WBSR 1450 & W266AL Pensacola sold

[passtheword]

I saw an article this morning about WBSR-AM 1450 and its FM translator W266AL at 101.1 in Pensacola being sold to Miracle radio, which owns WPNN 790 and the FM translator at 103.7 FM. Miracle Radio began an LMA on October 1 according to the article and is no longer simulcasting WOWB "WOW 90.9" in Pensacola. This seems to be the case, as I was listening to the WOWB stream this morning and there is no longer any mention of AM 1450 or FM 101.1; the hourly station ID is given as "WOWB, Brewton", with no additional mention of other stations.

Does anyone know what, if anything, WBSR and 101.1 FM in Pensacola are now airing? A simulcast of talk WPNN? Or are both stations off the air? I'm not in or near Pensacola, and there is no online stream associated with WBSR.

Info on the sale-->https://radioinsight.com/headlines/199281/station-sales-week-of-10-9 (see story #7 under "Station Sales")

 

[tomservo]

I'm trying to figure that out as well. Even though I'm only about 35 miles from the TX site, 1450 is impossible to hear here, even with my amplified loop outside. My travels this week will not take me anywhere near Florida, so I'm hoping someone close can clue us in.

 

[passtheword]

I used to be able to receive WBSR years ago when vacationing in Gulf Shores (1450 was programming a soft adult contemporary format back then). The signal was pretty weak most of the time, however.

 

[Poledo]

Sorry for the late reply... both 1450 and 101.1 are off the air. I don’t know anything else.

 

[tomservo]

Sorry for the late reply... both 1450 and 101.1 are off the air. I don’t know anything else.

Thanks for the update. That does explain a quirk I noticed while trying to pick them up earlier. As I rotated my loop outside, the only time I saw a carrier on 1450 is when it was "pointed" to the northwest. I'm guessing that was WCJU in Columbia, Mississippi. When aimed towards Pensacola it was nothing at all.

 

[Groove1670]

Sale price $70K

 

[Poledo]

The tower land is worth a minimum of $500k.

I’m sure the Schroeder family is thrilled to finally own the WBSR call letters.

 

[tomservo]

So, you think they'll try to sell off the property? I don't recall that part of Pensacola exactly being in high demand for new building, especially with corona upending things all over.

Unlike some other AMs that built out in the boonies (WMAL, WBBM) where suburban growth took over and made the land more valuable, I think this part of Pensacola was developed long ago. Apparently it was already populated there when the station was put on the air in the 40's. Only difference is back then it was O Street and not Pace Blvd.

 

[Poledo]

Yeah, that part of town is going through a building boom. Tear down the tower and that land is worth at least $500k. The studio building and parking lot as an outparcel should be worth an additional $350k.

I think a 0 was left off the sales price.

 

[davideduardo]

Yeah, that part of town is going through a building boom. Tear down the tower and that land is worth at least $500k. The studio building and parking lot as an outparcel should be worth an additional $350k.

I think a 0 was left off the sales price.

Is the building the original WBSR one constructed by Mooney in 1968? If so, it was a Butler pre-constructed frame put on a foundation. The structure will last a long time, but the walls and roof depend on what the local contractor assembled with.

 

[Groove1670]

Is the building the original WBSR one constructed by Mooney in 1968? If so, it was a Butler pre-constructed frame put on a foundation. The structure will last a long time, but the walls and roof depend on what the local contractor assembled with.

It is the original building. From a business perspective diplexing is in the future. There is probably a timetable to vacate the building and tower.