WTAW-FM Buffalo

[purpledevil]

It's apparently on the air as of the middle of June, operating on channel 278. Can't find out what format it is airing, whether it be an FM simulcast of 1620, or something else. Anyone up in Leon, Limestone, Robertson, or Freestone County able to hear it and verify its existence? This makes the first of two complete for Bryan Broadcasting, the other being the forthcoming KKEE Centerville on channel 274.

WTAW-FM: http://fccdata.org/?facid=190405
KKEE-FM: http://fccdata.org/?facid=&call=KKEE&ccode=1&city=&state=&country=US&arn=&party=&party_type=LICEN

 

[b-turner]

Wow, that's coming out of left field in my mind. I worked in the Bryan/College Station market when WTAW 1150 AM was country and top 40 KTAW FM was the FM back in the 1980s. When the new owners took over I felt they would get rid of the staff and switch the format for the FM, so I left. Mary "Mike" Hatcher was the General Manager at the time and years later she was still in that position, or at least heading up sales. The company was set on being a player in Bryan/College Station.

With this new station and the legendary call letters, I have to think why. They obtain lots of agency buys and local advertisers on their stations. WTAW FM appears to be a small market station beyond the interest of agency and local buys from Bryan/College Station businesses. Are they looking at moving the station to cover the Bryan/College Station market or increase power to cover the dual cities or might this be a first step at building a more regional coverage? There easily could be something I do not know about that area.

I suspect they may be simulcasting WTAW AM. Even so, you have to have a local presence, so that means an office and a local person in that office. I have known of many 'on the cheap' methods of doing this. The 'classic' to me was the station that rented a room in a small insurance agency and paid half the salary of the receptionist so she could act as an employee for the station while also being an employee of the insurance agency.

I have not heard them but I might be close enough to hear them in a few days. If I can catch them in the car, I'll tell you what they're doing.

 

[Chuck]

I didn't even know that Buffalo had a radio station. It might be a good idea though. As you drive trough, it is about the end of useful coverage for Dallas stations and not close enough to Houston or Austin to get much on the radio. It's right about where I'm listening to XM or my own music.

 

[purpledevil]

I didn't even know that Buffalo had a radio station. It might be a good idea though. As you drive trough, it is about the end of useful coverage for Dallas stations and not close enough to Houston or Austin to get much on the radio. It's right about where I'm listening to XM or my own music.

Never had one before, Chuck. This is Buffalo's first licensed service. It does seem logical for a facility to spring up on that 45 corridor, considering the facts as you laid them out. KNES in Fairfield does well, just north of there. KMVL has a nice local following directly to the south in Madisonville. You'd think that a local service for Leon county directly between the two would be fairly lucrative. Aha, but then we turn back the hands of time and remember what was KAJG. KAJG, you say? Ok, you might no it better as KUZN Centerville. 25 kilowatts of sheer power, and it failed miserably. Tried country, tried gospel, ended up going silent for the better part of 5 years, and then became what it is now, a 25,000 watt originator for the plethora of Radio Aleluya translators up yonder way.

Now, Bryan Broadcasting is attempting to place two 6kW class A's in the same area that 105-9 failed in before. Me? I think the same as Bill does. I wholeheartedly believe both of these facilities are using Buffalo and Centerville as stepping stones in an effort to leapfrog them into Bryan/College Station or nearby in the not too distant future. I figure much the same can be said for the facility in Teague that's due to be auctioned off this month. Shame really. Besides Texas 99 (KNES), 93-5 KBPC from Crockett, and 100-5 KMVL (all country music, BTW) the options there really are limited.

 

[Chuck]

Now, Bryan Broadcasting is attempting to place two 6kW class A's in the same area that 105-9 failed in before. Me? I think the same as Bill does. I wholeheartedly believe both of these facilities are using Buffalo and Centerville as stepping stones in an effort to leapfrog them into Bryan/College Station or nearby in the not too distant future. I figure much the same can be said for the facility in Teague that's due to be auctioned off this month. Shame really. Besides Texas 99 (KNES), 93-5 KBPC from Crockett, and 100-5 KMVL (all country music, BTW) the options there really are limited.

That makes more sense than trying to scrape out a living in a town like Buffalo. I doubt the market can really support it. Small town radio is a difficult business.