New AM in Cross City?

[SCMcKinney]

Whipping up US19 on Friday, I passed by a sign for 1240 WCCZ, which for the brief time I was in listening range was spinning oldies-type music.

Is this station new? What would be the business plan for a new AM music station in a small town? If they are new, and this was just some programming to get the transmitter warmed up, could a locally focussed AM have a chance nowadays?

On a somewhat related note, is there something more viable for 940 WLQH in Chiefland? In both cases, I think these stations are the only AM's in town. On the other hand, Perry's 1400 WPRY has apparently shut down, moving to a low powered FM 95.3, leaving AM there essentially static except for 620 WDAE and 820 WWBA...

 

[ThatGuyOnTheRadio]

There is another thread on here about WZCC. This is the former WDFL/WYNY, previously a trimul-cast with Pamal's WDVH. A little over 2 years ago Pamal sold WRGO (102.7 Crystal River/Cedar Key) and WYNY. WYNY (now WZCC) was then sold again a few months ago with yet another new owner after spending quite some time silent.

The owner of WZCC lurks these boards-- he can fill in more here.

Bob at CFLRadio has a good history on the station here: http://cflradio.net/1240_WDFL_AM.htm

 

[Nostalgia]

Whipping up US19 on Friday, I passed by a sign for 1240 WCCZ, which for the brief time I was in listening range was spinning oldies-type music.

Is this station new? What would be the business plan for a new AM music station in a small town? If they are new, and this was just some programming to get the transmitter warmed up, could a locally focussed AM have a chance nowadays?

On a somewhat related note, is there something more viable for 940 WLQH in Chiefland? In both cases, I think these stations are the only AM's in town. On the other hand, Perry's 1400 WPRY has apparently shut down, moving to a low powered FM 95.3, leaving AM there essentially static except for 620 WDAE and 820 WWBA...

If your comment on WPRY is correct they would run afoul of a few rules and regs. 95.3 is a translator for 1400 according to FCC and Radio Locator, so if 1400 is dark they have nothing to translate, so to speak. I am pretty sure you cannot just magically make your translator the primary station :

There was a recent thread that discussed the value of billboards for radio stations. One vote for WZCC for catching the eye, and ear of SCMcKinney (at least he had the freq correct ) And another thread, many actually, commented on the "good old days" of the local AM radio station. Do PSAs for community groups, cheap spots for local businesses, high school football- there is your business plan. Of course live and local would be the best but we all know that isnt going to happen in this day and age.

 

[jmtillery]

There is another thread on here about WZCC. This is the former WDFL/WYNY, previously a trimul-cast with Pamal's WDVH. A little over 2 years ago Pamal sold WRGO (102.7 Crystal River/Cedar Key) and WYNY. WYNY (now WZCC) was then sold again a few months ago with yet another new owner after spending quite some time silent.

The owner of WZCC lurks these boards-- he can fill in more here.

Bob at CFLRadio has a good history on the station here: http://cflradio.net/1240_WDFL_AM.htm

It's interesting you mention a "good history" for AM 1240 on cflradio.net. That history came from me under my pseudo name "Marc Tyll" which I have used on occassion on-air. Thank you for the compliment.