Who will be the new home for ESPN Radio for Tampa Bay?

[Louis_009]

Since we all know that WHBO-AM 1040 is dropping ESPN in October and 98.7 is flip to FM Sports Talk in August where will ESPN Radio will move to a new home to??? take a guess...

 

[ok walters]

Nowhere. They won't be on in Tampa. Or Orlando.

 

[DToTheJ]

... for now. You've got to wonder if ESPN is jonesing to purchase a signal in Orlando (a.k.a. the backyard of "the Magic Kingdom"). Yes, they're accustomed to owning stations in major markets, but this market in particular is important to the Worldwide Leader. As for Tampa, I can see ESPN returning via an FM translator, because I can't see any station in the market making the switch, other than perhaps the Dove - which would only be for demo purposes, but they're probably not going anywhere.

 

[badjef]

... for now. You've got to wonder if ESPN is jonesing to purchase a signal in Orlando (a.k.a. the backyard of "the Magic Kingdom"). Yes, they're accustomed to owning stations in major markets, but this market in particular is important to the Worldwide Leader. As for Tampa, I can see ESPN returning via an FM translator, because I can't see any station in the market making the switch, other than perhaps the Dove - which would only be for demo purposes, but they're probably not going anywhere.

Who says they have to buy a signal?

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!

 

[ok walters]

They have 990 in Orlando at 50kw with Radio Disney. Never understood the AM radio for kids concept.

An FM translator needs to rebroadcast an existing signal, so that is not an option. Can't think of anyone who will want to clear that much airtime AND pay ESPN as well.

 

[JoeBlow]

ESPN Radio is going to 1250 WHNZ.

Bank it.

 

[jmtillery]

An FM translator may rebroadcast an FM HD2 signal. To put it another way, if ESPN Radio were to move to one of the market's FM HD 2 signals, a translator may be used to rebroadcast the ESPN Radio programming making it available VIA traditional FM.

 

[jmtillery]

ESPN Radio is going to 1250 WHNZ.

Bank it.

If ESPN Radio were to move to WHNZ, that means this will be the second incarnation of sports programming availble on the 1250 AM signal.

 

[tampalistener]

ESPN Radio is going to 1250 WHNZ.

Bank it.

The way I hear it from my friends at 4002 Gandy Blvd., WHNZ makes way too much money selling its airtime to switch formats.

 

[ok walters]

An FM translator may rebroadcast an FM HD2 signal. To put it another way, if ESPN Radio were to move to one of the market's FM HD 2 signals, a translator may be used to rebroadcast the ESPN Radio programming making it available VIA traditional FM.

Makes sense. So if you put ESPN on an unknown HD2 station with few or no listeners, you can also use a weak FM translator signal with few or no listeners. That part makes sense, but will ESPN allow someone to do that?

However, if they were going to use one of their own Radio Disney signals you would think it would have happened by now.

Mr Tillery - can you give us any insight into the thinking behind Radio Disney - AM radio for kids? If anyone can make sense out of that, it is probably you.

 

[badjef]

Disney is not going to want ESPN away from the Tampa Market.

What you can bank on, is a sweetheart deal similar to New York.

If they can trash KISS-FM in New York, there is no format safe, anywhere.

They are looking long-term leasing, not purchasing.

My thoughts are they are going after Fox Sports, not so much CBS.

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!

 

[Parttimer]

ESPN will be either on 1380 with Radio Disney moving, via LMA of another signal. or it will end up on 1250.

And if it ends up on 1250, ESPN will be paying for it to be there. They are already doing that in Pittsburgh, paying CC to run it on 970 here, which displaced Fox Sports.

They want to be able to tell a potential client on Mike & Mike or Cowherd's shows that the spot will run in all of the top 50 markets.

 

[jmtillery]

An FM translator may rebroadcast an FM HD2 signal. To put it another way, if ESPN Radio were to move to one of the market's FM HD 2 signals, a translator may be used to rebroadcast the ESPN Radio programming making it available VIA traditional FM.

Makes sense. So if you put ESPN on an unknown HD2 station with few or no listeners, you can also use a weak FM translator signal with few or no listeners. That part makes sense, but will ESPN allow someone to do that?

However, if they were going to use one of their own Radio Disney signals you would think it would have happened by now.

Mr Tillery - can you give us any insight into the thinking behind Radio Disney - AM radio for kids? If anyone can make sense out of that, it is probably you.

Whether or not it makes good business sense depends largely on the situation while many factors go into the equation to determine what available transmission form most likely stands the better chance of succeeding. Don't always discount a translator as being a virtual weak and wasted signal. Keep in mind that although translators are limited to a maximum 250 watts ERP, there is no maximum antenna height cap. Provided all interference concerns are eliminated, a translator may feasibly operate with a full 250 watts at 2,000 feet, creating a comparable class A or possible C3 signal contour.

And, while I did not give an opinion as to the merits of any such arrangement meeting success, I did state that a translator MAY legally rebroadcast an HD 2 signal as a "fill-in" radio service and is not limited to rebroadcasting an AM signal. There are multiple variables at play.

 

[badjef]

An FM translator may rebroadcast an FM HD2 signal. To put it another way, if ESPN Radio were to move to one of the market's FM HD 2 signals, a translator may be used to rebroadcast the ESPN Radio programming making it available VIA traditional FM.

Makes sense. So if you put ESPN on an unknown HD2 station with few or no listeners, you can also use a weak FM translator signal with few or no listeners. That part makes sense, but will ESPN allow someone to do that?

However, if they were going to use one of their own Radio Disney signals you would think it would have happened by now.

Mr Tillery - can you give us any insight into the thinking behind Radio Disney - AM radio for kids? If anyone can make sense out of that, it is probably you.

Whether or not it makes good business sense depends largely on the situation while many factors go into the equation to determine what available transmission form most likely stands the better chance of succeeding. Don't always discount a translator as being a virtual weak and wasted signal. Keep in mind that although translators are limited to a maximum 250 watts ERP, there is no maximum antenna height cap. Provided all interference concerns are eliminated, a translator may feasibly operate with a full 250 watts at 2,000 feet, creating a comparable class A or possible C3 signal contour.

And, while I did not give an opinion as to the merits of any such arrangement meeting success, I did state that a translator MAY legally rebroadcast an HD 2 signal as a "fill-in" radio service and is not limited to rebroadcasting an AM signal. There are multiple variables at play.

The contour of the existing signal would be the criteria. If you remember the 96.7 in Oakhurst, N.J. When WQXR moved to a smaller signal, the antenna was out of the contour for a commercial station. After the sale, it was now a non-com, and as a result did not have to conform to any new signal change. It took nearly a month to straighten that out.

Now, let's say, CC wanted to move the new 105.9 signal to Riverview as a commercial station, since the 60dbu contour (of WXTB) covers Riverview, I could see them exploring that with the new master antenna.

At 250 Watts, what is the optimum height?

If the HD-2 is the key, why hasn't CC utilized one of them for WDAE or WHNZ?

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!

 

[jmtillery]

Now, let's say, CC wanted to move the new 105.9 signal to Riverview as a commercial station, since the 60dbu contour (of WXTB) covers Riverview, I could see them exploring that with the new master antenna.

At 250 Watts, what is the optimum height?

If the HD-2 is the key, why hasn't CC utilized one of them for WDAE or WHNZ?

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!

You will need to consult with someone "in-the-know" at Clear Channel to get a definitive and specific answer to your question.

As far as signal contour, I'm aware of the rules requiring translator signals to remain within certain host signal boundaries. I had stated that there are multiple variables that factor into the overall equation, your scenario being one of them. It may be there are no open frequencies available for translator use that meet spacing requirements to place a 250 watt translator atop the Riverview tower while still avoiding objectionable interference with another FM signal. If this is the case, this may explain why Clear Channel has not exercised the option you questioned - it simply is not available under the current rules.

However, the rules allow for a translator to operate with 250 watts with no maximum antenna height, unlike primary licensed FM stations, so long as all other spacing and signal boundary requirements are met. By way of example, a comparable class A or C3 translator signal will fit well within a NDD 50kw AM station’s 2mV/m signal contour. Using the translator as a “fill-in” signal for a full powered FM station is limited only by the main channel’s 60 DBu service contour and not the HD 2 60 Dbu signal even though it is the HD signal being rebroadcast.

Provided all spacing issues are met, the above scenerio is possible under current FCC translator rules.

 

[ok walters]

It is like trying to read a legal brief when Mr. Tillery posts. Good accurate information - you just have to read it more than once to fully take it in.

Still no answer on how Disney's AM radio for kids concept ever made sense. It will be interesting to see where ESPN will land if anywhere - I am still going with not on the air in Tampa or Orlando.

 

[badjef]

It is like trying to read a legal brief when Mr. Tillery posts. Good accurate information - you just have to read it more than once to fully take it in.

Still no answer on how Disney's AM radio for kids concept ever made sense. It will be interesting to see where ESPN will land if anywhere - I am still going with not on the air in Tampa or Orlando.

There is only one way to look at Radio Disney, and that is a 24 hour promotional commercial for the Disney products and name.

It is not a conventional business model. It is not designed to be.

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!

 

[flwfg]

Radio Disney is kind of like McDonalds....give them constant doses and they WILL WANT IT....no matter what...and Disney has a lot of items to sell... not just theme parks...

 

[jmtillery]

It is like trying to read a legal brief when Mr. Tillery posts. Good accurate information - you just have to read it more than once to fully take it in.

Still no answer on how Disney's AM radio for kids concept ever made sense. It will be interesting to see where ESPN will land if anywhere - I am still going with not on the air in Tampa or Orlando.

Regarding your question relating to Radio Disney, I have to agree with BadJef. As I see the overall business model, it is essentially a 24/7 commercial promoting the Disney brand.

As for any possibility of moving RD off the 1380 frequency and replacing it with ESPN, anything is possible. However, if this were to occur, the question remains what frequency becomes the new home for Radio Disney?

 

[dwtpa97]

With regard to Mr. Tillery's posts, I always enjoy reading them. He is very knowledgable and usually sticks to the question at hand.