WPYT sells finally

[FreddyE1977]

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?

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.

There is such a thing as French-Canadian Hip-Hop. I have heard it on XM.

 

[kenhawk1160]

AM-on-FM translators can originate programming after dark if the originating station is a daytimer.

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.

Yeah, but that's a garbage signal to begin with.

 

[OhioMediaWatch]

The FM translator would seem to be the driving force here.

I don't know if Martz has any urban format experience, but he does run CHR on one of his three stations in far upstate New York - the 94.7 "Hits FM" targeting Montreal.

 

[only1moore]

Why would you think he would do Urban?

Yep. Keith Urban. And Tim McGraw. And Reba McEntyre. And....

I hope you were joking....

 

[kenhawk1160]

I don't know if Martz has any urban format experience, but he does run CHR on one of his three stations in far upstate New York - the 94.7 "Hits FM" targeting Montreal.

I think most of Martz's stations were CHR back in the 90s. There were a couple Churbans too.

 

[wrsg915fm]

I know virtually nothing of Pittsburgh radio, living too far away (however, LOVED the old 'PEZ when I attended Fairmont State College/University a million years ago). However, I know 540 has a killer signal. What's to become of that, if indeed it's DOA in January? Wouldn't classic country work, if urban would not be considered?

 

[Parttimer]

I think the track record of the current owner would lead one to expect a brokered format, or maybe an LMA to someone else. Disney was operating the station from 1250's facility under an LMA that is now expiring, and the format is moving.

 

[OhioMediaWatch]

Birach has done mainstream formats - like the extreme DC rimshot conservative talker "DC Radio 700" (now silent, I believe) - but not many of 'em.

I'd still expect some sort of brokering situation when 540 loses RD.

 

[FreddyE1977]

Hopefully the new owners of 660 will end the practice of playing two programs
simultaneously (as was noticed yesterday)

 

[dB]

Hopefully the new owners of 660 will end the practice of playing two programs
simultaneously (as was noticed yesterday)

You're supposed to think of that as getting twice the programming for your money. ;D