations and companies
Tegna confirmed that its planned merger with an affiliate of Standard General L.P. has been formally terminated. Tegna is the owner of NBC affiliate KARE 11 (Minneapolis), ABC affiliates WOI-DT/5 (Ames-Des Moines) and WQAD/8 (Moline-Quad Cities), and CW affiliate KCWI/23 (Ames-Des Moines). The canceled transaction would have also had Standard General transfer its KLKN/8 (Lincoln) to Cox.
Gray TV’s stations in Mankato announced changes to their subchannel lineup effective June 1. Circle Network and ION will swap positions, with ION moving to KEYC/12.3 and Circle moving to KMNF-LD/7.3. KMNF-LD is also relayed on K33MW-D. Meanwhile, KEYC will add a local weather channel on 12.4 and Oxygen on 12.5.
Twin Cities PBS (KTCA/2.1 and KTCI/2.3) is informing viewers that it will be replacing its antenna this year, with future updates to be provided on the impact to the broadcast signal. KTCA and KTCI transmit from the KMSP/WFTC (TV) tower in Shoreview, which is also used by ten FM stations.
All Access reported that “100.7 The Fox” (KKRQ Iowa City-Cedar Rapids) has returned to the air following its March tower collapse.
Ford pulled back on plans to remove AM radio from future vehicles after pushback from broadcasters and elected officials. It’s now up to broadcasters to continue showing that AM is necessary into the future.
After speaking with policy leaders about the importance of AM broadcast radio as a part of the emergency alert system, we've decided to include it on all 2024 @Ford & @LincolnMotorCo vehicles. For any owners of Ford EVs without AM broadcast capability, we’ll offer a software…
— Jim Farley (@jimfarley98) May 23, 2023
People
CBS promoted Kari Patey, currently the news director at WCCO-TV/4 (Minneapolis), to vice president of producer development at CBS Stations. She will continue to be based at WCCO-TV.
The Star Tribune profiled Elizabeth Ries, host of KSTP-TV’s “Twin Cities Live.”
Diana Castillo has been hired as news director at Gray NBC affiliate KTIV/4 (Sioux City). Castillo was formerly news director and anchor of the now-shuttered Siouxland News at Sinclair FOX/CBS affiliate KPTH (Sioux City). She begins her new job July 17.
Broadcast Dialogue and other outlets reported that Winnipeg radio veteran Tom McGouran is joining Corus’ “Peggy@99.1” (CFPG-FM) to host mornings starting July 4.
The Brandon Wheat Kings and “Q Country 91.5” (CKLQ-FM) have parted ways with Chase Johnston, who had served as director of media relations and play-by-play host.
As noted by RadioInsight, Taylor Pike has returned to “Big 98.7” (KLTA Moorhead-Fargo), where he co-hosts mornings with Amanda Lea.
President Biden has nominated Anna Gomez to the Federal Communications Commission, which is currently split 2-2. Biden also nominated Geoffrey Starks and Brendan Carr for new terms on the commission.
Meanwhile, Carr is on a three-day visit to South Dakota and Iowa that began Wednesday, May 24. The agenda is mostly focused on internet and public safety and also includes a visit to a tower company.
In case you missed it here:
- End of “Takeaway” Means Changes to MPR, WPR Schedules
- FCC Denies Applications for New Minneapolis FM Stations
- FCC Monitor: Western Minn. PBS Station Remains Off the Air
News tips? Press releases? If you don’t see yours here, I probably didn’t receive it! Please send them to jonellis@northpine.com!
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.