The impending demise of KEYH and the tower collapse of KJOJ were discussed in another thread, but I want to focus on what the future might be for these two stations.
KEYH 850 has lost the lease on its tower site. Recreating the five tower array with a similar signal pattern would involve moving much further west in an area of the metro that is rapidly growing. Land prices would be at a premium, and anything cheaper would likely be too far away from Houston's urban core. The transmitter site could be changed to another area of the metro, but that would involve completely reengineering the signal, and likely involve a power drop. Same for diplexing with an existing AM.
I should point out that around 30 years ago KEYH had a construction permit to move to 830 with 50kw day and 1kw night. I think the transmitter site would have been somewhere in western Montgomery County, dumping RF over the market and into the Gulf. I don't know if those plans could ever be revived.
The Ranchera format on KEYH was barely a blip in the ratings, but did last a long time, with a few aberrations along the way (anyone remember Sonido 850?)
Meanwhile, KJOJ 103.3 is off the air. For the past 25 years it has merely been a simulcaster for 98.5, as it was unable to make it as a standalone signal. KJOJ does have a longstanding CP for a 1,955 foot tower near Sargent, Texas, 66 miles south of downtown Houston. Virtually all of Houston metro would be more than 50 miles away, The Woodlands over 90 miles away, and Conroe over 100 miles away. Not a good facility for reaching most listeners in the market.
So the question is: If you are Estrella Media, what do you do with these stations? Estrella has recently emerged from the bankruptcy of the old Liberman Broadcasting, and is now owned by the investors and creditors who got it out of Chapter 11. Should they attempt expensive rebuilds of the stations and try to get them back on the air? Are either of the licenses worth that? Or should they sell the licenses to someone else (a greater fool) who might try to rebuild and revive them? Do they simply wash their hands of the stations and turn in the licenses?
I wonder if KJOJ, instead of building the CP for the big stick which would be only seven miles from a future hurricane landfall, should instead downgrade to a shorter tower (perhaps a C3) and focus on serving the Freeport-Lake Jackson area. I have a feeling that would flop just like KGLF years ago, though a national religious broadcaster might go for this.
As for KEYH, it would probably be best to turn in the license. Any future effort would probably be with a reduced signal and likely a money pit, considering the rebuild costs.
Anyone want to add their $0.02 as to what to do with KEYH and KJOJ?
KEYH 850 has lost the lease on its tower site. Recreating the five tower array with a similar signal pattern would involve moving much further west in an area of the metro that is rapidly growing. Land prices would be at a premium, and anything cheaper would likely be too far away from Houston's urban core. The transmitter site could be changed to another area of the metro, but that would involve completely reengineering the signal, and likely involve a power drop. Same for diplexing with an existing AM.
I should point out that around 30 years ago KEYH had a construction permit to move to 830 with 50kw day and 1kw night. I think the transmitter site would have been somewhere in western Montgomery County, dumping RF over the market and into the Gulf. I don't know if those plans could ever be revived.
The Ranchera format on KEYH was barely a blip in the ratings, but did last a long time, with a few aberrations along the way (anyone remember Sonido 850?)
Meanwhile, KJOJ 103.3 is off the air. For the past 25 years it has merely been a simulcaster for 98.5, as it was unable to make it as a standalone signal. KJOJ does have a longstanding CP for a 1,955 foot tower near Sargent, Texas, 66 miles south of downtown Houston. Virtually all of Houston metro would be more than 50 miles away, The Woodlands over 90 miles away, and Conroe over 100 miles away. Not a good facility for reaching most listeners in the market.
So the question is: If you are Estrella Media, what do you do with these stations? Estrella has recently emerged from the bankruptcy of the old Liberman Broadcasting, and is now owned by the investors and creditors who got it out of Chapter 11. Should they attempt expensive rebuilds of the stations and try to get them back on the air? Are either of the licenses worth that? Or should they sell the licenses to someone else (a greater fool) who might try to rebuild and revive them? Do they simply wash their hands of the stations and turn in the licenses?
I wonder if KJOJ, instead of building the CP for the big stick which would be only seven miles from a future hurricane landfall, should instead downgrade to a shorter tower (perhaps a C3) and focus on serving the Freeport-Lake Jackson area. I have a feeling that would flop just like KGLF years ago, though a national religious broadcaster might go for this.
As for KEYH, it would probably be best to turn in the license. Any future effort would probably be with a reduced signal and likely a money pit, considering the rebuild costs.
Anyone want to add their $0.02 as to what to do with KEYH and KJOJ?
