Streets 102.9?

[jal41]

Apparently...from further reading, Clark Atlanta is not involved. The owners of this "Streetz" have apparently leased WWVA-HD2 from Clear Channel. This still is an OK arrangement in the eyes of the FCC (the owner of a translator does not have to be the owner of the parent station, you just have to air simulcast from another AM, FM, or HD station brought in by means other than satellite). I assume WCLK was only used for testing purposes. Makes no since that they would use WCLK, and not WWVA for testing (language?).

I assume this arrangement is cheaper than leasing a full-power signal, and it would seem like there is less FCC red tape to deal with (assuming they are also leasing the translator, which appears to be the case). However, given the format and arrangement, I wonder how long before we hear the "F" word on 102.9 by someone who is hired with no training on FCC regulations? It just seems this arrangement is ripe for disaster on that front, but at the same time opening up some doors for minority and other broadcasters.

 

[RoddyFreeman]

I heard from a friend who's well connected with Radio One that R1 is suing the owners of Streetz 102.9. I don't know on what grounds they're suing.

 

[ShawtyBlack_ATL]

Apparently...from further reading, Clark Atlanta is not involved. The owners of this "Streetz" have apparently leased WWVA-HD2 from Clear Channel. This still is an OK arrangement in the eyes of the FCC (the owner of a translator does not have to be the owner of the parent station, you just have to air simulcast from another AM, FM, or HD station brought in by means other than satellite). I assume WCLK was only used for testing purposes. Makes no since that they would use WCLK, and not WWVA for testing (language?).

I assume this arrangement is cheaper than leasing a full-power signal, and it would seem like there is less FCC red tape to deal with (assuming they are also leasing the translator, which appears to be the case). However, given the format and arrangement, I wonder how long before we hear the "F" word on 102.9 by someone who is hired with no training on FCC regulations? It just seems this arrangement is ripe for disaster on that front, but at the same time opening up some doors for minority and other broadcasters.

Jal41, i've heard the "F" word on the big time Urban stations plenty of times in songs and by on air jocks. It'll be interesting to see if this station even add jocks considering the spotty coverage. I heard a drop say "commercial free, 12 in a row," so im assuming the comercials and jocks maybe on soon. Wonder who's the actual owners?

I heard from a friend who's well connected with Radio One that R1 is suing the owners of Streetz 102.9. I don't know on what grounds they're suing.

Wow, didn't see this coming. Only thing I can see Radio One suing Streetz 102.9 is for the slogan "WE R HIP-HOP." Radio One's HOT 102.7 once used that same slogan. Maybe a former HOT 107.9 jock is aboard STREETZ and Radio One is using anything to come up on some quick cash.

 

[txchipk]

Apparently...from further reading, Clark Atlanta is not involved. The owners of this "Streetz" have apparently leased WWVA-HD2 from Clear Channel. This still is an OK arrangement in the eyes of the FCC (the owner of a translator does not have to be the owner of the parent station, you just have to air simulcast from another AM, FM, or HD station brought in by means other than satellite). I assume WCLK was only used for testing purposes. Makes no since that they would use WCLK, and not WWVA for testing (language?).

I assume this arrangement is cheaper than leasing a full-power signal, and it would seem like there is less FCC red tape to deal with (assuming they are also leasing the translator, which appears to be the case).

FM translators cannot originate programming...they have to relay a full station. So, having WWVA-HD2 creates an "originating" station for the translator to rebroadcast.

The correct calls of the 102.9 translator is actually W275BK. Coverage area: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=FX1294105.html.

Since most people don't have a HD radio, using the HD2 signals as originating stations to turn translators into new stations is fairly new (and translators don't count against ownership caps...so, they are a backdoor way to create a new signal). Cumulus started it when it used a FM translator in Harrisburg PA (W237DE 95.3) to relay their urban AC AM station there. They later changed the AM station to sports. To keep the new "95.3 the Touch" on the air, WNNK 104.1HD2 became the "originator" for the format. The FCC has been OK with it.

Since then, Clear Channel has used a FM translator in Tulsa to create "Chrome 93.5," an oldies channel off their KQLL-FM 106.1HD2. Group owner Saga has been aggressive on this front. In Asheville, their WOXL 96.5HD2's AAA format is on W251AO 98.1 as "98.1 the River." They've also done this in Manchester/Concord NH, Ithaca NY, and Keene NH.

 

[ShawtyBlack_ATL]

Apparently...from further reading, Clark Atlanta is not involved. The owners of this "Streetz" have apparently leased WWVA-HD2 from Clear Channel. This still is an OK arrangement in the eyes of the FCC (the owner of a translator does not have to be the owner of the parent station, you just have to air simulcast from another AM, FM, or HD station brought in by means other than satellite). I assume WCLK was only used for testing purposes. Makes no since that they would use WCLK, and not WWVA for testing (language?).

I assume this arrangement is cheaper than leasing a full-power signal, and it would seem like there is less FCC red tape to deal with (assuming they are also leasing the translator, which appears to be the case).

FM translators cannot originate programming...they have to relay a full station. So, having WWVA-HD2 creates an "originating" station for the translator to rebroadcast.

The correct calls of the 102.9 translator is actually W275BK. Coverage area: http://www.fcc.gov/fcc-bin/FMTV-service-area?x=FX1294105.html.

Since most people don't have a HD radio, using the HD2 signals as originating stations to turn translators into new stations is fairly new (and translators don't count against ownership caps...so, they are a backdoor way to create a new signal). Cumulus started it when it used a FM translator in Harrisburg PA (W237DE 95.3) to relay their urban AC AM station there. They later changed the AM station to sports. To keep the new "95.3 the Touch" on the air, WNNK 104.1HD2 became the "originator" for the format. The FCC has been OK with it.

Since then, Clear Channel has used a FM translator in Tulsa to create "Chrome 93.5," an oldies channel off their KQLL-FM 106.1HD2. Group owner Saga has been aggressive on this front. In Asheville, their WOXL 96.5HD2's AAA format is on W251AO 98.1 as "98.1 the River." They've also done this in Manchester/Concord NH, Ithaca NY, and Keene NH.

Im no radio tech, so at the end of the day does Clear Channel own STREETZ 102.9?

 

[Nate Wesley]

I think its a Pirate or student station.. no way they can beat V and Hot,, and does The Beat even count as an Urban station,,, The beat is more COMP to Star and Q..... Why Cant Atlanta have a dance station or a True CHR,,,, the Urban niche is filled well with HOT being the best,, V being Heritage, and The Beat being the black station for White Boys...... If they have a stream, a good signal, and get some good jocks, they may force The Beat into a dance or true CHR,,, but I dont think they will touch the loyal fan base of Hot or V..........

'Streetz' isn't going to 'beat' anyone. They are not going to force anyone to change formats, they don't have the signal to match any of the established players. But 'Streetz' won't really need to match any of the established players.

Again, hip-hop and contemporary R&B is so popular in metro Atlanta that they'll attract listeners from folks who already like V, Hot, Kiss, Majic, and even The Beat. They probably aren't going to invest in a lot of paid on-air talent or a fancy morning show. Merely showing up in the ratings will allow this non-corporate outfit to sell hyper-localized and cheap advertising (assuming they're allowed)--they can probably do quite nicely on P3 and P4+ listening.

 

[Nate Wesley]

Im no radio tech, so at the end of the day does Clear Channel own STREETZ 102.9?

I'm not absolutely certain on that front. But it's a given that Cox, CBS, and R1 would never have okayed an HD2-to-translator arrangement like this with a format so similar to one of their full-power stations. Clear Channel has no urban station, and yet they probably wouldn't mind some sliver of audience being taken from the outfits that do.

 

[Mid West Clubber]

Yeah this signal I hear from a friend is pretty much NON Existant...There is a Reggae Pirate on 98.9 with a better signal....

 

[ShawtyBlack_ATL]

Yeah this signal I hear from a friend is pretty much NON Existant...There is a Reggae Pirate on 98.9 with a better signal....

BLAZIN 98.9 Wow, ATL is covered with Urban radio flavor.

 

[AJ JAM]

Out here in Douglasville...this signal is VERY strong!!