Rest of Colorado Western Colorado University to go entirely online with its radio operation

[Mark Roberts]

A couple of reports that Western Colorado University, a small institution in Gunnison, will discontinue radio broadcasting on KWSB-FM and rely on streaming instead:

KWSB To Convert To Streaming Only

Western Colorado University will transition student-run 91.1 KWSB Gunnison CO to a streaming-only platform.

radioinsight.com

Colorado radio station ending FM signal after 57 years

After 57 years, the station moves to streaming-only.

www.9news.com

The 9News story gives the name of the streaming website as kwsb.org, but that site doesn't appear to exist.

The university's announcement quoted in these stories doesn't, at this time, appear on its website. There's no indication of the timeline for ceasing over-the-air operations, or for whether the station will be sold or simply given up. KWSB-FM has been on the air since 1968.

On 91.1 MHz with 135 watts, KWSB-FM covers Gunnison, a city of about 6,000 people, and nearby areas of the Gunnison Valley. On FM, Gunnison is mostly served by stations in Gunnison and Crested Butte, including two Colorado Public Radio translators (News and Classical) and a K-Love translator. Some Montrose signals are receivable as well.

 

[TheBigA]

A couple of reports that Western Colorado University, a small institution in Gunnison, will discontinue radio broadcasting on KWSB-FM and rely on streaming instead:

The thing I like about this announcement is the university is being honest. So often I read them say things about "lack of student interest" or various other negative generalizations. The fact is that running an FM station is expensive, and that money is better spent elsewhere. There was a time when having a pip-squeak FM station was something a school could use to attract students. Not anymore. Especially if the school doesn't have a dedicated curriculum to tie in with the expense. There are lots of other colleges in Colorado where students can go if this is their interest. No reason for every college to have it's own FM station. The question is if there's any interest from any of those other groups you listed at the end of your post.

 

[ted chittenden]

The thing I like about this announcement is the university is being honest. So often I read them say things about "lack of student interest" or various other negative generalizations. The fact is that running an FM station is expensive, and that money is better spent elsewhere. There was a time when having a pip-squeak FM station was something a school could use to attract students. Not anymore. Especially if the school doesn't have a dedicated curriculum to tie in with the expense. There are lots of other colleges in Colorado where students can go if this is their interest. No reason for every college to have it's own FM station. The question is if there's any interest from any of those other groups you listed at the end of your post.

Well, the Crested Butte public radio station (KBUT) is off of that list as it has a full power simulcaster at 88.7 mHz (KGNI). That said, Colorado Public Radio (CPR) might be interested in the 91.1 frequency to carry its news and talk network.

 

[Mark Roberts]

The thing I like about this announcement is the university is being honest. So often I read them say things about "lack of student interest" or various other negative generalizations. The fact is that running an FM station is expensive, and that money is better spent elsewhere.

That's pretty much what the university is reported to have said. It's a small university and, in a time when costs keep spiraling upwards, they have to think about these things very carefully.

The question is if there's any interest from any of those other groups you listed at the end of your post.

Well, the Crested Butte public radio station (KBUT) is off of that list as it has a full power simulcaster at 88.7 mHz (KGNI). That said, Colorado Public Radio (CPR) might be interested in the 91.1 frequency to carry its news and talk network.

KBUT/KGNI also carries some of the same NPR programs that CPR does, plus CPR News already has a translator in Gunnison. KWSB is a little more powerful than the translator (135 watts versus 44 watts). To cover most of the population in that area, though, you don't need a lot of power; otherwise, you're broadcasting to a lot of unoccupied land. I suppose there's an outside chance CPR would think about it for the Indie 102.3 network, but I doubt CPR is considering expansion right now, due to the loss of federal funding. Likewise for KUNC, which has some Western Slope translators but which faces the same pressures as CPR on a smaller listener base.

I think it's unlikely that CPR will come up with a deal similar to what it has with KRCC in Colorado Springs, where CPR runs the station but the owner, Colorado College, retains the license. In this case, it's pretty clear that Western Colorado University does not want the compliance and other burdens of having a license. The result, then, is likely to be either a sale or turning in the license rather than any kind of joint venture.

What's not clear is whether the university will try to sell KWSB-FM or just turn in the license. My guess (and let me clearly state that this is a guess) is that the radio station will keep operating this semester and then will cease afterwards.

 

[TheBigA]

My guess (and let me clearly state that this is a guess) is that the radio station will keep operating this semester and then will cease afterwards.

This is an area of expertise for one of the moderators here: @fybush

My guess is that the station is too low in power and the market is too small to be of interest. But it's worth asking.

 

[valvashon]

They could save a few dollars by putting the transmitter/antenna on campus rather than pay tower rent. Other than that I'm not sure what's so expensive about a college radio station. Having a broadcast facility lends legitimacy to a streaming operation, IMHO.

 

[ted chittenden]

Well, the Crested Butte public radio station (KBUT) is off of that list as it has a full power simulcaster at 88.7 mHz (KGNI). That said, Colorado Public Radio (CPR) might be interested in the 91.1 frequency to carry its news and talk network.

After a good(?) night's sleep, I've concluded that the most likely religious purchaser (assuming the college is open to sell) would be the owners of KTLF, the Pueblo-based operation that is determined to fill the state of Colorado with its primary signal. While the station does have a translator in Gunnison, I'm willing to bet that it would love a full power signal in the town.

 

[TheBigA]

They could save a few dollars by putting the transmitter/antenna on campus rather than pay tower rent. Other than that I'm not sure what's so expensive about a college radio station.

Legal fees, license fees, engineering fees, operational fees, maintenance fees, insurance, etc....

 

[SomeRadioGuy]

Legal fees, license fees, engineering fees, operational fees, maintenance fees, insurance, etc....

just maintaining a public file can be kind of daunting for non radio people..and the legalities of messing that up and the enusing fines or legal fees from your attorney.

I maintained the public file at KSKO ok, but it was daunting still to remember to have stuff in on time, etc.... once i learned thought nerdy boring nosiness that we no longer had to maintain one online or on paper for KSKO, we dropped it like a hot potato

 

[Mark Roberts]

After a good(?) night's sleep, I've concluded that the most likely religious purchaser (assuming the college is open to sell) would be the owners of KTLF, the Pueblo-based operation that is determined to fill the state of Colorado with its primary signal. While the station does have a translator in Gunnison, I'm willing to bet that it would love a full power signal in the town.

Minor point: KTLF is based in Colorado Springs. Pueblo is a whole other thing.

They could save a few dollars by putting the transmitter/antenna on campus rather than pay tower rent.

Western Colorado University owns the tower that the station is on, a short tower on elevated terrain.

Other than that I'm not sure what's so expensive about a college radio station.

Legal fees, license fees, engineering fees, operational fees, maintenance fees, insurance, etc....

Most particularly, faculty and staff time and attention.

 

[TheBigA]

Most particularly, faculty and staff time and attention.

Time is money. It's also a distraction from the core mission. An online station runs itself and isn't beholden to FCC rules.

 

[b-turner]

Another advantage of online versus on air is lyrics of some songs that could get them unwanted attention. The Public File is often an issue. Things like renewing the license can be an issue. Imagine having to renew your drivers license before exactly 4 months before your birhday or face a potential fine.

 

[Mediafrog+]

Minor point: KTLF is based in Colorado Springs.

Looks like they have four different formats using HD subchannels, and they all stream. Are any on separate analog signals?

Home

Keeping The Lord First

ktlf.radio

 

[Mark Roberts]

Looks like they have four different formats using HD subchannels, and they all stream. Are any on separate analog signals?

Home

Keeping The Lord First

ktlf.radio

The KTLF program guide has the complete list of stations and formats: https://ktlf.radio/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/KTLF-Program-Guide.pdf

Colorado Springs has all four formats on analog signals. The only mention of HD is for Denver, where KQMT-HD3 feeds a translator. The arrangement also means that Audacy is still running an all-comedy format on KQMT-HD2.

Edit: 6 pm TOH ID, from listening online, indicates that Legacy is on KTLF-HD2 as well as a translator in Colorado Springs. Otherwise, all but one of the Legacy stations is a translator. The music on Legacy sounds rather different from the typical CCM playlist: mellower and almost like a version of soft adult contemporary.

 

[SomeRadioGuy]

Looks like they have four different formats using HD subchannels, and they all stream. Are any on separate analog signals?

Home

Keeping The Lord First

ktlf.radio

The KTLF program guide has the complete list of stations and formats: https://ktlf.radio/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/KTLF-Program-Guide.pdf

Colorado Springs has all four formats on analog signals. The only mention of HD is for Denver, where KQMT-HD3 feeds a translator. The arrangement also means that Audacy is still running an all-comedy format on KQMT-HD2.

Edit: 6 pm TOH ID, from listening online, indicates that Legacy is on KTLF-HD2 as well as a translator in Colorado Springs. Otherwise, all but one of the Legacy stations is a translator. The music on Legacy sounds rather different from the typical CCM playlist: mellower and almost like a version of soft adult contemporary.

and one point, all of their formats, i think were on some type of over the air, even if it was HD

I'd seen the KTDX transmitter site, which used to be The light's main channel format but they sold it to Havre, MT Based Your network of praise.

I think alot of the KTLF satellitor signals are internet delivered. KTDX was