KPTI news

[jd]

This is a follow-up of sorts to a post from oldjohnny about the future of KPTI 105.3, whose transmitter building in Crystal Beach was demolished by Hurricane Ike:

I believe the chances of them rebuilding the facility is small. I assume that now, Univision will just wait on the pending application for KPTI to move to Winnie. Will make little sense to rebuild if they are granted the application to move, that is unless they don't own the place and are just leasing it, then it is up to the landlord, but even then, I don't see KPTI back on the air anytime soon.

Guess what? The application has been approved. Compare their present service area (I mean what used to be their coverage) with what they'll get with the tower relocation and power increase:

Crystal Beach: www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=FM595088.html
Winnie: www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=FM1209679.html

Not bad, but as we've discussed before it will make them a Beaumont-Port Arthur station with no chance of being heard in Houston. (Oh, wait, that's the case now.) I always liked what the late Mike_O said when this was first mentioned. He referred to it as an upgrade from "Sand Bar TX to Winnie."

 

[oldjohnny]

This is interesting. I wonder if they'll dump it to the highest bidder any time soon. Cumulus and GAP may seem like potential buyers. I doubt they'll keep the station unless they still want to move it in. Any chance of moving it closer to Houston is still very slim. Just imagine moving all those stations just to accomodate KPTI as a rimshot. KKYS, KTWL, KHTZ (Ganado), KBUK, KAMA, and (maybe) KMAT are all in the way.

But if they do want to make something happen, then this is how I see it.

KAMA moves to Missouri City at low power. (Making it a Full C will require more pain in the butt, so going with something like a C3 or C2 makes more sense)

KKYS reduces power, Class A (Maybe move to the same tower as KNFX)

KTWL moves to another frequency, (Seems like 107.7 maybe an open frequency over towards the East of B/CS)

KHTZ moves back to Victoria as a Class A

KBUK has to move frequencies. (105.1?)

KMAT is probably safe the way it is, It will require no move if KAMA moves into Missoury city at low power.

I know there are way more things to consider when shuffling around the dial, but I would like to know what the engineers think. How would you see KPTI move into Houston? Or will it be better to let it be and just sell KPTI?

 

[stan]

I will file a protest immediately. Keep KPTI on the sandbar where they belong, broadcasting to the fish.

 

[texano]

ANy word on when 105.3 will return? Any dat set? When will 980 leave?

 

[oldjohnny]

The way the future looks for KPTI and Univision, I'd say the station has had a small good run. Once this station has completed its CP, it will probably go into the market. It is no secret that Univision is disposing of their non core assets and KPTI, even with the upgrade, is a non core asset. The property will probably go up for sale. The small office that occupied the xmitter (the one that was badly damaged with Ike) will probably be re-built since it also houses KSTB, but don't look for Univision to go back there. They'll just move on with their CP.