Fred, it just occurred to me (a week later) that you might be thinking of the new replacement translator service that the FCC rolled out with the digital conversion. The translator would be on a different RF channel, but it could not extend the coverage of the station; it's meant as a fill-in for areas with a weak or non-existent signal within the original contour of the station. A replacement translator falls under the same license as the primary station, so it inherits the primary station's call letters, and if a primary station with replacement translators is sold, all replacement translators go with the primary; they cannot be separated from the primary station.
If the translator is on a separate license, however, then it can extend the primary station's coverage - and usually does.
If the translator is on a separate license, however, then it can extend the primary station's coverage - and usually does.