Update: The listing for (presumed) KFNC on the Griffin Media Brokers website has been removed.
Has a buyer been found? Or has Gow taken KFNC off the market?
Has a buyer been found? Or has Gow taken KFNC off the market?
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Someone recently told me that word at the sage offices was that they were looking into launching a Regional Mexican station to partner up with 105.3 incase a buyer was not found soon .. Not sure how true that could be.
Top Sbs executives will be in Houston starting this week.. and I mean From the LA office and Nyc I think we will see things move quickly in September.
And this news in today: https://www.futurehouston.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/CEOnewsrelease-8.6-Final.pdf
Should be an interesting few months ahead. Maybe new Spanish language formats on both 92.1 and 97.5?
Had figured that 97.5 would likely wind up with some kind of Spanish language format, as the signal favors the heavily Hispanic east end of the metro. Would be mildly surprised if it remained a commercial operation instead of becoming a religious non-comm.
Should be an interesting few months ahead. Maybe new Spanish language formats on both 92.1 and 97.5?
it would be unfortunate if we have more non commercial stations in the commercial section of the band. Too many already.
Actually I'd prefer more non-comms because listeners become accustomed to 'paying' for radio and because ad revenue is split among fewer stations.
Thus, it might be possible for a nice format to make it where commercial radio won't touch it. The remaining commercial stations have more money to work with. More income means more jobs and what some perceive as better stations.
By the way, the argument that a computer in a closet is driving listeners away from radio does not hold water. They're driven away to what, a personal jukebox or an online station that is a computer in a closet? No difference either option.
Thus, it might be possible for a nice format to make it where commercial radio won't touch it. The remaining commercial stations have more money to work with. More income means more jobs and what some perceive as better stations.
By the way, the argument that a computer in a closet is driving listeners away from radio does not hold water. They're driven away to what, a personal jukebox or an online station that is a computer in a closet? No difference either option.
Eventually even non-commercial FM radio listeners will make the transition to over-the-top content. Unless the FM band is reinvented, terrestrial radio as we know it will become no more relevant than shortwave is today. But of course, this may take a generation or two more to unravel.
It would make more sense to dump all the local shows (which are expensive) and fill in airtime with ESPN's nationally syndicated shows. Joining the oversaturated regional mexican thunderdome seems like a mistake. There will soon be four full time regional mexican stations fighting for less shares.
It would be cheaper, but Gow would lose most of the local direct advertisers, whose spots are read by the local talent, both live and recorded. All the national spots I hear are the typical cheesy ads for easy loans, debt and tax relief, nutrition and health supplements, etc. It still would be a pointless money loser.
I’m curious what they’d do to differentiate their RM format from the various competitors. Of course we can ask the same question about the upcoming SBS effort on 92.1…Maybe the RM chatter is a misdirect.
Sure would love to hear some confirmation that KFNC has been taken off the market in favor of the Power 105.3 staff launching a second format on 97.5. Lance Venta, are you hearing anything?
And following up on my own post: would there be anything to the listing below I found on the “radio4sale” site? Description would fit KFNC, and I assume the “full market HD lease” would be KBXX HD-2. I recall a poster saying that some of these sales sites are somewhat bogus, so is there anything we can read into this one? First time I’ve seen a supposed asking price. Apparently recent since it mentions the HD feed.
| HOUSTON, TEXAS This excellent FM Metro signal comes with a full market HD lease. IF this were a full-power FM the price would be $6 million. As an FM Metro signal--covering 2 million people in the 60dbu--the Stick Value should be $2 million. However, we are offering this opportunity for just $950,000. |
This listing has been up for a while, it's not new.
yup just a handful of stations in Houston have a HD
The “HD lease” with KBXX is a recent development, so the listing has been revised or updated. The $950k asking price is far below what had been hinted at this past February when news of the station going on the market was revealed in this forum. Gow Media must be getting desperate to unload 97.5.
No mention of the 92.5 translators in this listing; sale of those to Gow is in limbo at the FCC.
There are 17 commercial FMs running HD in the Houston market, most of which have additional subchannels. KFNC is the only “full power” station leasing an HD subchannel on another signal that is not co-owned.
Leasing hds just a hand full
Honestly, this sounds like a translator owner trying to get rid of their property. 106.1? 104.5? 95.1? 94.1? 105.3?
But looking at the 60 dBu of KFNC it appears it would cover two million people.
Edit to add: An HD feed associated with a translator would be leased by the programming source, not the translator owner, so I don’t see how that could be part of a deal.
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Explain to me like I'm 5 how you jump from David Gow getting a gig chairing a non-profit to his stations changing format or selling?
Because I don't see the connection.
very simple i have the paperwork and asking price that Gow is seeking for 97.5,92.5 and it includes 1560 this is not a I think or a maybe this is a i have the offer coming straight from the broker trying to sell these stations asap on behalf of Gow Media.
The following quote was the dead give away; "IF this were a full-power FM". Add to that the fact that it says it comes with an HD subchannel that would be irrelevant to a "full power" FM. And if Gow is truly leaving radio, then why sell each station individually? I also doubt KFNC is going to go for less than a million when Gow just purchased 92.5 for $1.1 Million.
This has to be someone other than Gow trying to unload their translator for a cool $1 million.
It's called a sublease. And if the terms are favorable, then this would be the perfect situation for anyone wanting to broadcast on Day 1.
David Gow’s new gig is the President and CEO of The Center for Houston’s Future, which is a full time job. He remains the Chair of Gow Media, which would now be a side job, as with many board chairs.
As for the speculation of a sale of Gow’s Radio properties, please read all of this thread, plus the earlier “Gow decides to sell all stations” thread.
Would love to be a fly on the wall at 5353 Alabama and find out what’s really going on there.
We had someone who appears to be an insider at Gow Media pretty much confirm the rumors:
Still think a format change is in the works for 97.5, whether through a sale or LMA.