Anyone know what the plans are for WJMF-LP, aka 87.7 The Bridge?

[gor88]

Anyone know what the plans are for WJMF-LP, aka 87.7 The Bridge?

As some of you are aware, WJMF-LP is actually a low power ANALOG Channel 6 TV station. It is only sending out an analog audio carrier and no analog or digital video carrier. This makes it a "Franken-FM" station.

Since all low power TV stations still broadcasting in analog are required to cease all analog broadcasts by 7/13/2021, does anyone know what the fate of this station will be? They have a Construction Permit and Application to move the tower from South Jackson to East Central Jackson somewhere near The District at Eastover I think. However, there has been no activity on the CP and APP for a few years now.

I would think that the owner might consider applying for a digital displacement to RF10 at 3kw (the max allowed for a LP digital VHF station) and consider working with the major stations to make that our experimental ATSC 3.0 station. Since WMAB gave up RF 10 back on 7/3/2020 and no other full power or low power station in the entire state uses RF10, seems that this might be a possibility.

 

[rfburns]

They only care about the analog audio. They may be banking on the FCC moving the "drop dead" date again. If not, it will probably go away.

 

[Groove1670]

They only care about the analog audio. They may be banking on the FCC moving the "drop dead" date again. If not, it will probably go away.

There is a coalition of Franken Stations (including ME FM in Chicago) that have lawyer up and could keep this going for awhile. Many of these stations are in major markets. They can continue to file an appeal, reach a compromise, or until the FCC says enough. This is not a top priority at the commission and could go on for awhile.

 

[davideduardo]

There is a coalition of Franken Stations (including ME FM in Chicago) that have lawyer up and could keep this going for awhile. Many of these stations are in major markets. They can continue to file an appeal, reach a compromise, or until the FCC says enough. This is not a top priority at the commission and could go on for awhile.

I'd love to hear Scot Fybush's take on this as to whether they can delay this for long and, perhaps, introduce rule-making to perpetuate the use of that kind of facility.

 

[fybush]

I'd love to hear Scot Fybush's take on this as to whether they can delay this for long and, perhaps, introduce rule-making to perpetuate the use of that kind of facility.

It's a political issue, not a technical one. There's no line of stakeholders waiting breathlessly to make use of 87 MHz spectrum when/if the FrankenFMs are forced off the air. (And no, there's no practical reality in which 82-88 MHz is released for analog FM expansion or AM migration.) It's entirely a political question as to whether the current handful of FrankenFMs are allowed to keep doing what they're doing indefinitely or whether they're silenced.

And it's a new and unsettled political world now at the FCC. Without even knowing who the chair will be the next time the deadline hits, it's impossible to do anything more than guess as to what the outcome will be.

 

[davideduardo]

And it's a new and unsettled political world now at the FCC. Without even knowing who the chair will be the next time the deadline hits, it's impossible to do anything more than guess as to what the outcome will be.

And if Rosenworcel is named permanently, how might you see it? And how do you see the possibility of newspaper and electronic media going in this current environment... I wonder if this will cause The Supremes to see this in a different way.

 

[Groove1670]

It's a political issue, not a technical one. There's no line of stakeholders waiting breathlessly to make use of 87 MHz spectrum when/if the FrankenFMs are forced off the air. (And no, there's no practical reality in which 82-88 MHz is released for analog FM expansion or AM migration.) It's entirely a political question as to whether the current handful of FrankenFMs are allowed to keep doing what they're doing indefinitely or whether they're silenced.

And it's a new and unsettled political world now at the FCC. Without even knowing who the chair will be the next time the deadline hits, it's impossible to do anything more than guess as to what the outcome will be.

and it depends on what side the NAB, I Heart, Beasley, and Cumulus is on. If they oppose it that could be a issue. The FCC could also open a order for comments to see what filers think about this issue.

 

[gor88]

There are good points raised. However, as it stands now, analog services are not allowed to operate past 7/13/2021 @ 11:59pm local time. Either the FCC has to make an allowance for the analog audio carrier to remain as a supplementary service on low power channel 6 stations or the courts have to issue an injunction to allow the same after this date.

Comments on Franken FMs were actually requested over a year ago, yet the FCC hasn't rushed to make a decision on Franken FMs. Google "fcc franken fm comments" for more information.

Granted the incoming administration could allow the analog audio carrier to continue. However, they might go totally against Franken FMs, given that National Public Radio (NPR) is against them and PBS/NPR typically hold favor with many Democrats.

In any case, it seems that the FCC really needs to rule on this soon, given the hard deadline coming up.

 

[fybush]

And if Rosenworcel is named permanently, how might you see it? And how do you see the possibility of newspaper and electronic media going in this current environment... I wonder if this will cause The Supremes to see this in a different way.

Broadcast issues of any kind appear to be very low on Rosenworcel's priority list. She's been much more focused on internet/broadband issues.

If I had to put 20 bucks of my own money on the line, I'd guess that we get to July and the FCC hasn't taken any action on this issue, which would force the FrankenFMs to sign off. I know of several that are actively making other plans to find new homes for their programming.

 

[CTListener]

Broadcast issues of any kind appear to be very low on Rosenworcel's priority list. She's been much more focused on internet/broadband issues.

If I had to put 20 bucks of my own money on the line, I'd guess that we get to July and the FCC hasn't taken any action on this issue, which would force the FrankenFMs to sign off. I know of several that are actively making other plans to find new homes for their programming.

The internet? That would break their business model completely -- exorbitant royalty fees, in-market listeners finding other FMs to listen to instead of migrating to a streaming site, advertisers following the listeners out the door. These Franken-FM owners are going to be losing serious money if forced to shut down; I don't know if any of them can last more than a year without in market over-the-air coverage, I'm not surprised that they're lawyering up; this is life or death for the businesses they've invested in.

 

[gor88]

Broadcast issues of any kind appear to be very low on Rosenworcel's priority list. She's been much more focused on internet/broadband issues.

If I had to put 20 bucks of my own money on the line, I'd guess that we get to July and the FCC hasn't taken any action on this issue, which would force the FrankenFMs to sign off. I know of several that are actively making other plans to find new homes for their programming.

I agree with this assessment. I think the FCC makes no ruling and the Franken FMs go off air by 7/14.

 

[Jonathan]

I understand the spectrum is going to be/already has been reallocated but I simply don't see what harm there is in allowing these stations to continue using their frequencies. If the FCC's interest is really that of what's best for the public (LOL), then allow the stations to stay on and do what they will with the rest of the spectrum.

 

[CTListener]

I understand the spectrum is going to be/already has been reallocated but I simply don't see what harm there is in allowing these stations to continue using their frequencies. If the FCC's interest is really that of what's best for the public (LOL), then allow the stations to stay on and do what they will with the rest of the spectrum.

The FCC created the framework for LPTV stations with the idea that those stations would be in the public interest by providing television programming -- audio and video -- of interest to local viewers, not offering more radio on a frequency that radio broadcast licenses were not available for. Why would you expect the FCC to permit a use that only exists through a loophole in previously existing regulations? FCC commissioners don't appreciate being hoodwinked, surely.

 

[Gearshift Gary]

Anyone know what the plans are for WJMF-LP, aka 87.7 The Bridge?

As some of you are aware, WJMF-LP is actually a low power ANALOG Channel 6 TV station. It is only sending out an analog audio carrier and no analog or digital video carrier. This makes it a "Franken-FM" station.

Since all low power TV stations still broadcasting in analog are required to cease all analog broadcasts by 7/13/2021, does anyone know what the fate of this station will be? They have a Construction Permit and Application to move the tower from South Jackson to East Central Jackson somewhere near The District at Eastover I think. However, there has been no activity on the CP and APP for a few years now.

I would think that the owner might consider applying for a digital displacement to RF10 at 3kw (the max allowed for a LP digital VHF station) and consider working with the major stations to make that our experimental ATSC 3.0 station. Since WMAB gave up RF 10 back on 7/3/2020 and no other full power or low power station in the entire state uses RF10, seems that this might be a possibility.

If you really want to know, why don't you call the owner and ask him? Or post your phone number and I will pass it to him.

 

[gor88]

I figure that the Raineys are more focused on handling the relocation of the WJMF-LP antenna to the tower site of their FM translator, W232DD 94.3 (rebroadcasts WZQK 1240AM) located off Highway 80 just a mile of so east of Ellis Ave. This appears to be due to the expiration of tower space lease at the current location. The antenna will be 12 meters lower on that tower than W232DD's antenna. Although the original STA filed on 2/1 indicates an ERP of 0.325kw, the filing today indicates that they intend to return to the low power VHF max of 3kw.

Besides that, I would think they would keep plans close to the vest as they can to keep advertisers of 87.7 The Bridge until the analog audio carrier has to be shut down per the 7/13 deadline.

I just wanted to spark discussion on what is certainly the main story this year regarding low power tv stations. WJMF-LP is one of only 8 LPA (low power analog TV) stations left in Mississippi. I believe it is the only one of the eight that hasn't yet applied for a digital displacement allotment.

 

[gor88]

I just wanted to spark discussion on what is certainly the main story this year regarding low power tv stations. WJMF-LP is one of only 8 LPA (low power analog TV) stations left in Mississippi. I believe it is the only one of the eight that hasn't yet applied for a digital displacement allotment.

Actually, I discovered that W42DD in Meridian is the other LPA in MS without a digital displacement. In addition, LPX (low power analog tv translator) W30CC (with its CP W06DD) in Natchez also has no digital displacement. The status of the latter is in doubt, as they wanted to move back to 30, since they never built out analog 6. They aren't allowed to move back, since it causes interference with WLBT.

 

[Gearshift Gary]

gor88 said..."I would think they would keep plans close to the vest as they can to keep advertisers of 87.7"....
There are advertisers? I wasn't aware.

 

[kfbkfb]

Back in the late 70s/early 80s, when NBC (WOC ch.6) ran the movie Earthquake, I set up a portable FM radio w/earphone jack connected to my Stereo system w/smaller Advent speakers, the rumble was easily audible.

Do the Franken-FM listeners care that the audio (received on a regular FM radio) is mono?


Kirk Bayne

 

[gor88]

gor88 said..."I would think they would keep plans close to the vest as they can to keep advertisers of 87.7"....
There are advertisers? I wasn't aware.

I have been listening to The Bridge this afternoon online and just heard both a Wendy's and a C Spire advertisement at 3:50pm. Granted the ad block was only these two ads, a PSA and a plug for the Word of Life service to air tomorrow, which is a much shorter ad break than most of the other stations.

Given that the station is airing a classic hits format, that would usually indicate a commercial station, as opposed to those run by MS Public Broadcasting, schools/colleges/universities, religious organizations, etc. I figured that there had to be at least a few ads running to pay the bills for copyright royalties, equipment maintenance, electricity, etc.

I'm not against this format. If I listen to terrestrial radio, I prefer this station over the other music stations in Jackson if I can receive it clearly.

 

[Gearshift Gary]

gor88 said..."I'm not against this format. If I listen to terrestrial radio, I prefer this station over the other music stations in Jackson if I can receive it clearly.".....
Thank you, I programmed 100% of that music until it has been butchered up. Still, it has about 95% of the original music.
About those ads you heard, they are national accounts acquired for the Jackson Prep and Friday night ball game show and just run year around to have something to break up all of the P.S.A.'s.
By the way, I talked to the owner about your original question, as the question came up about a year ago. I will not discuss his business in an open forum.