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New 104.1 KVDU Application

The applications have been filed at the FCC: KVDU is downgrading to a C3 in Baton Rouge and they are trying to move WFFX from Hattiesburg to NOLA as a C2.

Still no word on what WZRH is doing.
 
Related to this, EMF's WLVZ Collins/Hattiesburg is also filing to move to 103.7 as a class A. Looks like that might allow them to upgrade their Gulfport/Biloxi station also on 107.1.
 
Sorry folks trying for someone to shed light and understanding on these moves.

What does it mean for KVDU to move out of NOLA and 103.7 Hattiesburg to move into NOLA? And what does it mean for the other iHeart stations operating at WRNO/WNOE towers according to the RadioInsight? And lastly, when will this take place? Would a new format be on 103.7 once it comes to New Orleans?
 
My understanding is that the cost to replace the 92.3/104.1 tower was to much for Iheart and Cumulus so both stations need another site. 103.7 would be able to provide the market a lot better signal than 104.1 ever could. The spacing to 102.9 and 104.5 would be perfect. So maybe a 104.5 upgrade could happen. 104.1 will provide a great signal to Baton Rouge. The move of 103.7 has already opened up other opportunities in other parts of LA and MS. K Love 107.1 would move to 103.7 in Hattiesburg and 98.1 WMXI would move to 107.1 to upgrade its signal somewhat. Plus the 103.9 in Jackson will be able to upgrade further since 103.7 Hattiesburg will become a class A station.
 
What is iHeart's primary goal to move KDVU to 103.7 if they are not going to invest in a long-term, more suitable format to better compete with other NOLA stations (i.e, Magic 101.9)? Will moving it to a stronger signal really make a huge difference?
 
What is iHeart's primary goal to move KDVU to 103.7 if they are not going to invest in a long-term, more suitable format to better compete with other NOLA stations (i.e, Magic 101.9)? Will moving it to a stronger signal really make a huge difference?
Huge difference? Probably not, since there's still the whole marketing thing. But considering iHeart has four of the top five stations in the market, it doesn't need it to be competitive. It's there to create a sales alternative for combo buys and/or keep WLMG or another station down in demos.
 
And again, there's no guarantee either station will keep its existing format in these moves. It would make more sense to do it after, IMO.

Of course, the question would be what format lanes are available in either market, if any.
 
I doubt it. IHeart seems happy with 104.1 The Spot. I would guess if these moves are approved, then it will become 103.7 The Spot and a new format would appear in Baton Rouge on 104.1.
Is there any specific reason why KVDU would need to change formats? Combining it and WFFX together, with a simple drop of the .1 in the branding, seems at least plausible, if not downright likely to me. I can't imagine the rock format would stay on 103.7 after the move. Maybe I am missing something.
 
Is there any specific reason why KVDU would need to change formats? Combining it and WFFX together, with a simple drop of the .1 in the branding, seems at least plausible, if not downright likely to me. I can't imagine the rock format would stay on 103.7 after the move. Maybe I am missing something.
You are saying they run the downgraded KVDU and the moved-in WFFX as a simulcast? I suppose it is possible. I think analog, or rather "dial" radio frequency brands are unfashionable and not a good idea. Also, those are separate markets with different dynamics at play.

I'm not super familiar with the Baton Rouge market, but I bet iHeart does some market analysis to see what could make the biggest impact, and I kind of doubt The Spot is the answer, but who knows.

Just spitballing, I would probably guess they would try some kind of Urban/CHR Rhythmic riff to better match Cumulus' offerings.
 
....As I recall last time this exact station swap/move was tried Guaranty put up a huge fight against it. I wonder if it will go any different this time?
 
....As I recall last time this exact station swap/move was tried Guaranty put up a huge fight against it. I wonder if it will go any different this time?
I was wondering if this would lead to some engineering changes for them too. Perhaps trying to move 104.9 further in by moving 104.5 further out. I'm not sure that is even possible, but since they are a simulcast and 104.1 appears to be moving in, it seems any additional improvements to 104.5 are likely off the table.
 
What it looks like so far:
KVDU - 104.1 (C) Houma LA -> 104.1 (C3) Gonzales LA
WFFX - 103.7 (C1) Hattiesburg MS -> 103.7 (C2) Marrero LA [would put a 70dBu signal over New Orleans; WFFX had just downgraded from C0 to C1 earlier this year to allow WYAB in Jackson to upgrade to 8kW]
WLVZ - 107.1 (C3) Collins MS -> 103.7 (C3) Collins MS [TL would not change]
WMXI - 98.1 (A) Ellisville MS -> 107.1 (A) Ellisville MS [TL would not change]
Also, WYAB has applied to upgrade to a full C3 (24kW @ 102m HAAT); they just upgraded from Class A to a minimum C3 (8kW @ 102m HAAT)
 
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