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Pondering The UnKNWN....
- Thread starter Bongwater
- Start date
This is a curious case. The pros on this board usually say that call letters do not matter. In this case, apparently they do, at least to the folks running Sinclair and Lotus. Sinclair retained the rights to the KOMO calls but Lotus continues to use them, even months after the transaction. From Sinclair's point of view, there are pros and cons to allowing Lotus to use those calls and branding on the air. From Lotus' point of view, I see more pros than cons to keeping it KOMO. I suspect they are negotiating some sort of "leasing" of the KOMO calls and branding.
No, they arent... the AMs calls have changed, the FMs probably have they just havent made the switch on air yet.
Well, you probably know better then I but I cannot find any record of KNWN AM or FM anywhere on the internet. Every source I use still shows them as KOMO AM and FM. Maybe I need a better source?
google the FCC Call sign reservation desk, find the url and enter KNWN
Thank you. I just tried it. I see now that KNWN and KNWN-FM have indeed been reserved by Lotus. My question is, how does one know if those calls have actually been implemented? How much of a time window does a broadcaster get when they "reserve" call letters with the FCC? Would it make sense for Lotus to reserve those calls for the time being, while they negotiate with Sinclair over what they really want -- continued use of the KOMO AM and FM calls. If they can retain the KOMO calls then great, just cancel the KNWN reservations; if not, OK then, we'll use those new calls that we put in our back pocket. I've used that strategy when trying to get tables at nice restaurants, provided there are no penalties for cancelling reservations. Is there a steep penalty for cancelling FCC reservations?
They cant retain the KOMO calls, thats been made clear.. it was part of the sale that they had to change calls.. and there usually is a time frame when thats part of a sale that it has to be done by
It's a little more complex than you're making it out to be.
The sale contract to Lotus didn't include a provision for continued use of the calls... but it also didn't explicitly rule out the possibility of a separate licensing deal later on.
It's possible that's what's happening behind the scenes right now, which might be delaying the implementation of the requested KNWN calls.
Two other relevant facts: first, a number of FCC systems are technical messes right now. It's very likely data is not being automatically transferred from the callsign desk to the databases that power FCCdata and R-L and other search sites.
Second, callsigns aren't really a priority now for the FCC. The facility ID number and CDBS/LMS application numbers are the unique identifiers the staff uses. If a licensee delays implementing the on-air use of a newly requested callsign, the FCC isn't likely to care unless there's a complaint or the possibility of confusion. Nobody else seems to be clamoring to get "KNWN" for use elsewhere, and if there's an issue with the use of the KOMO calls on radio, it's the Sinclair lawyers who'd be in a position to object. It doesn't appear that they're doing so, which should be telling.
The sale contract to Lotus didn't include a provision for continued use of the calls... but it also didn't explicitly rule out the possibility of a separate licensing deal later on.
It's possible that's what's happening behind the scenes right now, which might be delaying the implementation of the requested KNWN calls.
Two other relevant facts: first, a number of FCC systems are technical messes right now. It's very likely data is not being automatically transferred from the callsign desk to the databases that power FCCdata and R-L and other search sites.
Second, callsigns aren't really a priority now for the FCC. The facility ID number and CDBS/LMS application numbers are the unique identifiers the staff uses. If a licensee delays implementing the on-air use of a newly requested callsign, the FCC isn't likely to care unless there's a complaint or the possibility of confusion. Nobody else seems to be clamoring to get "KNWN" for use elsewhere, and if there's an issue with the use of the KOMO calls on radio, it's the Sinclair lawyers who'd be in a position to object. It doesn't appear that they're doing so, which should be telling.
That's the key. If the deal depends on an ongoing close relationship (which it does) then it is likely that there is a great deal of flexibility in other areas to make the sale transfer a smooth and friendly process.
What's being forgotten is that Lotus is paying for a large part of the transaction with trade promotion on the radio stations, so it makes sense for the "old owners" to want the "new owners" to be very successful.
Calls matter if they are the identity of the station. "WLW" is critical to that station, but not so much if a station brands as "Z-100" or "The Bull" or some other name. In such cases, calls are just something that have to be emitted once an hour due to an old and possibly obsolete FCC rule.
Or they are simply having transferal organizational pains and delays that have prevented an immediate change. It's likely that the very friendly relationship between buyer and seller will allow for some considerable flexibility. Sort of "do your best, but keep it moving, please" attitude from the seller.
Worrying about a few days or even weeks for the transition seems to be nit picking.
Not only this, but I figured when the calls didn't change right away that the call change would coincide with the move out of the current studios. Does anyone know what the status of that is? My guess is they're still at their old location given that they're still running KOMO-TV audio at 11:00 P.M.
I'm of the belief that it's transitional / technical issues why the change hasn't occurred. This is a transition involving an ALL NEWS operation, so more complicated than moving and changing a music formatted station. Sinclair is probably giving Lotus more time to get things together.
That includes a new home to move the stations to. The deal they originally had for office/studio space on 5th Ave. fell through.
Or how's this for a new theory. KOMO, the call letters are clearly the possession of the TV station and Sinclair. But what about the trademark KO-MO? It's like Kiss or Bull or Warm...they are brands that have nothing to do with the call letters. So maybe the Lotus people who are clearly clever, said to Sinclair"...you go ahead an take the call letters." And quietly hung on to the branded name of KO-MO? I'm just sayin'...
I doubt they would do anything devious, as most of the purchase price is being paid in advertising on the stations Lotus has bought. That requires cooperation and coordination in what has to be a working partnership.
Again, it has just been a few weeks. I'm rather certain that any rough edges are being worked on with mutual cooperation.
Posted this evening on the World of Radio discussion board run by Glenn Hauser ...
FCC and CRTC Decisions and Applications
CALL CHANGES
1000 KOMO WA Seattle – Call change to KNWN will not happen (at least for now).
(NRC DX News January 25, 2022; published January 17)
FCC and CRTC Decisions and Applications
CALL CHANGES
1000 KOMO WA Seattle – Call change to KNWN will not happen (at least for now).
(NRC DX News January 25, 2022; published January 17)
In what context though? Does Glenn know something we dont know? Doubt it.. i wouldnt trust glenn.. he has a clear bias towards modern day media mostly...... the AM and FM already have reserved KNWN.. so either he does know something we dont, or hes just picking up on whats been posted by dxers locally who arent hearing a call letter change on air.
no shit, but there are several seattle area people i know who are fervent dxers of stuff like canada, australia etc that just happen to live in seattle. and theyre who glenn is probably seeing this news.. so it was used as a point of reference.. youre nitpicking
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