Fort Wayne Classical Outlet To Be Sold

[raFessenden]

SOURCE: http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090123/BIZ/301239998

NIPR to sell 3 classical FM stations

Staff, news services

Northeast Indiana Public Radio’s board of trustees has put the organization’s three classical music stations up for sale, the president and general manager said Thursday.

The organization plans to sell WBNI-FM – 94.1 [Roanoke-FW], WCKZ-FM – 91.3 [Orland] and W204BF-FM – 88.7 [Ft. Wayne], Joan Brown said.

NIPR decided it needed to devote its financial resources elsewhere, considering the recession and the station’s capital campaign raised less money than expected, Brown said. The analog stations’ coverage and sound quality also didn’t meet the expectations of classical music fans, she said.

The organization’s 10 full-time employees and its part-time workers and volunteers will not be affected by the sale, Brown said.

NIPR will continue to broadcast classical music until a buyer is found, Brown said. NIPR plans to keep playing classical music on WBOI-FM 89.1 HD-2 stream, which is available on high-definition radios, and on its Web site, www.nipr.fm.

 

[kd8hho]

i wonder how much they are wanting for the stations

 

[fwmw]

My guess is around $2 million, based on what they paid for 94.1FM when they bought it from Kovas Summit City.

 

[DouglasB]

i wonder how much they are wanting for the stations

The short answer is "as much as they can get". The only real opportunity is the 94.1 signal in that it is still a commercial frequency although it was operated as a non-com. The other 2 will be harder to peddle since most non-com type formats are already on the air here.
They are probably looking for a lot of cash, since I hear the pledge drives are not working out so well.

 

[kirkiefan]

Would Redeemer Radio consider buying it in spite of the huge price tag?
It would help cover some extra ground where WLYV-AM doesn't cover.

I remember 94.1 as WPTH "Stereo Rock" with the TM automation tapes WFBQ also used back in the day.

 

[fybush]

I remember 94.1 as WPTH "Stereo Rock" with the TM automation tapes WFBQ also used back in the day.

You're thinking of 95.1, now WAJI. That one's a full class B signal and among the best FMs in Fort Wayne.

94.1 only goes back to the early 90s - it actually started, circa 1993, as WQTX 105.1 Roanoke, simulcasting WGL, then was moved to 94.1 as part of the big shuffle that moved 92.7 Decatur to 105.1, creating the signal that's now WQHK-FM, "K105." 94.1 went through a long line of calls and formats after that - there was a period as WGL-FM with an AM simulcast, WYSR "Star" with 80s, WCKZ with R&B as "Wiz," and I'm sure I'm forgetting a couple in there.

 

[gr8oldies]

How many KLove affiliates are in the Fort? Count on EMF being a potential buyer. For old times sake "(sung) Rock 95 ...WPTH"

 

[fybush]

How many KLove affiliates are in the Fort? Count on EMF being a potential buyer. For old times sake "(sung) Rock 95 ...WPTH"

EMF has steered clear of northeast Indiana thus far, as they do in most areas with their own strong local contemporary Christian outlets. WBCL is a monster, and WLAB's no slouch, either. That doesn't leave much of a vacuum for K-Love to fill.

 

[BobOnTheJob]

How many KLove affiliates are in the Fort? Count on EMF being a potential buyer. For old times sake "(sung) Rock 95 ...WPTH"

EMF has steered clear of northeast Indiana thus far, as they do in most areas with their own strong local contemporary Christian outlets. WBCL is a monster, and WLAB's no slouch, either. That doesn't leave much of a vacuum for K-Love to fill.

That said, WQKV/Rochester has a CP to move toward Ft Wayne, change frequency & dramatically increase power. Whether that will become a Fort Wayne targeted signal one day is anybody's guess.

 

[fybush]

That said, WQKV/Rochester has a CP to move toward Ft Wayne, change frequency & dramatically increase power. Whether that will become a Fort Wayne targeted signal one day is anybody's guess.

Funny thing about that WQKV app to move to 88.7 - while it will be strong over Warsaw and North Manchester and adequate over Columbia City and Wabash, it will be completely blocked out of Fort Wayne by another 88.7...that W204BF translator that NIPR is trying to sell.

I wonder if anyone over at NIPR realizes that if they're keeping the classical service on 89.1-HD2, they can put it on the 88.7 translator as well?

 

[DouglasB]

I wonder if anyone over at NIPR realizes that if they're keeping the classical service on 89.1-HD2, they can put it on the 88.7 translator as well?

Hey Scott!! You might want to let them know yourself, I would try but........ My experience has been that they view people from the "commercial" side of the industry with dissain. I've been told, during a pledge drive, that what they do is more noble as they don't allow just anyone to advertise. Then again, I might have said something..........

 

[BobOnTheJob]

That said, WQKV/Rochester has a CP to move toward Ft Wayne, change frequency & dramatically increase power. Whether that will become a Fort Wayne targeted signal one day is anybody's guess.

Funny thing about that WQKV app to move to 88.7 - while it will be strong over Warsaw and North Manchester and adequate over Columbia City and Wabash, it will be completely blocked out of Fort Wayne by another 88.7...that W204BF translator that NIPR is trying to sell.

I wonder if anyone over at NIPR realizes that if they're keeping the classical service on 89.1-HD2, they can put it on the 88.7 translator as well?

Would the translator have to relocate as a secondary service if/when they build out the 88.7? Or is it completely outside of WQKV's protected contour?

 

[Goat Rodeo Cowboy]

My experience has been that they view people from the "commercial" side of the industry with dissain. I've been told, during a pledge drive, that what they do is more noble as they don't allow just anyone to advertise.

Your message confirms an attitude I thought I read in their announcement. After all, if they keep the stations it would require that they MUST go digital.... we can't have people listening to classical music on the inferior analog devices. The audience would not stand for that.

 

[fybush]

Would the translator have to relocate as a secondary service if/when they build out the 88.7? Or is it completely outside of WQKV's protected contour?

Way outside. I don't think WQKV's 60 will even make Columbia City after the move.