POSSIBLE SAVANNAH SHAKE-UP TO HELP JACKSONVILLE

[Rick Rose 2.0]

While I only see an application affecting 94.1 in the Jacksonville market it appears that 94.1 and 95.5 in Savannah will swap facilities. Currently 94.1 Savannah is a C0 and 95.5 Savannah is a C1 but the 94.1 Fruit Cove FL application states that WIXV Savannah would move to 94.1 and WQBT would move to 95.5fm. This would make 95.5 the C0 and 94.1 the C1 making room for an upgrade in Jacksonville. I do not know what would happen with formats since 94.1 is CC&E and 95.5 is Cumulus.

 

[htowler]

Hmm I-95 to become I-94? That doesn't sound right. 95.5 the beat wouldn't be a problem.

 

[upstate29651]

There's absolutely no guarantee this will happen. It's all speculation at this time; a "wish list" from Renda as it were. As I stated on the NFL board, Renda will have to pay BIG for the move of WIXV. There's tremendous value in what's quite possibly the most (currently) well known radio brand in Savannah: I-95.

G

 

[cscott]

Maybe well known but no longer popular....this brand is like so many other crusty classic rockers out there in Southeast metros like Savannah....tired, worn and fading fast. Dont underestimate the Cumulus guys interest in being lured into a fast-cash frequency flip. BUT...CC has more to lose than Cumulus as QBT is seriously contending with E. I doubt this will ever happen but it wont be due to Cumulus' fear they might lose some equity with this very weak brand called I95.....Craig Scott

 

[Poledo]

This proposal is so confusing. It's also very odd that it was filed without the implied consent of CC or Cumulus. In my mind's eye I can only imagine this playing out as laid out on paper if Cumulus or CC purchases 94.1 in Jacksonville.
Is it possible Renda filed this app to show companies interested in buying a Jax radio station what could be done with 94.1 if Cumulus and CC were willing (paid) to play ball? Did Renda just use an FCC app to advertise their Jax 94.1 signal is for sale without putting a price on the signal?... looking to see what the market would be willing to pay?

 

[jmtillery]

One of the arguments made in the application is there will be a 300,000 + listener increase within the proposed C2 60 dBu service contour. However, the majority of the increased popluation count comes from Jacksonville which is already well served by 22-local FM stations and 16-local AM stations or 38-voices while Fruit Cove has one local voice. This proposal is very different from the previous Renda frequency move involving WGNE.

Several years ago Renda applied for and was successfully granted a petition for rulemaking to re-license WGNE 99.9 C from Palatka to Middleburg as Middleburg's first local service. This involved moving a second adjacent channal (100.1 C2) in Statesboro, Georgia further North with a COL change and a downgrade in 99.9 to a C1 to make the move technically possible. The end result was the Georga station was able to take advantage of a class upgrade to C1. In this move all parties got what they wanted: a class upgrade for 100.1 and a market upgrade for 99.9. The current application and logic argued to the FCC to involuntarily or force an out of market station in Savannah to downgrade so a small market FM can move to an already over saturated Jacksonvile radio market is very different from the previous Palatka / Middleburg Petition for Rulemaking, Notice or Proposed Rulemaking and ultimate Final Order. I'm also not quite sure how 95.5 Savannah plays into the current proposed involuntary changes considering the only channel that is holding up the works is 94.1 C Savannah. If this was a voluntary move and all licensees are in agreement, I can see how the Cumulus station may play a major role in the proposal.

I'm sure there may be some underlying issues regarding this proposal that the rest of us are not aware and has not been made public via the FCC public records.

 

[Poledo]

There is an almost identical thread on this topic on the North Florida board. I don't know which market this app has a more significant impact on but it would be nice to combine the two threads.

 

[fybush]

At least in theory, Renda doesn't need the consent of CC or Cumulus to make this happen. It's being done with what's called a "show cause" order - two of them, actually. The FCC will generally issue such orders if the party requesting them can show that they require the affected station to change frequency but not to take a downgrade. As long as the requesting party certifies its willingness to compensate the affected station for all costs (which usually includes not just modifications to the transmitter and antenna but also at least some cash for promotional expenses), the FCC will issue the order, which literally compels the affected station to "show cause" why it shouldn't have to move.

In this case, a careful read of the WSOS-FM application shows that they've found a way to keep both of the Savannah stations on their existing classes simply by swapping frequencies: the present 95.5C1 there would (IIRC) go to 94.1C1 while the 94.1C would go to 95.5C. (I haven't checked this out to be certain, but I have a hunch 95.5C now fits in Savannah because of the move of Athens' 95.5 closer in to Atlanta and thus away from Savannah, in which case Cox may actually have had an inadvertent hand in giving itself a smidge more competition in Jacksonville.)

In any event, the onus would be on CC and Cumulus to demonstrate to the FCC that their Savannah signals would somehow be impaired by being moved to each other's frequency while retaining their existing coverage areas.

As for the issue of "an already over saturated Jacksonville radio market," I trust counselor Tillery is up on the current FCC move-in rules? The latest incarnation, adopted two years or so back, imposes some fairly stiff tests on any attempt to move service into an "urbanized area" from outside that area. Were it in effect now, it would probably have barred Renda from moving 99.9 from Palatka to Middleburg. But the flip side is that the FCC doesn't concern itself as much now with moves within an urbanized area. In this case, WSOS-FM isn't even proposing a COL change (which is usually what triggers this rule), but in any event its current COL of Fruit Cove is in St. John's County, which is already considered part of the Jacksonville urbanized area.

I don't think there's anything more to this beyond what's already on file with the FCC: the Commission has the power to compel an involuntary frequency move if it deems it necessary to advance the 307(b) mandate for equitable distribution of broadcast service; Renda has made a case that by upgrading WSOS-FM, it can add additional service to 300,000-plus listeners within the urbanized area it already serves without reducing any existing service in Savannah; and barring some technical flaw in the Renda filing, the next step will probably be the "show cause" order asking CC and Cumulus if there's any reason why they shouldn't be compelled to change frequencies.

 

[jmtillery]

... I trust counselor Tillery is up on the current FCC move-in rules?

Thank you for asking the question. And, yes, I am fully aware of all the FCC rules. I also thank you for reminding me of the newer rules regarding “move-ins” and similar licensee proposals which reminds me of a similar situation I was directly involved several years ago involving a new Florida FM allocation.

A client I was representing had petitioned the FCC to allot a new full class C FM which was fairly straightforward; however, in order to get the allocation, we needed to move a co-channel class C1 two channels down. Since the C1 channel move was not greater than two channels away from its licensed frequency, the move could have been accomplished using a one-step application process as opposed to a more complicated filing window had we needed to move the C1 to the other end of the FM broadcast spectrum.

Regarding the Savannah / Jacksonville proposal, let me make it very clear that I have nothing to gain or lose either way the FCC rules on the proposal, and although you are absolutely correct in your assessment regarding the Commission rules and how said rules apply to the current application for PRM involving WSOS-FM, WQBT and WIXV, I can think of multiple arguments, two of which will stop it dead in its tracks, should CC or Cumulus decide to use said arguments to deny Renda’s petition for PRM. I won’t go into any details as I’m sure all the respective attorneys representing each of the respective licensees have already considered every possible consideration. Regardless of how the Commission rules on this proposal, it is going to be very time consuming and costly. I wish Renda all the best in its quest to improve WSOS-FM.

 

[acheron1982]

I had to read this about 10 times to comprehend everything :

Regardless, I really hope whatever happens does not force I-95 format over to 94.1. Even though 95.5 is weaker than 94.1, for some odd reason, here in Vidalia, we actually get 95.5 better (barely) than 94.1. If 94.1 was to drop the signal or height some, we would be officially screwed in terms of a audible rock station.

 

[faaradar]

I had to read this about 10 times to comprehend everything :

Regardless, I really hope whatever happens does not force I-95 format over to 94.1. Even though 95.5 is weaker than 94.1, for some odd reason, here in Vidalia, we actually get 95.5 better (barely) than 94.1. If 94.1 was to drop the signal or height some, we would be officially screwed in terms of a audible rock station.

I-95 needs to "retire" just like Rock 1045 in Jax.

 

[acheron1982]

Or at least update their playlist. Way too small and plays the same classic rock songs over and over. Not a very adventurous rock station at all sticking with the same gold hits over and over and over.

Would be nice if they went more alternative in their format but that would never happen with the heritage format and name.

If they are going to stay mainly classic rock, they need to update the playlist. Even their facebook page is boring with every single status update seeming like a commercial. Way to much by the book.

 

[htowler]

Instead of 94.1 and 95.5 Swapping frequencies. Couldn't 94.1 be weakend and 95.5 strengthened and cumulus pay CC for the stronger signal? Done deal?

 

[rcombs]

Not with the antenna height they are at now. 94.1 would have to move to 1000' or below for the Jacksonville deal to work.

 

[Poledo]

Why hasn't 95.5 ever applied for a C0 license? Is there some reason they were content with C1?

 

[upstate29651]

Not with the antenna height they are at now. 94.1 would have to move to 1000' or below for the Jacksonville deal to work.

I can't see CC going along with that, unless Renda is prepared to pony up some serious cash. Also if downgraded, wouldn't 94.1 lose its status as primary EAS?

G

 

[secondchoice]

Also if downgraded, wouldn't 94.1 lose its status as primary EAS?

G

Not necessarily, It depends, if their signal strength is still enough to activated the "downstream stations" it might not matter. I am not sure of the rules but if 94.1's signal will not work, and no other station will take the "primary EAS" then there might be an issue. I had always heard one of the advantages of being a primary EAS station was the FCC sometimes would cut you some slack.

Cash might not enter the equation if Renda can do a favor for CC in another market.

 

[jmtillery]

If it has already been determind that 95.5 C1 can upgrade to a C0, then all Cumulus has to do is file for a class upgrade from a C1 to C0 while 94.1 remains where it is as a C0. At that point a channel swap is useless for the Jacksonville intended purposes and the involuntary petition will become dead in its tracks. Any chance of downgrading 94.1 Savannah from that point forward will be by negotiation which I don't see coming to fruition.

 

[acheron1982]

So are we still hearing rumors that the formats of 95.5 and 94.1 will switch? Also, I see all this "if they downgrade a signal" talk for an upgrade in Jacksonville but why not move towers further northwest of Savannah so that Jacksonville is not impacted. Seems a waste that all the 100k stations have half their signal over open waters over the Atlantic anyway. Why not set up these towers in Statesboro (away from the coast) while still having the main 60db signal through the heart of Savannah.

 

[jmtillery]

So are we still hearing rumors that the formats of 95.5 and 94.1 will switch? Also, I see all this "if they downgrade a signal" talk for an upgrade in Jacksonville but why not move towers further northwest of Savannah so that Jacksonville is not impacted. Seems a waste that all the 100k stations have half their signal over open waters over the Atlantic anyway. Why not set up these towers in Statesboro (away from the coast) while still having the main 60db signal through the heart of Savannah.

While in theory your suggestion may make some good business sense, regarding having a 60dBu signal over Savannah is not acceptable since all commercially licensed FM stations are required to place a minimum 70dBU signal over a minimum 80% of the city of license. Secondly, moving towers is expensive, especially when you are talking about 1,000 + foot new tower construction. As a direct result, the Jacksonville station's gain does not justify the Savannah stations' cost.