Oldies 96.5: KIKO-FM Claypool AZ

[david]

Phoenix Area Translator & Rimshot Sold As Combo – RadioInsight reports “Oldies 96.5” KIKO-FM Claypool AZ is being sold in a package deal with the in-market translator 96.5 K243BN Laveen/Phoenix for $2.4 million.

For those in the market, how useful has the 96.5 signal been until now, and will the buyer's intent to operate the two signals synchronously (with the translator fed by an HD subchannel of the parent) make a nice difference? The deal is part of a settlement agreement between the two sellers to eliminate interference caused by the translator to the parent signal.

What do PHX observers think of Oldies 96.5? Claypool is about an hour east of Phoenix, so how well (or marginally) does this full-power FM actually penetrate into the market with any form of a useful signal?

 

[DrAkbar]

Someone overpaid. But hey, they're new to ownership. The translator will cover some gaps, but two marginal signals don't equal one good one.

 

[lanceventa]

For those in the market, how useful has the 96.5 signal been until now, and will the buyer's intent to operate the two signals synchronously (with the translator fed by an HD subchannel of the parent) make a nice difference? The deal is part of a settlement agreement between the two sellers to eliminate interference caused by the translator to the parent signal.

The translator cannot be fed by KIKO-FM. It'll be fed by a third party signal (likely KOOL-HD3 as applied for a month or so ago).

And the KIKO-FM in-market signal is not the priority. The translator is where the population is. This deal ensures they don't interfere with one another.

 

[DrAkbar]

The translator cannot be fed by KIKO-FM. It'll be fed by a third party signal (likely KOOL-HD3 as applied for a month or so ago).

The announced plans of the purchaser is to feed the translator one of KIKO's HD channels, creating duplicated programming over the coverage areas.

And the KIKO-FM in-market signal is not the priority. The translator is where the population is. This deal ensures they don't interfere with one another.

Two million is a hefty price for a directional 50w translator from a so-so tower site.

We'll see.....

 

[EricStein]

Phoenix Area Translator & Rimshot Sold As Combo – RadioInsight reports “Oldies 96.5” KIKO-FM Claypool AZ is being sold in a package deal with the in-market translator 96.5 K243BN Laveen/Phoenix for $2.4 million.

For those in the market, how useful has the 96.5 signal been until now, and will the buyer's intent to operate the two signals synchronously (with the translator fed by an HD subchannel of the parent) make a nice difference? The deal is part of a settlement agreement between the two sellers to eliminate interference caused by the translator to the parent signal.

What do PHX observers think of Oldies 96.5? Claypool is about an hour east of Phoenix, so how well (or marginally) does this full-power FM actually penetrate into the market with any form of a useful signal?
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KIKO-FM is a rimshot signal that has problems in its supposed green coverage area, because they made the antenna horizontal-only to save on transmitter power costs. Making things right would cost the new owners some money.

Akbar is right, the sellers got away with highway robbery.

 

[lanceventa]

The announced plans of the purchaser is to feed the translator one of KIKO's HD channels, creating duplicated programming over the coverage areas.

No it is not. That is considered illegal by the FCC as mutually owned translators cannot extend the reach of its primary beyond its protected contours.

The actual phrasing in the sale contract says, "K243BN will be rebroadcasting an HD channel that in turn will be re-broadcasting KIKO-FM" Bold faced emphasis added by me. K243BN changed its primary signal a month or so ago to KOOL-HD3, making that the likely legal parent. And also adding an HD lease payment to Audacy to the amount they are paying for the stations.

 

[lanceventa]

Two million is a hefty price for a directional 50w translator from a so-so tower site.

While I am surprised by the excessive price as well, and don't see how those promissory notes get paid off, K243BN also has a Construction Permit to increase to 250w/267m which will give it coverage over most of Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria and Scottsdale at least. If the synchronized transmitters work properly, it and KIKO-FM should also give coverage over the East Valley as well.

 

[EricStein]

While I am surprised by the excessive price as well, and don't see how those promissory notes get paid off, K243BN also has a Construction Permit to increase to 250w/267m which will give it coverage over most of Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria and Scottsdale at least. If the synchronized transmitters work properly, it and KIKO-FM should also give coverage over the East Valley as well.

They're going to have to fix the cut corners Low made on building KIKO-FM at 96.5, and put a Circularly Polarized antenna and more powerful transmitter at that site for better East Valley coverage, which will cost them some money. It is an inadequate facility.

 

[DrAkbar]

The actual phrasing in the sale contract says, "K243BN will be rebroadcasting an HD channel that in turn will be re-broadcasting KIKO-FM" Bold faced emphasis added by me. K243BN changed its primary signal a month or so ago to KOOL-HD3, making that the likely legal parent. And also adding an HD lease payment to Audacy to the amount they are paying for the stations.

The deal will allow KIKO-FM (96~Five) to simulcast programming on K243BN (96~Five) by leasing KOOL HD~Three, which in turn feeds K243BN. Audacy plays the role of midwife. There's more creativity here than what Nurse Jeff does to get the Gremlin thru emissions!

 

[seattlesarchiebunker]

There's more creativity here than what Nurse Jeff does to get the Gremlin thru emissions!

Shoot, I figured it was registered at the Media Hut-Kingman Campus. You can drive any old bucket of bolts up there…

 

[Rusty Muck]

While I am surprised by the excessive price as well, and don't see how those promissory notes get paid off, K243BN also has a Construction Permit to increase to 250w/267m which will give it coverage over most of Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria and Scottsdale at least. If the synchronized transmitters work properly, it and KIKO-FM should also give coverage over the East Valley as well.

I'm surprised that a low-power translator could even be engineered as a glorified on-channel booster. This is probably a question/observation for @fybush anyway but even if this worked, I can't imagine how the fringe areas would be...

 

[DrAkbar]

Shoot, I figured it was registered at the Media Hut-Kingman Campus. You can drive any old bucket of bolts up there…

We could camp out at the KIKO studios in Miami and register the Gremlin as a Gila County classic. No need to drive to Kingman. 🤔 Come to think of it...is there ever any need to drive to Kingman?

 

[DrAkbar]

I'm surprised that a low-power translator could even be engineered as a glorified on-channel booster. This is probably a question/observation for @fybush anyway but even if this worked, I can't imagine how the fringe areas would be...

It's a pretty slick way to augment the coverage of KIKO-FM by using a translator on the same frequency. Aint anything else like this in the Valley, but perhaps Professor Fybush knows of similar pairings. Is the combo worth $2m? Guess someone other than Los Buckeye Boyz thinks so.

 

[lanceventa]

It's a pretty slick way to augment the coverage of KIKO-FM by using a translator on the same frequency. Aint anything else like this in the Valley, but perhaps Professor Fybush knows of similar pairings. Is the combo worth $2m? Guess someone other than Los Buckeye Boyz thinks so.

There's a few others out there. Here's a couple examples.

It's pretty much the scenario as to why Chavez bought KAHM, but by just owning the full-powered signal they ensure their translator doesn't get interfered with.

Chavez also has one that does simulcast in Las Vegas with 96.7 KYLI Bunkerville (transmitter actually in Utah) and translator K244EX on the Strat on the Strip.

EMF has something similar with Air 1 in Los Angeles with a pair of rimshots and a translator. 92.7 KYRA Thousand Oaks to the Northwest, 92.7 KYLA Fountain Valley to the south, and K224EY downtown.

All of the translators are fed via another signal to maintain FCC legality.

 

[DrAkbar]

It's pretty much the scenario as to why Chavez bought KAHM, but by just owning the full-powered signal they ensure their translator doesn't get interfered with.

Close, but not co channels: Phoenix translators are 101~Nine, while KAHM, Prescott is 102~One. The Nurse and I were surprised Chavez granted another five year extension on their KAHM LMA last year.

 

[lanceventa]

Close, but not co channels: Phoenix translators are 101~Nine, while KAHM, Prescott is 102~One. The Nurse and I were surprised Chavez granted another five year extension on their KAHM LMA last year.

Which is why I said it was "pretty much the scenario"... The other two are exact similarities to what 96.5 will be.

 

[Outlaw]

They're going to have to fix the cut corners Low made on building KIKO-FM at 96.5, and put a Circularly Polarized antenna and more powerful transmitter at that site for better East Valley coverage, which will cost them some money. It is an inadequate facility.

I think the biggest issue with KIKO 96.5 upgrading to a circular antenna is there is not enough space on their tower (as a directional toward Phoenix) as it is mostly occupied by the KQMR 100.3 antenna. Maybe the buyer can move KIKO FM to the old KQMR tower near Sulphide Del Rey campground, just needs a new generator.

 

[inari]

Wow the buyer over paid by at least $1 million.

I wonder if this was the "full market signal" for Phoenix I saw being pitched several months ago.

 

[DrAkbar]

Wow the buyer over paid by at least $1 million.

I wonder if this was the "full market signal" for Phoenix I saw being pitched several months ago.

The TSS (Travis Smiley Syndrome) strikes again!

 

[kwthom]

We could camp out at the KIKO studios in Miami and register the Gremlin as a Gila County classic. No need to drive to Kingman. 🤔 Come to think of it...is there ever any need to drive to Kingman?

Most direct way to Lost Wages, but would the Gremlin make it that high in elevation at this time of year?

Remember those signs when headed east from the Old Gringo's place...