KTLM RGV to become Telemundo O&O

[silverthree]

The station was sold to Telemundo Rio Grande Valley LLC:

http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/70492/ktlm-harlingen-tx-sold-for-85-million


Also mentioned here:

http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/70542/station-trading-roundup-5-deals-1118m

 

[mmnassour]

Aren't they actually licensed to Rio Grande City?

 

[fredcantu]

According to the FCC database they are now in fact licensed to Harlingen. BTW-- $8.5 million sounds like a steal in any market. The facilities ought to be worth that much.

 

[jd]

Maybe this explains what's really going on. Rabbit Ears shows KTLM in both places: http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KTLM#station

Apparently the one in Rio Grande City is on channel 40 with 355kW and Harlingen is on channel 22 with 15KW (directional mainly toward the west). The display channel for both is 40.1 (through .6) with the nickname "Telemundo 40 McAllen." Could have fooled me; I was only aware of the Rio Grande City operation.

 

[dougw9wi]

Maybe this explains what's really going on. Rabbit Ears shows KTLM in both places: http://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=station_search&callsign=KTLM#station

Apparently the one in Rio Grande City is on channel 40 with 355kW and Harlingen is on channel 22 with 15KW (directional mainly toward the west). The display channel for both is 40.1 (through .6) with the nickname "Telemundo 40 McAllen." Could have fooled me; I was only aware of the Rio Grande City operation.

http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/tv-query-broadcast-station-search

(put "KTLM" in the "Call Sign" box and click "Submit Data")

KTLM has two "DTV Replacement Translators". One is operating on channel 22 at Harlingen and has permission to move to a new site. The other is on channel 43 at McAllen. It's a permit -- it doesn't have a license to cover so it's possible it's not on the air yet.

The main transmitter is on channel 40 and is indeed still licensed to Rio Grande City.

From a technical standpoint, a "Digital Replacement Translator" (I'll call it a "DRT") is identical to any other digital translator. Usually, the same datastream that's broadcast from the main transmitter is also sent to the translator(s). So everything, including the display channels and station names, will be identical. The difference between a "DRT" and a regular digital translator is legal. The "DRT" is part of the main station's license. Which means it doesn't get its own callsign. There actually are three KTLM's.