On Tuesday, July 13, all analog low power television stations were required to cease operations whether or not they were ready to sign-on their replacement digital signal. This was to be the end of the so-called “Franken-FMs” on channel 6 using their aural channel on 87.75 to serve as a defacto radio station.
Last month Venture Technologies Group received temporary permission to operate 87.7 KBKF-LD San Jose CA with an analog audio signal on 87.75 FM in its ATSC 3.0 digital video signal through January 2022 as long as its continues to meet eight conditions. KBKF-LD, which is leased to Educational Media Foundation to air its “Air 1” network, ended up just being the first of a few LPTV’s to be given similar STAs.
Venture Technologies Group was also given an identical STA to WRME-LP Chicago to allow Weigel Broadcasting’s Soft Oldies “87.7 MeTV-FM” to keep broadcasting. Syncom Media Group received the STA for Hip Hop “Streetz 87.7” WMTO-LP Norfolk VA, which simulcasts Core Radio Group’s 102.1 WXTG-FM Virginia Beach and Regional Mexican “La Invasora 87.7” KXDP-LP Denver. Atlanta Prism Broadcasting Network received the STA for Regional Mexican “La Que Buena 101.9/87.7” which simulcasts WAZX-FM Cleveland GA.
Venture’s KZNO-LP Big Bear Lake/Los Angeles has converted to ATSC 3 operation, but has not yet filed for the STA to operate its audio signal. KZNO-LP had been operating as Spanish Christian “Guadalupe Radio 87.7“.
Sound of Long Island Inc. has applied for an STA for its Korean “FM 87.7” WNYZ-LP New York, but has also begun airing its programming on 101.5 W268BY Queens/93.5 WVIP-HD4 New Rochelle while awaiting permission to do so. Signal Above Media’s 87.7 WDCN-LP Fairfax VA/Washington DC Spanish Tropical “La Nueva 87.7” has gone silent, but intends to return with ATSC 3 operation allowing for the audio channel when it completes construction of the new facility.
The rest of the analog signals should be gone, but a few have moved their brands to new signals.
Regional Mexican “Fiesta 87.7” KGHD-LP Las Vegas moved its programming to 98.1 K251BS North Las Vegas/KLUC-HD3 Las Vegas last month following the purchase of the translator by Latino Hustle Grou.
Flinn Broadcasting Classic Rock “Drake Hall Memphis Radio” WPGF-LP Memphis moved to 96.1 WIVG Tunica MS.
Kid’s Television LLC Classic Hits “87.7 The Bridge” WJMF-LP Jackson MS moved to 1240 WZQK Flowood/94.3 W232DD Jackson.
Delta Media Corporation Regional Mexican “Radio Lazer” lost its coverage on KXKW-LP Lafayette LA, but remains on former simulcaster 105.3 KSLO-FM Simmesport.
Metro TV Inc. merged the programming of Christian “Love Radio” WVOA-LP Westvale/Syracuse NY with its co-owned “The Voice” 1540 WSIV East Syracuse/106.3 W292EY Syracuse.
Walker Broadcast Group took Alternative “Hella Radio” KNNN-LP Redding off the air when required on the 13th, however states it will soon relaunch the audio brand on a new, yet-to-be disclosed signal, but also rebrand its TV signal as “Hellavision“.
This story first appeared on radioinsight.com