WNKO MOVE-IN

[markbohach]

Re: WNKO 101.7 move in

WNKO has applied to the FCC to change the CP and upgrade from a class A to Class B1 station at 101.7 FM, the new tower location will be on the WVMX tower along 71 to the north of the city but with an output of 15.5kw at 128.3m, that should be just below the antenna at the top of the tower.

Are you sure they have permission to build on the WVMX tower site? Maybe they are asking the FCC if this tower site will work? They may then reapply to build at another tower site in the area if the WVMX tower site
is approved. Don't see why they(WVMX) would want the competition's antenna located on their tower site.

The old site existing tower site, where they presentably have a C.P. for, is being dismantled. WCVO moved
from there and they are going to sell the land to a real estate developer. This is where the present WNKO CP is located:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=40.07111,+-82.80972+(WNKO-FM)&om=1
The above site is not available to them anymore, hence the application for a new CP and tower site relocation.

Saga doesn't own the 107.9 tower site. It is owned and managed by a tower management company and their goal is to put tenants on the tower. I can't remember the name of the company but I worked with them back in 1998. I did the original transmitter installation for (then) Star 107.9.

 

[del_griffith]

The Delaware County Auditor's web site show's the owner as Franklin Communications, which is part of Saga. I believe when the tower was built, Associate Radio was the owner and Mark is correct, it was built to house tenants. It was built like the proverbial brick outhouse.

 

[markbohach]

The Delaware County Auditor's web site show's the owner as Franklin Communications, which is part of Saga. I believe when the tower was built, Associate Radio was the owner and Mark is correct, it was built to house tenants. It was built like the proverbial brick outhouse.

Del,

Good catch on that. Franklin/Saga must have gotten it in the sale. Now that I think of it, it may have been an affiliate company of Associated I worked with. And you're right, that tower was designed for many antennas and there's a beautiful muiti room block building at the base.

And Artie, when it comes to competition between stations- money is money and tower rental is big business.
That's why WBNS welcomes all those FM stations to its tower.

 

[xiradiodotcom]

And Artie, when it comes to competition between stations- money is money and tower rental is big business.
That's why WBNS welcomes all those FM stations to its tower.

Not to mention Channel 4.

 

[xmusicmatt]

And Artie, when it comes to competition between stations- money is money and tower rental is big business.
That's why WBNS welcomes all those FM stations to its tower.

Not to mention Channel 4.

If the competition is giving you cash each month... who wouldnt let them mount an antenna..only makes your profit look better! (at the competitions expense)

 

[gabigley1]

Re: WNKO 101.7 move in

Saga doesn't own the 107.9 tower site. It is owned and managed by a tower management company and their goal is to put tenants on the tower. I can't remember the name of the company but I worked with them back in 1998. I did the original transmitter installation for (then) Star 107.9.

This is partially correct in that the tower structure and it's associated building is owned and managed by a tower management company. This is from a very reliable source.

The Delaware County Auditor's web site show's the owner as Franklin Communications, which is part of Saga. I believe when the tower was built, Associate Radio was the owner and Mark is correct, it was built to house tenants. It was built like the proverbial brick outhouse.

The land the tower and building sits on is owned by Franklin Communications. The tower management company is not Associate Radio. It is called Crown Castle. Their website is here:http://www.crowncastle.com
This is from a very reliable source and sense it is of public record, it can/may be repeated.

Since Saga dose not own that tower structure, they have little or no say so on any new competitors using that tower site for it's antenna. So, WNKO may very well locate on the WVMX tower without Saga permission.
I assumed that Saga owned the tower and land and was partially wrong in that they only own the land.

And Artie, when it comes to competition between stations- money is money and tower rental is big business.
That's why WBNS welcomes all those FM stations to its tower.

In this case that may be a moot point because the tower is owned and managed by a tower management company and not Saga. I assumed Saga would not not want any of the completion on that tower if they owed it. Yes, I'm aware of radio companies that own tower(s) and allow the competitors on them. Some
have contracts that say they disallow certain formats that may be in competition with their radio station(s).
Then, some don't care if the price is right.

 

[del_griffith]

For some reason in the back of my mind, and in general terms, if a structure can support the additional antenna, I don't think they can deny another signal. Rent can be charged, but competitor A can't keep competitor B off their tower just because they are competitors. Again, this is from memory.

 

[markbohach]

For some reason in the back of my mind, and in general terms, if a structure can support the additional antenna, I don't think they can deny another signal. Rent can be charged, but competitor A can't keep competitor B off their tower just because they are competitors. Again, this is from memory.

I have never seen a situation where a station's format was restricted in the lease agreement. Formats can change rapidly and a station needs to keep its options open. Remember when WCOL 92.3 was oldies and WBNS also flipped to oldies. Both signals were coming off the same tower. Currently WLVQ's auxilliary antenna is located on a Clear Channel tower. The two companies involved certainly compete formatically.

Most tower leases are very long term- ten, twenty years with automatic renewals. (after all- no station wants to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a site move only to face losing their site after just a few years.

 

[xmusicmatt]

All this talk about 101.7 being competition.. Who says the present owners won't want to do what WHIZ Group is doing and try to sell it once they 'move in' the signal???? Then at that point heck SAGA could purchase it .. would not be competition at that point..

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

All this talk about 101.7 being competition.. Who says the present owners won't want to do what WHIZ Group is doing and try to sell it once they 'move in' the signal????   Then at that point heck SAGA could purchase it .. would not be competition at that point..

How can Saga buy 101.7 post-move if they (presumably) are unable to buy 102.5?  Or are you talking several years down the road when there has hopefully been an economic recovery?  I guess to the extent they resume acquistions anywhere, medium market groups like Saga will have more incentive to focus on snapping up decent-coverage move-ins in Columbus, where the paucity of big signals left them with embarrassingly weak rimshot-dominated clusters.  (Saga's clusters in similar-sized Milwaukee and Norfolk each have at least three full-power central-market signals.)  OTOH, trades are more economical than outright purchases due to the tax laws, and NKO and CVZ have nothing substantive to trade.

 

[xmusicmatt]

How can Saga buy 101.7 post-move if they (presumably) are unable to buy 102.5? Or are you talking several years down the road when there has hopefully been an economic recovery? I guess to the extent they resume acquistions anywhere, medium market groups like Saga will have more incentive to focus on snapping up decent-coverage move-ins in Columbus, where the paucity of big signals left them with embarrassingly weak rimshot-dominated clusters. (Saga's clusters in similar-sized Milwaukee and Norfolk each have at least three full-power central-market signals.) OTOH, trades are more economical than outright purchases due to the tax laws, and NKO and CVZ have nothing substantive to trade.

I understand but I would think someone in this market would want to try and find some way to snap up these signals before they eventually end up in the hands of EMF .. (Much as I would honestly love to see Air1 in Columbus) I would like to see a format not tried in this market done on 101.7 or 102.5 and know the present owners truly can't be modivated to try and make a go as a single owner of a station in this market.

 

[DebBonner]

All this talk about 101.7 being competition.. Who says the present owners won't want to do what WHIZ Group is doing and try to sell it once they 'move in' the signal???? Then at that point heck SAGA could purchase it .. would not be competition at that point..

I used to work fro WNKO and unless something has really changed, I wouldn't expect the Franks to sell the station. Johnny has worked too hard to keep it a family owned company and from what I hear his oldest son is very interested in following in his foot steps.

Now having said this, the changing economy has forced a lot of us to make decisions we would have preferred not to. And as a random thought...it is interesting as it appears WNKO is closer to moving in, WTDA has flipped to a Classic Hits format so those to stations would be in direct competition

 

[Allfirdup]

ON 3/17 the FCC issued the new construction permit for WNKO to their new B1 15.5kw facility just north of Columbus on the WVMX tower now the only thing keeping that from happening is the WKSW move into Enon.

 

[gabigley1]

ON 3/17 the FCC issued the new construction permit for WNKO to their new B1 15.5kw facility just north of Columbus on the WVMX tower now the only thing keeping that from happening is the WKSW move into Enon.

Here is the Coverage Map for the new WNKO tower site: http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=WNKO&service=FM&status=C&hours=U

Speaking of WVMX,
noticed the new WNKO coverage area will be better then WVMX's coverage area. Here is the WVMX Coverage Map: http://www.radio-locator.com/cgi-bin/pat?call=WVMX&service=FM&status=L&hours=U

Any update on WKSW's move to Enon, Ohio?

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

Assuming NKO does make the move indicated, any ideas on this one will be able to avoid the usual downtown-area issues?

 

[Allfirdup]

In WNKO's case there aren't any strong signals downtown close to their 101.7 dial position so that should help. in addition to putting out 15.5kw, it wont be too bad. Also today Wilks applied to move 102.3 W272AT to 94.1 that should clear up the interference for 102.5 as well

 

[xmusicmatt]

In WNKO's case there aren't any strong signals downtown close to their 101.7 dial position so that should help. in addition to putting out 15.5kw, it wont be too bad. Also today Wilks applied to move 102.3 W272AT to 94.1 that should clear up the interference for 102.5 as well

102.3 W272AT moving also should help 102.1 and 101.9 LP's out also as there has been time there has been splatter from 102.3 on 101.9,102.1,102.5. (before 102.5 moved to Baltimore).

 

[rubberchicken]

Just looking at the WNKO CP map, that looks to be a pretty decent signal.
Saga needs to pick that up pronto and put Mix/WVMX on it. Much better building penetration, especially in office buildings along the north outerbelt. Downtown, it might be tricky, but still much imporved.
Move the Classic Hits back to 107.9 after that.

 

[Nu_Roo_2]

Just looking at the WNKO CP map, that looks to be a pretty decent signal.
Saga needs to pick that up pronto and put Mix/WVMX on it. Much better building penetration, especially in office buildings along the north outerbelt. Downtown, it might be tricky, but still much imporved.
Move the Classic Hits back to 107.9 after that.

Why not the reverse? The PPM seems even friendlier to Classic Hits than Hot AC, including nice 25-54's.

While I'd like to see Saga pick up either WNKO and/or WCVZ, their local history of missed good-signal acquisitions strongly suggests that won't happen -- especially when the economy is still in the tank and there are no trades they can make to ease the tax hit.

 

[zburns]

I worked at WKSW in 1992-1993. I have to say it will be sad when and if they move to 101.5 and most likely abandon their current format. But radio is a fickle beast and money talks....... :-[