Original buyer Eddie Edwards, a former TV station owner in Pittsburgh, experienced some health problems last Fall and wasn't able to complete his $450,000 purchase from Alex Langer. His ambition was to restore some local African-American programming to the market, after the sale of Sheridan's WAMO-AM/FM to a Catholic group. Now talk-formatted WPYT, Wilkinsburg, PA is sold again, this time to veteran broadcaster Tim Martz. Price is $290,000. WPYT has 1,400 watts at the low dial position of 660, daytime only. Meanwhile, Radio-Info.com can report that Reno-based Martz has applied to move FM translator W162AX from Oakdale, PA to new city of license Pittsburgh. The paperwork at the FCC says the translator at 100.1 would re-broadcast non-commercial news-and-jazz WDUQ (90.5). But Martz' purchase of WPYT suggests he could re-purpose the translator to simulcast WPYT, giving it an FM presence and a full-time signal in downtown Pittsburgh. Broker on the $290,000 transfer of WPYT: John Pierce & Company.
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WPYT sells finally
- Thread starter Whiplash
- Start date
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FreddyE1977
Guest
I guess the overmodulating union organizers on 660 will be shopping for another outlet
Hmmm...could we soon be seeing a return of urban programming in Pittsburgh? With a fighting chance? Time will tell. I'm aware of Tim Martz's reputation. He's a very astute businessman and I wish him well.
I looked around for info and apparently back in the 90's this guy's business was buying stations on the Canadian border. In particular, he had an FM in upstate NY that reached Montreal and Ottawa.
Looks like he sold it a couple of years ago.
So this doesn't fit what he did before, wonder why he chose to buy this?
Looks like he sold it a couple of years ago.
So this doesn't fit what he did before, wonder why he chose to buy this?
It's interesting how AM stations have been selling lately, I've been looking to buy in the Youngstown market for 3 years now, I just don't have the financial backing to do it. Since some of the new buyers are around on the boards, maybe one of you can point me in a direction to go look for that support. I know what i'm getting into, i've been in broadcasting 10 years and know how the game works, i'm just ready to play a different position.
Martz had a bunch of stations up in the "North Country" targeting various border cities in Canada.
The only two remaining ones are WYUL/94.7 "94.7 Hits FM", an English-language CHR targeting Montreal's English speaking dominant areas, and WVNV/96.5 "Wild Country 96.5", a country station aimed at the same area (and Cornwall in Ontario).
I believe Tim still has a share in those two stations, and 25% is owned by a Canadian broadcaster.
The only two remaining ones are WYUL/94.7 "94.7 Hits FM", an English-language CHR targeting Montreal's English speaking dominant areas, and WVNV/96.5 "Wild Country 96.5", a country station aimed at the same area (and Cornwall in Ontario).
I believe Tim still has a share in those two stations, and 25% is owned by a Canadian broadcaster.
kenhawk1160 said:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10349/1110719-67.stm
...in surveying the current voids in the local market... the logical choice would be an urban format. "It makes the most amount of sense to go urban," [Tim Martz] said. Pittsburgh has been without a full-time urban station since Sheridan Broadcasting sold WAMO-FM and WAMO-AM...
If he moves in this translator and simulcasts with the AM, what are the rules on hours of operation? The AM is a daytimer, don't translators have to rebroadcast something rather than originate programming?
Cox did an interesting thing in atlanta, they moved alternative 99X to an HD2 and a translator, and it's pulling a 2-share. Maybe he also leases someone's HD2 for this?
Cox did an interesting thing in atlanta, they moved alternative 99X to an HD2 and a translator, and it's pulling a 2-share. Maybe he also leases someone's HD2 for this?
Parttimer said:
Right...he's of Canadian ancestry, I believe, and his goal was to program radio stations that Canadians actually wanted to hear. It was his legal way of circumventing the CanCon rule.
I think Tim's looking for a new challenge, when the opportunity is ripe. Someone with money can really do well in this market if they have the right signal. There's a big hole for urban (not hip-hop) in this market and it can do well if it's more targeted to adults.
Parttimer said:
He might be able to get 1 watt at night, at best.
M
MsMusicRadio
Guest
If this goes urban, couldn't he translate an urban station from another market at night? I presume he would need some kind of agreement with Radio One or somebody.
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FreddyE1977
Guest
Parttimer said:
Yep. Keith Urban. And Tim McGraw. And Reba McEntyre. And....
I'm sure both stations could use the $$$$.Scott Fybush said:
In that case, then yes, Urban might make sense. He's getting in cheap enough and would presumably have far less overhead than Sheridan had.
On the other hand, Inner City tried to make a go of Urban on 1550 a while back and after six months they couldn't get out of here fast enough.
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