I thought normally a new owner also has its own transmitter and peripherals ready to switch to, but I don't know how that was negotiated between Cumulus and EMF.
That is almost never, ever the way a sale happens.
In nearly 100% of the cases (and every one I know of) the new owner of a station just takes over the operation of the existing transmission facilities and related agreements.
The transmitter equipment goes to the buyer. The site itself, whether leased or owned, transfers to the buyer.
A new owner may have changes in audio processing gear preferences, but that is something that can generally be prepared for in advance, making for a seamless transfer.
In the case of EMF, they may simply want to take a few hours to take out gear they don't intend to use and the organize the rack space, etc., and do some testing prior to beginning the satellite delivered programming. Since there is essentially no continuity of audience, shutting down for a few hours seems to be the best route.
I know of many cases where a format change with the same owner has been preceded by a period of silence. Sort of "clear out the old listeners so they don't have a fit when the music changes". Nothing unusual there, either.
A whole new transmitter site requires a new construction permit and often many other kinds of permits such as zoning, EPA, etc. and new utility accounts and the like, as well as tens if not hundreds of thousands in transmitters, towers, buildings, etc.
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