Could the End be near for WWCD ?

[gabigley1]

Yes, and I heard Gary burned to many bridges in Columbus.

 

[Rusty Muck]

What do you make of this message from General Manager Randy Malloy?

A message from General Manager Randy Malloy:

The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated - Mark Twain <snip> I am Randy Malloy and I approve this message

That they seem to have been able to work out a solution to their problem, or got a judge to issue an injunction preventing any movement pending some conditions. I wish them the best, and hope this time, they achieved a longer term solution. Maybe they were able to meet the purchase price Salem offered, so hopefully, they can become a real radio station again!

That or he's trying to put a brave face in what's possibly a bad situation. It isn't he who holds WWCD's ultimate fate, it's the WHIZ Media Group.

It's possible that WWCD could continue in a sense by going internet-only, should they lose the 102.5 facility to a Salem LMA/purchase...

... oh, wait.

Oops.

My bad.

 

[Rusty Muck]

I was thinking of posting the new Talk 1460 streaming link on infamous, "Is WVKO in Trouble" thread but that would have P.O. a few people. They wouldn't have wanted that thread to be revived for just posting the link to the new Talk 1460 streaming audio.

Since WVKO-AM will be available to LMA in a few weeks time, maybe Gary Richards would be interested in LMAing WVKO-AM again?

The heck with that! How does a "CD101 on AM 1580" sound?

 

[xmusicmatt]

I was thinking of posting the new Talk 1460 streaming link on infamous, "Is WVKO in Trouble" thread but that would have P.O. a few people. They wouldn't have wanted that thread to be revived for just posting the link to the new Talk 1460 streaming audio.

Since WVKO-AM will be available to LMA in a few weeks time, maybe Gary Richards would be interested in LMAing WVKO-AM again?

The heck with that! How does a "CD101 on AM 1580" sound?

I suggested that back on Page 8

http://boards.radio-info.com/smf/index.php?topic=200097.msg1786851#msg1786851

 

[helloagain]

I was thinking of posting the new Talk 1460 streaming link on infamous, "Is WVKO in Trouble" thread but that would have P.O. a few people. They wouldn't have wanted that thread to be revived for just posting the link to the new Talk 1460 streaming audio.

Since WVKO-AM will be available to LMA in a few weeks time, maybe Gary Richards would be interested in LMAing WVKO-AM again?

What is the stream? Everything Icheck out for WAMQ in Painesville says it is a Gospel station.

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

Can't wait to see the article in the Columbus Dispatch! They say they have a couple of reporters working on the story.

Been a week now and I don't think they've had anything.  (The internet makes it so easy to check for such things that it's almost criminal.   )   I was wondering if maybe your contact was talking about the story that jakej just posted from the Other Paper, but I don't think the Dispatch has taken over the OP's operations yet.

The Other Paper still has its management in place but not sure if the Dispatch owns The Other Paper.

Yesterday I saw an offbeat article in the Dispatch with The Other Paper logo in it, along with a message to pick up the OP at 900 locations.  So this suggests the sale has in fact gone through, even though you'd never know it by looking at the OP's "About" or "Contact Us" on their website.  As you said, the management looks unchanged.  Somehow I have to think the stories razzing the Dispatch or the Wolfes will disappear, though.

The OP's WWCD story is still a featured link on their website.

Wonder if the Dispatch's Columbus Alive will stay alive?  There isn't much "alternative" about the local "alternative" papers any more, at least as ownership goes.

 

[OhioMediaWatch]

I was thinking of posting the new Talk 1460 streaming link on infamous, "Is WVKO in Trouble" thread but that would have P.O. a few people. They wouldn't have wanted that thread to be revived for just posting the link to the new Talk 1460 streaming audio.

Since WVKO-AM will be available to LMA in a few weeks time, maybe Gary Richards would be interested in LMAing WVKO-AM again?

What is the stream? Everything Icheck out for WAMQ in Painesville says it is a Gospel station.

http://talk1460.com

(And it's not WAMQ, it's WABQ. It was indeed a gospel station until Gary started LMAing it a while back.)

 

[gabigley1]

The Other Paper Updaed the story on CD101 @ 102.5 today here:

CD101 'not going anywhere'

Station will remain at 102.5 under new ownership

http://www.theotherpaper.com/news/article_3d97d536-1149-11e1-add5-001cc4c03286.html

So, will this really keep Salem from changing the format on 102.5 to Consertive Talk?

 

[Allfirdup]

The Other Paper Updaed the story on CD101 @ 102.5 today here:

CD101 'not going anywhere'

Station will remain at 102.5 under new ownership

http://www.theotherpaper.com/news/article_3d97d536-1149-11e1-add5-001cc4c03286.html

So, will this really keep Salem from changing the format on 102.5 to Consertive Talk?

that is what the article says. the only ownership change is within WWCD itself. there is no mention of Salem or anyone else buying the license.

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

The Other Paper Updaed the story on CD101 @ 102.5 today here:

CD101 'not going anywhere'

Station will remain at 102.5 under new ownership

http://www.theotherpaper.com/news/article_3d97d536-1149-11e1-add5-001cc4c03286.html

So, will this really keep Salem from changing the format on 102.5 to Consertive Talk?

that is what the article says. the only ownership change is within WWCD itself. there is no mention of Salem or anyone else buying the license. 

If Malloy really wants to put the uncertainty to rest once and for all, he needs to get the key entity -- the licensee -- to publicly corroborate his "here to stay" claims.  Is there some reason Southeastern doesn't want to talk?

 

[borderblaster]

That change in ownership of the LMA partner could void the LMA if Salem does indeed take over.

 

[xmusicmatt]

If Malloy really wants to put the uncertainty to rest once and for all, he needs to get the key entity -- the licensee -- to publicly corroborate his "here to stay" claims. Is there some reason Southeastern doesn't want to talk?

The thing is .. If Malloy wants to stay on 102.5 for good he should pony up enough cash to purchase the license from South Eastern.... Otherwise it's going to always be a gamble as SE can sell at any minute and a sale does not mean that WWCD LTD has rights to 102.5 at that point...

Reading his article - between the lines.. he mentions concerts etc.. you can still have those with out an FM License.. an internet station can do such promotion too... Nothing concrete he says means "we'll always be on FM 102.5"

In fact it is kinda curious now that it now comes out that Fun With Radio.. wants out of CD101... they are the ones who previously owned 101.1 Mhz before selling to tOSU....

I suspect we've not heard the "end" of this story yet

My recomendation to WWCD LTD.... Fire back up that webstream, you'll get back your loyal fans who are upset that you stopped.. and will help protect any future you have as a station if South Eastern does suddently sell the station your 'leasing'

I have nothing against CD101... My concern though is they let go of their license and are now at the mercy of another company to continue their format... on a license they don't own. Seems like gambling to me.

 

[gabigley1]

I suspect we've not heard the "end" of this story yet

My recomendation to WWCD LTD.... Fire back up that webstream, you'll get back your loyal fans who are upset that you stopped.. and will help protect any future you have as a station if South Eastern does suddently sell the station your 'leasing'

I have nothing against CD101... My concern though is they let go of their license and are now at the mercy of another company to continue their format... on a license they don't own. Seems like gambling to me.

Maybe just maybe South Eastern will be willing to talk to the media afterall the final contracts are signed with the new WWCD LTD. Then the story
may be clearer. Also, I wonder if WWCD LTD would be willing to let the general public and/or the media view their new LMA after it is signed.

 

[Snat]

Are LMA contracts not part of FCC paperwork, or at least subject to FOI requests? Considering all the other documents and records that go into an FCC public file, it's kind of hard to accept that such a key component of a station's operation could be kept in the dark.

 

[del_griffith]

That change in ownership of the LMA partner could void the LMA if Salem does indeed take over.

The price tag on this station is, well pricey.

Salem typically is a bottom fisher.

Put 1 + 1 together.

 

[gabigley1]

That said, Salem is just interested in LMAing the frequency.

The purchase price may also be the reason why WWCD LTD is not interested in purchasing the station(102.5).
Any idea how much South Eastern wants for the the license station? I would guess around 7-8 million. Then I hear there is not
much you get for that price. Probably why no good offers to purchase the station(102.5) as of yet.

 

[knowbetter]

Are LMA contracts not part of FCC paperwork, or at least subject to FOI requests? Considering all the other documents and records that go into an FCC public file, it's kind of hard to accept that such a key component of a station's operation could be kept in the dark.

Bottom Line is, they can't...The LMA agreement is considered a Time Brokerage agreement, that must be filed in the Public File. That information is available to members of the general public, on request

From the Public and Broadcasting: on what must be in a Public File.


List of Contracts Required to be Filed with the FCC. Stations have to keep either a
copy of all the contracts that they have to file with us, or an up-to-date list identifying all
such contracts. If the station keeps a list and you ask to see copies of the actual contracts,
the station must give them to you within seven days

I have never heard of this 7 day rule before, and I don't believe the LMA contract is a specific contract that has to be specifically filed with the commission. It does have to be made available to an inspector on request, and is open to reasonable inspection by the public. By reasonable, I know that a station can block out the financial numbers inside of the contract, that is available for public inspection, but not the wording of the contract, as that is public information. I just think that nobody seriously has gone down and asked for the information. The station would be subject to a severe forfeiture if they refused, my gut is that CD101's management might try and refuse to show the information, and maybe people have enough pity on them not to cause them the "extra trouble"

Radio Time Brokerage Agreements. A time brokerage agreement is a type of contract
that generally involves a station's sale of discrete blocks of airtime to a broker, who then
supplies the programming to fill that time and sells the commercial spot announcements to
support the programming. Commercial radio stations must keep a copy of every
agreement involving: (1) time brokerage of that station; or (2) time brokerage by any
other station owned by the same licensee.

 

[knowbetter]

If Malloy really wants to put the uncertainty to rest once and for all, he needs to get the key entity -- the licensee -- to publicly corroborate his "here to stay" claims. Is there some reason Southeastern doesn't want to talk?

The thing is .. If Malloy wants to stay on 102.5 for good he should pony up enough cash to purchase the license from South Eastern.... Otherwise it's going to always be a gamble as SE can sell at any minute and a sale does not mean that WWCD LTD has rights to 102.5 at that point...

Reading his article - between the lines.. he mentions concerts etc.. you can still have those with out an FM License.. an internet station can do such promotion too... Nothing concrete he says means "we'll always be on FM 102.5"

from, the other paper..

The big change at the office? Malloy had taken over as the majority owner of the station under the umbrella of his new company, WWCD Ltd. That shift in ownership required drafting new documents and scrubbing Fun With Radio, the former ownership entity, from all of the station's contracts and materials.

None of this has anything to do with the Commission, and are simply local business transactions...It's NOT radio till you file with them. Radio Licenses cannot be transferred with encumbrances...period. The holder of teh license can do anything they want with in, in the long run!

Sorry Randy, until you get another license, you have a nice content production company business, but not a radio station.

 

[knowbetter]

That said, Salem is just interested in LMAing the frequency.

The purchase price may also be the reason why WWCD LTD is not interested in purchasing the station(102.5).
Any idea how much South Eastern wants for the the license station? I would guess around 7-8 million. Then I hear there is not
much you get for that price. Probably why no good offers to purchase the station(102.5) as of yet.

Any of this might be true. My suspicion is that CD101 threatened to sue the "living expletive" out of Litton. It's what I would have done. The whole process most likely became too expensive for Zanesville, and could definitely slow down their license renewal, so, why take that chance. But this likely is a "limited time" solution, as the station is not likely to have to renew the LMA when it expires.

Which brings us to the new entity...

WWCD, Ltd will have to draft new business agreements, LMA, et all, One can only assume that in the negotiations, they were able to secure those rights....

Hopefully this time they can get it right ....

They need to have the first purchase right, and right of first refusal, and continuation, although hopefully they managed to simply purchase the radio station...

if not, any and all the conversations are moot

 

[KFodor]

time will tell! & PS, wonder what Randy considers a negative comment?

Well, he also posted a virtually identical "we're here to stay" message to a thread on the Columbus Underground Board that had been discussing the possible demise of WWCD. While most posts to that thread were supportive, many criticized the station for being too musically conservative/repetitive, and some others were critical of the fact that the station didn't stream, the fact that they sold their broadcast license, etc. Maybe the "negative comments" remark was directed more at that thread?

Regardless, watching this drama unfold is entertaining!

Here's a link to the CU thread:

http://www.columbusunderground.com/...t-alt-rocker-cd101-to-christian-talk-or-music

Excuse me, but I can't help laughing out loud at someone saying CD101 is "too repetitive"...