WFRW Sold

[theradiokid]

Harold Camping's Family Stations, INC. has sold 88.1 WFRW (Webster) to EMF. This station, along with 2 others in TX, and CA, are estimated to be selling for a combined $655000.

Given that this is, for all intensive purposes, a major story, I am quite surprised that no one has yet to post on these boards about this -- seeing as the news broke Tuesday morning via radioinsight.

Now, if I may, I'd like to begin speculation. We know that there are 2 options that 88.1 could go:
1. "K-Love."
2. "Air1."

My guess is that they will probably dump "K-Love" off of Rochester market WKDL (104.9 Brockport), and place it on 88.1, thinking that the station reaches Rochester. (It only, in fact, reaches the eastern suburbs.) Then, "Air1" will go to 104.9.

However, it has been argued that because 104.9 actually hits Rochester, and 88.1 does not, "Air1" will end up on 88.1 because EMF wants "K-Love" to be heard in the bigger cities.

However, we also know that, as a rule, EMF tries to place "K-Love" on the bigger signals. 88.1 is a B1, and 104.9 is an A.

Therefore, my prediction is that 88.1 will become "K-Love," and listeners of 104.9 will have to start breathing some "Air1."

Thoughts?...

--The Radio Kid
(Oswego, NY.)
My email: [email protected].

 

[Ed Trefzger]

I don't think WFRW has a strong enough signal into Rochester for them to want to move K-LOVE only onto that stick. The two signals really don't overlap. WFRW does have a local signal over Ontario and Wayne counties, so my best guess is K-LOVE on WFRW, giving them coverage where WKDL doesn't reach.

But I do think Air1 would find an audience here.

(Side note: Not to be too pedantic, but it's "all intents and purposes.")

 

[JakeLongwell]

I have to agree with Ed. 88.1 is, by far, more of a Finger Lakes signal than a Rochester one. Why Family Radio built it back in the 80s is beyond me, unless they were hoping to somehow upgrade the facility to reach Rochester proper. My money is on K-Love appearing on 88.1 to try and fill in some of the area between their Rochester and Syracuse (Pulaski, actually) signals. Either way. it's a waste of a perfectly good non-comm signal that blankets much of the Finger Lakes. I will say this, though. I'm pretty sure the K-Love programming will attract far more listeners than the Family Radio programming ever did in the 25 plus years they were on that stick.

The only way I could see them using 88.1 as a Rochester affiliate for one of their networks is if they could somehow procure a translator closer to the city, and have 88.1 as its primary.

The next question is, will EMF end up with Family Radio's other WNY property. Namely, WFBF (89.9 Buffalo). I wouldn't be surprised to see that come to pass eventually.