Central Coast KUHL Santa Maria to end

[RF101]

Another AM to end.

Longtime Santa Maria talk radio station KUHL 1440 to close

Local news-talk radio station KUHL 1440, which has operated in Santa Maria since 1955, will soon stop broadcasting, the station's news director Ben Heighes said Wednesday.

santamariatimes.com

 

[GeoffR]

They couldn't find anyone who would want an AM when it has an FM translator?

 

[radiofan2023]

I kind of wish the owner who was quoted in the article had explained what the issues with the station were.

 

[Mark Roberts]

My understanding is that it's a pretty tough market. It sounds like the owner inherited the stations, didn't really know what to do with them, may have needed help that she couldn't find and, ultimately, just wanted to dispose of the assets as best she could.

 

[Kent]

I kind of wish the owner who was quoted in the article had explained what the issues with the station were.

She might not have known or have been able to explain them well herself. I'm sure, if anyone wanted KUHL, she would've sold it.

The article didn't seem to rule out her finding a buyer for the station, but "notify the FCC" can mean a lot of things. We'll find out once she files the paperwork whether she just turned in the license or asked for an STA to shop the property around.

 

[lanceventa]

I kind of wish the owner who was quoted in the article had explained what the issues with the station were.

Her husband died two years ago in a paragliding accident and she had no interest in operating the stations.

A source who was previously associated with the stations told me if sold the station would need to find a new tower site, which also limits potential buyers from wanting to invest.

 

[radiofan2023]

Her husband died two years ago in a paragliding accident and she had no interest in operating the stations.

A source who was previously associated with the stations told me if sold the station would need to find a new tower site, which also limits potential buyers from wanting to invest.

Thanks for explaining.

 

[davideduardo]

My understanding is that it's a pretty tough market. It sounds like the owner inherited the stations, didn't really know what to do with them, may have needed help that she couldn't find and, ultimately, just wanted to dispose of the assets as best she could.

The city itself is 74% Hispanic. Not an issue unless the owner was stuck in the white past of "California Girls".

 

[davideduardo]

Her husband died two years ago in a paragliding accident and she had no interest in operating the stations.

A source who was previously associated with the stations told me if sold the station would need to find a new tower site, which also limits potential buyers from wanting to invest.

I considered those stations a while back when considering moving to that area near San Luis Obispo and Solvang. It would have been, I think, profitable if I had taken one station Spanish and then gone very local on the other of the two better signals. But it would be 12 hour days for me and my wife, and that is not what I was looking for in a fading industry.