Will 1500 kHz Finally Get Built?

[Carmine5]

The FCC announced the winning bidders in the #84 closed auction.

Perhaps the most interesting is the 1500 channel in Los Angeles, the last open AM channel in the market. As we know, it has had a long and twisted history as chronicled here:

http://gallery.bostonradio.org/2006-04/la/

The last thing I remember about it, is mentioned in this short piece in the LA Times dated January 30, 1992:

"The Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday unanimously rejected a Sacramento broadcaster's plan to erect five transmission towers in Big Tujunga Wash to serve a proposed San Fernando Valley-based "talk-news" radio station.

Leading the fight against the project was Councilman Joel Wachs, who was backed by a solid lineup of northeast Valley homeowner leaders who complained that the 164-foot towers would ruin the ambience of the wash."

http://articles.latimes.com/1992-01-...1_radio-towers

Will the winning bidder finally be able to build on 1500?

You can look at the Royce International application here (notice the pared down 3-tower proposal. Tower location: No. Montebello Blvd. south of the 60 fwy):

https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws...fac_num=160466

Here is the Levine/Schwab application (tower location on Soto St. north of the 10 fwy)

https://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws...fac_num=161348

 

[MrZoom]

And the answer is " NO WAY ". Maybe in 2025.

The "auction" will not be held until next year. These applications have all been filed in 2004. Just 9 years ago. A very short time for the FCC to "work" on these applications. Only 22 possible stations will be granted in such "metro" areas as Coalinga or Huron, California for 1470 which went dark back in the 1990's and never made any money. Another "winner" is for 1340 in either Alturas, CA or Lakeviws, OR. Both areas have less than 8,000 persons within the "coverage area" and both towns have one or more FM stations. In fact there is already an existing AM in Alturas along with 5 other full powered FM stations or CP's and the longtime 1230 in Lakeview, OR went silent and let the license "go to ground" after a questionable "Buy Out" from an "out of towner". And now the two FM stations - in Lakeview, OR are owned by the same person and also owns one of the 5 FM stations in Alturas. -- 3 of the applications may cover the Las Vegas, NV area -- if granted. ( 620, 1370 & 1540). Most are DOGS and would cost way to much to constuct or operate. Some of the applicants may not even be in business still. This could be one of the best "Inside Jokes" at the FCC. And as for the 1500 in Culver City -- the question is not who has the most cash to send, but who is the bigger fool. You may expect more people to respond to this thread or post - than will file for the AM auction nect year.

 

[boiseengineer]

I see a few players in this back from the dead auction that are no longer in business or have a history of not building anything.
Two of them in our area.

 

[Thomps2525]

Part of the reason that Royce Broadcasting was not allowed to install transmission towers in the Big Tujunga Wash is because an endangered plant thrives there: the spiny menadora. And why would anyone even think of starting a new top-40 station on AM radio in the late 1980s? KRCK would never have survived.

 

[Hot Hits]

If you check some back issues of the Broadcasting Yearbook, Royce International had a Full Staff and a Rate card listed. I would not be surprised if Stolz was selling some 'advanced' time?