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The future of 95.9 The Fish

R

Rollo-Smokes

With Salem Media Group getting out of the music radio business–selling their remaining full-power CCM stations to the evil empire known as EMF–what does this mean for their Columbus "Fish" outlet, heard on translator W240CX and fed from 98.9 The Answer's (WTOH) HD2?

Salem's other central Ohio outlet, WRFD (880 AM) already has an FM translator at 104.5, so they're covered.

EMF is slated to take over the Salem music stations via LMA on Feb. 1, so there's one month to see what happens.
 
Well from what I hear "The Fish" in Columbus while a not a part of the Salem sale will be history soon as EMF takes over their CCM properties. The programming for 95.9 mostly (if not fully) originates out of The Fish station in Atlanta and my understanding is Salem's also ending their syndicated "Today's Christian Music" 24/7 Network format with this exit of the Christian AC market.

The question is - what do they do with 95.9? They could keep it 'hot' by simulcasting WRFD or WTOH in the meantime or do they sell it? Could someone like NABCO be interested in 95.9? They could feed it via a sub channel of WJKR HD like they do for "Star 94.1" and add another station to their portfolio?

Or does Salem hold onto it and put some other format there? Given we already have BOTH preaching/teaching "AM 880 WRFD/104.5" and Talk "98.9 The Answer" I am not sure what Salem would put there.
 
Would it make more sense for Salem to hold onto 95.9 and move WRFD there. Then unload the more challenged 104.5 signal, that would at least give them better coverage of Columbus for WRFD. This could still be a good fit for 95.5, as 104.5 covers Central Columbus where 95.5 has always had issues.
 
I would still prefer them being on 95.9, just because it would only be two spots away, but if they were on 104.5 instead...well, beggers can't be choosers lol
 
Quick question, I know this is not going to happen by the way, but is it feasible to put a booster station on the same signal right in the middle of where the problem area is? I've seen where a station will put a booster on the same dial position, and I've wondered why that wasn't ever tried in Columbus. I assume it's a different scenario and that most booster stations are for mountainous areas, and that's why you don't see them in Ohio.
 
william#1 said:
My dream scenario would be for Urban One to buy it, and simulcast magic 95.5 to get rid of the coverage gaps.
Click to expand...
Urban One doesn't have to buy it. EMF owns the 106.1 Solon translator (eastern suburb of Cleveland) and iHeart programs it as a relay for WAKS-HD2 through a larger group-wide agreement between the two chains.
 
Allfirdup said:
Would it make more sense for Salem to hold onto 95.9 and move WRFD there. Then unload the more challenged 104.5 signal, that would at least give them better coverage of Columbus for WRFD. This could still be a good fit for 95.5, as 104.5 covers Central Columbus where 95.5 has always had issues.
Click to expand...

I didn't know 104.5 was that challenged compared to 95.9. But looking at things on paper while 104.5 has more power (250 watts) it has a reduced pattern due to 104.5 Lancaster. While 95.9 is only 99 watts it does not have the same contour limitations as 104.5 and is higher on the Channel 6 tower. So I can see where they could possibly want 95.9 for WRFD more then 104.5
 
Nathan Obral said:
Urban One doesn't have to buy it. EMF owns the 106.1 Solon translator (eastern suburb of Cleveland) and iHeart programs it as a relay for WAKS-HD2 through a larger group-wide agreement between the two chains.
Click to expand...
Although iHeart programming was on EMF owned W291BV (106.1 - Solon) for many years, it was finally sold to iHeart a while back.
 
104.5 is so directional it isn't that great.

95.9 isn't amazing either with only 99 watts, but it is 150 ft higher up on the tower and non-directional and doesn't have to compete with WQKT.

I would pick 95.9 over 104.5, but it might be close enough they decide it is a wash and not worth the marketing effort and loss of habit.

It may be possible to reconfigure one and move it to the northside of Franklin County to provide more complete coverage to WRFD and provide service on FM in Delaware County too, I kind of doubt that will happen though.

My guess is it is probably being shopped around right now. What is the going rate for a translator in Columbus?
 
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