KUSF Sale Finalized

[pjc1961]

A $50,000 "contribution" and a consent decree seal the deal for the transfer from the University Of San Francisco to the Classical Public Radio Network (90% owned by KUSC).

The two violations that caused the delay and cost the parties the extra $ beyond the $3.75 million sale were:
1. monthly payments for program time which exceeded the payments allowed to a non-commercial station and
2. the parties' unintentionally false certifications that the transaction complied with the Commission's rules and policies.

Full story: http://www.radio-info.com/news/a-50...-and-consent-decree-settle-the-sale-of-kusf-s

 

[Bongwater]

Oh well.....Wonder if KDFC is rubbing it in with the Save KUSF folks by playing Wagner's Götterdämmerung (the inspiration behind the quote "It ain't over until the fat lady sings.....")

Sad. I was hoping for the underdog......

 

[DavidKaye]

Sad. I was hoping for the underdog......

So, you were hoping that the FCC would deny the sale of KUSF to KUSC? And what would that have accomplished? USF would have simply looked for another buyer, and you know that would likely have been a Jesuscaster. Consider it a stroke of luck (or benevolence on the part of USF) that it wasn't sold to a Jesuscaster in the first place!

Remember that there are many stations that play the kind of music KUSF did -- KFOG, KOHL, KFJC, KALX, KVHS, etc., but nobody playing classical music.

 

[recto101]

Does this mean that KDFC's call letters will move to 90.3 or does this mean that they keep the KDFC calls at 89.9? I know 104.9 is KXSC.

 

[pmcdonald]

89.9 will retain the KDFC calls, and is considered the flagship station. 90.3 will become KOSC, in keeping with the "SC" theme of other KUSC satellite stations, as they are doing with KXSC in the south Bay.

 

[uncamark]

So, you were hoping that the FCC would deny the sale of KUSF to KUSC? And what would that have accomplished? USF would have simply looked for another buyer, and you know that would likely have been a Jesuscaster. Consider it a stroke of luck (or benevolence on the part of USF) that it wasn't sold to a Jesuscaster in the first place!

Remember that there are many stations that play the kind of music KUSF did -- KFOG, KOHL, KFJC, KALX, KVHS, etc., but nobody playing classical music.

It's not over yet. The "Friends of KUSF" are claiming that the settlement was made behind closed doors and intend to appeal. They also claim that the current format is not proper for an NCE station and is *not* a format change issue. I don't think they'll win and USF and CPRN has already closed on the deal, but they're going to fight on:

http://www.radiosurvivor.com/2012/0...-fccs-ruling-on-kusf-sale-and-plan-to-appeal/

 

[Goldilocks94941]

Oh, the "Save KUSF" crowd are just stubborn and ridiculous. My guess is former Nader for President organizers. And look what that got us. One does wish they'd learn to channel their energy into something useful that isn't just a practice in pumping up rage, fueled by personal vanity.

Thank USC that there's still one outlet for classical music in the immediate Bay Area.

The KUSF crowd needs to cooperate (maybe that's the problem) with LPFM organizers, and help with one of those applications. And try fundraising, too. Or work with Foothill College or UC Berkeley to participate in those other multi-format / college rock stations in the region. Sorry, but they'll just have to step outside the city limits for that. Or, hey kids, volunteer with KPOO, and learn to fall in love with a new set of call letters, right in your own city!

But the options for those who appreciate the fine arts are limited to KDFC and its repeater signals. And they're so much more professional and energized than either KDFC or KKHI were when they both competed with commercial classical formats. Start with the number of broadcasts of local ensembles, for a start. I'd like to have multiple classical stations where I live, but if I had to have just one, KDFC would be a welcome approach that forgoes the "throw on a record and walk away" practice that characterized a few too many university-based classical radio outlets years ago. Or the intrusion of produced commercials for Safeway that really destroyed the moods the music set. I don't think even KPFA has much in the way of fine arts programming in scattered time blocks anymore, apart from perhaps some more-avant-garde-than-thou material, which is fine for them. So, three cheers for KDFC! For KOSC! for KXSC!

 

[DavidKaye]

It's not over yet. The "Friends of KUSF" are claiming that the settlement was made behind closed doors and intend to appeal. They also claim that the current format is not proper for an NCE station and is *not* a format change issue. I don't think they'll win and USF and CPRN has already closed on the deal, but they're going to fight on:

Considering that nearly 100% of classical music aired in America is via NCE stations, I can't see why it is not a proper fit. Plus, the SF Opera is the 2nd largest opera in the USA, and the SF Symphony continues at 100 years to be one of the premiere world symphonies. In fact, it was also the first regular symphony (as opposed to NBC's in-house orchestra) to schedule regular radio broadcasts.

There is a long tradition of support of classical music in San Francisco. There is much less support of a bunch of 40-something non-students spinning their favorite music on a radio station that's supposed to be tied to a college, but really wasn't.

Now, this does not mean that I prefer classical music over the music KUSF was playing. Actually, I'd rather hear KUSF's music than KDFC's, though I do listen to KDFC from time to time when I want some "mellow out" time. So, my response here is NOT my personal taste, but a "fair and balanced" read on the matter at hand. The fact of the matter is that KUSF wasn't playing anything I didn't already have easy access to, but KDFC's music is totally fresh to me.

 

[recto101]

Didn't USF sell KUSF because they had to balance the Budget? I know USF is a Private university but they have to answer to Accrediters and Families that they have to balance the budget. I hope the KDFC Network succeeds. But Look maybe USF has realized that the future for Broadcasting Majors was not bright when they made the cuts. I understand the reasons why broadcasting majors were outraged by the sale of 90.3 to KDFC (KUSC inc). If the "Friends of KUSF" or "Occupy KUSF" really want them back on the air why not get your guys to come together and make a web only edition of KUSF radio until USF can afford to get a new LPFM Frequency in San Francisco.

 

[LKellerIII]

Didn't USF sell KUSF because they had to balance the Budget? I know USF is a Private university but they have to answer to Accrediters and Families that they have to balance the budget. I hope the KDFC Network succeeds. But Look maybe USF has realized that the future for Broadcasting Majors was not bright w

I think you're looking for the word "creditors," as in companies and corporations to whom USF owes money.

As far as I know, USF has never had trouble with being 'accredited' - which is to say, "to recognize an educational institution as maintaining those standards requisite for its graduates to gain admission to other reputable institutions of higher learning or to achieve credentials for professional practice."

 

[recto101]

Didn't USF sell KUSF because they had to balance the Budget? I know USF is a Private university but they have to answer to Accrediters and Families that they have to balance the budget. I hope the KDFC Network succeeds. But Look maybe USF has realized that the future for Broadcasting Majors was not bright w

I think you're looking for the word "creditors," as in companies and corporations to whom USF owes money.

As far as I know, USF has never had trouble with being 'accredited' - which is to say, "to recognize an educational institution as maintaining those standards requisite for its graduates to gain admission to other reputable institutions of higher learning or to achieve credentials for professional practice."

I do mean accreditation from WASC the people that certify the Colleges and Universities in California.

 

[JustinT]

Didn't USF sell KUSF because they had to balance the Budget?

If you look back at articles from a year ago (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/01/21/EDE81HCLUB.DTL), USF sold 90.3 FM because considering the low student participation, it was not a good use of the University's assets. When you consider the three major University radio license sales of the past year (KUSF, WRVU, KTRU), each one took place because the university (or in the case of WRVU, the licensee) wanted to reallocate their resources - not because the universities need to keep the lights on.

 

[uncamark]

I suspect that what the "Friends of KUSF" might try to do is cause some mischief when CPRN wants to move the KOSC transmitter off the USF campus (and put the Arbitron PPM decoder on the new transmitter, since they're not getting numbers from the KUSF transmitter). By "mischief" I mean filing objections, claiming interference of other NCE signals (probably their choice college stations). And I suspect that there will be a license challenge or challenges next time around. The KUSF-in-Exile people have formed a 501(c)3 called San Francisco Community Radio, so I suspect that they'll continue to go after the KUSF/KOSC signal and/or look into alternatives, including LPFM if the FCC opens up frequencies in San Francisco.

And where they tried to get KDFC on the "unfit for NCE" allegation is that KDFC programming is not "educational" in nature, but background music. Happily for CPRN, the FCC didn't buy that, especially since most non-com classical formats these days are almost as background music-ish as pre-non-com KDFC.

 

[weav]

Speaking as one who's done a fair bit with college radio, including being CE at a bay area one for around 5 years, the Save-KUSF crowd need to move on with their lives. USF is not going to put back the status-quo-ante. I have a hunch they'd sooner just send in the license to Washington. I fear for KSCU and KXLU, but they seem to be holding on. KUSF on the other hand is history, and it's time to go create something new, or at least help with something new-to-them.

 

[brian.marchand]

The KOSC transmitter and tower has already been moved a few months ago.

I suspect that what the "Friends of KUSF" might try to do is cause some mischief when CPRN wants to move the KOSC transmitter off the USF campus (and put the Arbitron PPM decoder on the new transmitter, since they're not getting numbers from the KUSF transmitter). By "mischief" I mean filing objections, claiming interference of other NCE signals (probably their choice college stations). And I suspect that there will be a license challenge or challenges next time around. The KUSF-in-Exile people have formed a 501(c)3 called San Francisco Community Radio, so I suspect that they'll continue to go after the KUSF/KOSC signal and/or look into alternatives, including LPFM if the FCC opens up frequencies in San Francisco.

And where they tried to get KDFC on the "unfit for NCE" allegation is that KDFC programming is not "educational" in nature, but background music. Happily for CPRN, the FCC didn't buy that, especially since most non-com classical formats these days are almost as background music-ish as pre-non-com KDFC.

 

[recto101]

Re: KUSF is Now KOSC

90.3 is now KOSC

 

[Bongwater]

Re: KUSF is Now KOSC

90.3 is now KOSC

Now here's an interesting question: Are those call letters now "back in the pool"? Or does USF have some kind of copyright on them?

 

[fybush]

Re: KUSF is Now KOSC

90.3 is now KOSC

Now here's an interesting question: Are those call letters now "back in the pool"? Or does USF have some kind of copyright on them?

Once you surrender a callsign, it's gone. The only way to "copyright" a set of calls is to park them on another license, and USF doesn't have a license on which to park them. Right now, the FCC's callsign reservation system reports "KUSF" as an available callsign, so anyone can apply for that call right now, anywhere in the West.

 

[uncamark]

Re: KUSF is Now KOSC

Once you surrender a callsign, it's gone. The only way to "copyright" a set of calls is to park them on another license, and USF doesn't have a license on which to park them. Right now, the FCC's callsign reservation system reports "KUSF" as an available callsign, so anyone can apply for that call right now, anywhere in the West.

Back when there was another controversial non-com sale, when St. Olaf College outside of Minneapolis sold "free form" classical WCAL to Minnesota Public Radio (it's now modern-leaning AAA KCMP "The Current"), I had heard that MPR had sold the WCAL calls to a college station in Pennsylvania (at the University of Pennsylvania California in California, branded as "Power 92," an active rocker during the day). BS?

 

[fybush]

You can't sell a callsign, per se.

You can coordinate with another licensee to make sure that your filing to give up a callsign is timed precisely to make sure the other licensee is right there to grab that surrendered callsign...and if money or other consideration changes hands in the process, that's OK, as long as it's not explicitly designated as being a payment for the callsign.

There's nothing new to that. Way back in 1980, Ted Turner provided some money for a new transmitter for the station at MIT, then known as WTBS (Technology Broadcasting System), in exchange for its call change to WMBR.

There's a station up here near me that's trying to unload the "WRCK" callsign to an interested party, if they can reach a mutually-agreeable deal.