"New" FM station in Bellevue

[w9wi]

Kinda surprised nobody's noticed... 94.5 WFGZ Lobelville has filed to move to Bellevue.

They'll reduce power from Class C2 (22kw/218m) to Class A (5.1kw/109m) from a site in southwest Davidson Co., right on the Cheatham county line - looks to be just south of I-40 and about midway between the Bellevue and Kingston Springs exits.

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/forms/prod/cdbsmenu.hts?context=25&appn=101268682&formid=301&fac_num=50126

Application says they plan to downgrade WGSQ 94.7 Cookeville from Class C to C0. (should be no problem as WGSQ's antenna is 402m high, below the 451m necessary to keep C status.) In other words, WGSQ will not be reducing power, they're just being reclassified so it isn't necessary to provide as much distance separation as would be necessary for Class C.

They're also going to have to replace service at Lobelville - WFGZ is currently the only station licensed there. They bought WNKX-AM 1570 Centerville back in August and have filed to move the station to northern Perry Co., reduce power from 5kw to 1kw, and change the city-of-license to Lobelville.

WFGZ is currently a contemporary Christian station that seems to be on the same satellite feed as Salem's "Fish" stations most of the time, though they also seem to run a bunch of preachers in the morning. Of course, whether they plan to continue doing so after moving to Bellevue is a good question!

 

[Tibbs4]

Good find there, Dan!

I wonder if the hills in Bellevue, better known as "the Triangle" will tear up the signal into Belle Meade, etc.?
Interesting that they could possibly have three stations side-by-side with the same format.

 

[w9wi]

Good find there, Dan!

I wonder if the hills in Bellevue, better known as "the Triangle" will tear up the signal into Belle Meade, etc.?
Interesting that they could possibly have three stations side-by-side with the same format.

Doug, actually ;D

I doubt they'll keep the same format, as that site is awfully close to 93.7 and the two stations' coverage will nearly completely overlap. If I had to wild-guess (and I'm an engineer,not qualified to do that!) I'd guess it will simulcast 105.1 with southern gospel.

I'm sure it won't be the best Metro signal! That's rough terrain alright...

 

[Tibbs4]

I can't believe I did that...to much Halloween candy. I knwo it's Doug. My apologies, sir!

Tubbs

 

[anotherguyTN]

It won't surprise me if WFGZ goes to SG. Grace Broadcasting bought it, WSIB 93.9 in Selmer, and WTKB 93.7 in Atwood/Jackson to make the Dove Network of CCM stations for West and Western Middle TN. In the last few months WSIB was changed to SG after K-LOVE came on in Selmer at 90.5. If WFGZ moves and changes to SG that will leave WTKB as their only remaining CCM station. It has a more likely chance to stay since K-LOVE only has a translator in Jackson, along with being on the outer edges of K-LOVE's stations in Dyersburg and Ripley, and AFR has a low power station on their CCM network.

I've always thought that WFGZ wouldn't do very well with just carrying the same feed as the Fish stations in Nashville, and also with WAY-FM having stations in Clarksville and New Johnsonvile, and WNAZ/WNRZ also being in the area.

 

[w9wi]

It won't surprise me if WFGZ goes to SG. Grace Broadcasting bought it, WSIB 93.9 in Selmer, and WTKB 93.7 in Atwood/Jackson to make the Dove Network of CCM stations for West and Western Middle TN. In the last few months WSIB was changed to SG after K-LOVE came on in Selmer at 90.5. If WFGZ moves and changes to SG that will leave WTKB as their only remaining CCM station. It has a more likely chance to stay since K-LOVE only has a translator in Jackson, along with being on the outer edges of K-LOVE's stations in Dyersburg and Ripley, and AFR has a low power station on their CCM network.

I've always thought that WFGZ wouldn't do very well with just carrying the same feed as the Fish stations in Nashville, and also with WAY-FM having stations in Clarksville and New Johnsonvile, and WNAZ/WNRZ also being in the area.

I doubt the presence of the Fish has anything to do with WFGZ making it or not making it in Perry County - I can't imagine even the 93.7 Fish frequency has any signal to speak of out there.

 

[radionekkid]

i am sure the public interest will be well served by another nashville area radio station, just what is needed at this time,

 

[Tibbs4]

I dunno, it might help WNFN to have this station come into the market and have lower numbers...
Is that serving the public interest?

 

[scottwmro]

I dunno, it might help WNFN to have this station come into the market and have lower numbers...
Is that serving the public interest?

Tibbs,
I really can't see WFGZ having any impact on WNFN. What Grace wants is to have a signal into the Nashville Market with thier Southern Gospel Format that is on WWGM-FM in the Jackson Market.

Depending on the next administration, public service is a topic "on hold" for a while. I think the FCC had those town hall meetings across the country just to cover thier butts with congress & elected officials who wanted to be relected in this upcoming election. Besides, Kevin Martin is OUT in the next administration, despite who is elected.

Personally, the FCC rules are WAY OUT DATED, and need to be rewritten for this era. in another 20 to 30 years, they will be 100 years old and they have not changed with technology and the way the public masses (excluding people who work inside/or near the media industry) think now, vs. 70 or 80 years ago.

Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[Tibbs4]

Scott, maybe I was not clear on my joke. I was just saying that with a fairly faint and fuzzy signal,
the ratings of this station would probably be better than the Fans, no matter how bad of a signal
has. Just a stab at our friends at Cumulus Clouds.