MediaCo adding NYC stations on HD subchannels

[Identnut]

NYC's Hot 97 & WBLS Will Soon Be On-Air In California & Texas - Radio Ink

MediaCo is bringing Hot 97 and WBLS to major multicultural markets in Texas and California via HD signals acquired with Estrella Media.

radioink.com

RadioInk learned that WBLS will simulcast on HD subchannels of KZZA 106.7 (Dallas area), KQQK 107.9 (Houston area) and KBUE 105.5 (Los Angeles area); with WQHT simulcasting on HD subchannels of KNOR 93.7 (Dallas), KTJM 98.5 (Houston) and KRQB 96.1 (Riverside).

Of all of these, KQQK is the only one currently transmitting in HD, so we should see KZZA, KNOR, KBUE and KRQB launching HD signals and KTJM re-launching its HD within the next few days, with all of these stations and KQQK adding an HD2 subchannel.

Again, I wonder what they will do about the Steve Harvey morning show, which airs on WBLS but other stations air in Dallas and Los Angeles.

 

[Mrtejano]

So I guess they weren’t kidding on turning HDs on the 1st? I don’t work in the media but is it as simple as turning the switch on? You would think they would have started setting them up yesterday after the Thanksgiving weekend.

 

[KyleSmith1988]

MediaCo is attempting to build Hot 97 into a national brand. It is launching it on streaming television platforms (and recently OTA in Atlanta). This is just a simple way to increase its exposure within other outlets it owns.

Yeah I actually heard someone randomly Streaming that "Blazin' Hippop'n & Arrann'B" "Hot NAHN 7" 🙆‍♀️😅 Wow 📻📱 🌌 .. From Way Down'Yonder at the Anderson Jockey Lot Flea Market (THE Largest Tourist Attraction in SC!) .. Exactly 632 Miles Away from The Empire State Building - 2 hours Northeast of Atlanta - 🤷‍♂️ kind of interesting saw a random someone around here tuned in (Yea in 2025). It Had to be Someone formally from Bronx 😅🤷‍♂️🙆‍ ... Listening Beyond OTA Distance (Below Toms River) was unheard of in 1995 when I lived up there ... And I haven't lived up there since 04 and NEVER thought i would EVER Hear it in SC, of Course, unless I put it on 😅📻 But I prefer the Original Early 90s Format - Which Still Streams Online @ https://hot103and97online.com/ Original Hot 103/97

 

[Mediafrog+]

So I guess they weren’t kidding on turning HDs on the 1st? I don’t work in the media but is it as simple as turning the switch on? You would think they would have started setting them up yesterday after the Thanksgiving weekend.

Checked KTJM and KQQK the evening of November 30. No HD yet on 98.5, and 107.9 is still HD-1 only.

 

[dxsphere]

So I guess they weren’t kidding on turning HDs on the 1st? I don’t work in the media but is it as simple as turning the switch on? You would think they would have started setting them up yesterday after the Thanksgiving weekend.

Not necessarily - depends on whether the existing transmitter is capable of HD Radio. If not, then the station would need to get a new transmitter.

 

[Mediafrog+]

9:35am check December 1 and no sign of HD on KTJM or an HD-2 on KQQK.

 

[IngenieroPerron]

Not necessarily - depends on whether the existing transmitter is capable of HD Radio. If not, then the station would need to get a new transmitter.

They have Nautels, Mike Todd was MediaCo DOT but he left to K-LOVE at Tennessee, they looking for help in engieering

 

[tb_]

KTJM did have HD at one point, so it should be relatively easy to flip back on.

 

[HTX]

KTJM did have HD at one point, so it should be relatively easy to flip back on.

Same with KNTE but I guess they’re not planning on bringing it back

 

[HTX]

10 PM and still no charges

 

[Mediafrog+]

Now December 3 and no changes to KTJM and KQQK at an 11am check.

On the DFW board Lance Venta has stated he’d be shocked if WQHT and WBLS ever end up airing on the MediaCo stations in Houston, DFW and SoCal. Appears MediaCo executives might not have understood what is technically involved in making that happen.

 

[jras20]

KNTE hasn't had HD on ever since they had the loud buzzing problem. They just have RDS now.

 

[IngenieroPerron]

I dont think they have completed this merger, i dont beleive they are spending money to fix or do projects until then

 

[lanceventa]

I dont think they have completed this merger, i dont beleive they are spending money to fix or do projects until then

The second Estrella Media deal with the transfer of the radio licenses was closed and completed in May.

 

[IngenieroPerron]

The second Estrella Media deal with the transfer of the radio licenses was closed and completed in May.

that may be but when i talked to Mr Todd, he did say that money for repairs were just not there, slow to respond. Air condition to their server rack room was down and they simply did not want to repair, just patch it up with small portable units

 

[lanceventa]

that may be but when i talked to Mr Todd, he did say that money for repairs were just not there, slow to respond. Air condition to their server rack room was down and they simply did not want to repair, just patch it up with small portable units

That doesn't mean the deal isn't completed. That means MediaCo is not investing in their facilities. They're far from the only operator not doing so.

 

[secondchoice]

KTJM is squeezed by first adjacent translators on both sides which would likely wreck the HD digital sidebands on 98.5, at least in the SW part of the market. Probably better to add HD 2 and 3 to 107.9.

Translators can accept interference but they can't cause it for any class A thru C FM stations. If the translator trashed their HD in their 60 dB the might have a legitimate complaint to the FCC.

 

[Mediafrog+]

that may be but when i talked to Mr Todd, he did say that money for repairs were just not there, slow to respond. Air condition to their server rack room was down and they simply did not want to repair, just patch it up with small portable units

This might explain that:

MediaCo Faces Nasdaq Delisting

MediaCo Holding Inc. has received a deficiency letter from the Nasdaq Listing Qualifications Department as the company's stock has been

radioinsight.com