And just the same in Charlotte, I guess Jefferson-Pilot wanted out of the broadcast business and sold off WBT and WBTV to different entities. But nevertheless a great broadcast legacy remains at One Julian Price Place, but the radio and TV stations are now different companies. I still wonder if Radio One will keep WBT, as conservative talk doesn't seem their primary format.
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Things don't look good for Urban 1
- Thread starter Mike Sheridan
- Start date
At the time it was thought that Cox would not be able to add any more radio stations in Charlotte since they owned an AM, FM and VHF TV. Cox sold WSOC AM to Bible Broadcasting and traded WSOC-FM to EZ Communications for WHQT in Miami. That made WSOC-FM and WEZC sister stations.
t123
I never followed Cox closely, but were not radio, TV and newspaper in separate corporations? That would explain why each took its own road.
Considering they recently acquired 93.1 WIBC in Indianapolis, which I believe is quite successful, if anything it seems like they're increasing their holdings. I'd imagine they're using stations like WBT and WIBC, both well established conservative talk stations to get their feet wet with the format. Heck, prior to this they tried All News in Houston, so a news/talk oriented format isn't entirely that new to them.
I think the Cox family kept the AJC newspaper but the radio and TV stations were sold to Apollo investment firm, which now owns the Cox Media broadcast stations. There is a recent proposed merger of Cox Media and Tegna TV stations, but that may not have been approved. Not sure of the current status. But despite recent setbacks, Beasley seems to be doing a decent job with 103.7 as a legacy country station, although they rarely mention the legacy WSOC-FM call letters anymore.
The former WEZC, actually. It was WMXC Mix 104.7 by that time.
WEZC was the station that became 102.9 The Lake. And those letters were gone not long after the WSOC deal.
Tegna isn't allowed to combine with Cox because they compete in Atlants, Jacksonville, Charlotte and Seattle
Cox radio and TV were owned by separate divisions within Cox. That could be a reason. WSOC-FM was traded for a FM in Miami where Cox already owned several radio stations. They built a cluster which thrives under their ownership to this day.
While not as strong as the FM's and WBT, WSOC-AM 930 along with WFNZ (formerly WAYS), are tied for second with 5,000 watts day and 1,000 watts night directional. As the Charlotte market has grown people have moved out of the coverage area set up many years ago.
Today WFNZ and WBT are owned by Urban One while AM 930 is WYFQ the flagship station for Bible Broadcast Network.
Cox was a good company to work for, and Jefferson Pilot was even better.
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WFNZ has quite a signal, even at night, according to Radio-locator. It is so strong where I live I assumed the best signal was pointed right at me, but that's not the case.
Radio-Locator is inaccurate for FM’s outside of the rough 60dbu, but it’s extremely inaccurate for AM’s with the increased noise floor, interference, and cheaper AM tuners being manufactured today. Same with the FCC’s, they’re really just good for seeing the directionality. I’m supposed to be able to get over a dozen AM stations according to them but I can only get the one local one.
Back when WFNZ was owned by CBS they did a major update to the ground system. I wouldn't be surprised if they installed a new transmitter too.
WYFQ could probably be a better signal if they did the same. I don't recall Cox ever working on the ground system. I do believe they installed a new transmitter before the sale to BBN. BBN could stand to pump up the modulation a bit, that would help.
WGFY 1480 sounds better. Disney worked on it when they owned WGFY but they couldn't get it right. The noise floor on 1480 at night is horrible. I believe WHVN 1240 is diplexed with WGFY.
Urban One reported their financials, satisfying the requirements of NASDAQ.
radioink.com
Radio Revenue Led The Way In Urban One's 2022 Q4 - Radio Ink
After a significant delay that almost saw the company delisted from Nasdaq, Urban One has reported its results for the fourth quarter of 2022.
radioink.com
According to the article they cut operating costs by 6 million. How did they do that?Urban One reported their financials, satisfying the requirements of NASDAQ.
Radio Revenue Led The Way In Urban One's 2022 Q4 - Radio Ink
After a significant delay that almost saw the company delisted from Nasdaq, Urban One has reported its results for the fourth quarter of 2022.
correct....
This explains it.
radioink.com
Urban One Parts Ways With BDO After Accounting Snafus - Radio Ink
After problems surrounding a delayed disclosure of Urban One's 2022 earnings, the company is changing accounting firms to Ernst and Young.
radioink.com
Actually WSOC-FM was traded not sold to get WHQT Hot 105.1 to build up their Miami cluster. Miami/Fort Lauderdale is a much bigger market and probably makes a lot more cash. WSOC-AM was sold to Bible Broadcast Network since it could no longer compete with WBT and the many FM's that moved in from nearby cities. The move ins included 95.7, 96.1, 96.9, 97.9, 99.7, 102.9, recently 92.7, 100.9, 105.3, 106.1, and 106.5. That is a lot to compete with!
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