March 2003

MINNESOTA/NORTH DAKOTA:
KZLT/104.3 (East Grand Forks) is stunting with office sound effects and an announcement that a new at-work station is coming soon. There is currently no Adult Contemporary station in the market. KZLT was recently sold to Leighton Enterprises, and had been running an `80s-based Hot AC format for the past year and a half. (3/30/2003)

WISCONSIN:
Zoe Communications has ended the Adult Contemporary format on WJRV/95.9 (Durand-Menomonie) and begun a Classic Rock simulcast with WGMO/95.3 (Shell Lake-Rice Lake) under the "95GMO" name. 95.9's programming is still being rebroadcast on WQOQ/1430 (Durand). (3/27/2003)

MINNESOTA:
KQPR/96.1 (Albert Lea) has applied for an increase from class A to class C3. The station would increase from 6kW/100m to 19kW/117m from its same site, improving its signal in Austin and surrounding rural areas. The new facility would use a directional antenna to prevent interference to KQCL/95.9 (Faribault). (3/25/2003)

NORTH DAKOTA:
Blaming a slow economy and soft ad sales, Clear Channel has cut three positions from KFGO/790 (Fargo). Afternoon host Steve Poitras, reporter Jim Monk, and sports director Mick Farkas have been laid off. Arbitron surveys show KFGO is the number one station in the market and has one of the largest audience shares in the rated markets. (3/25/2003)

WISCONSIN:
The end is apparently near for the commercial `70s Oldies format on WGLB-FM/100.1 (Port Washington-Milwaukee). Starboard Media is expected to take over the station in the coming weeks to run a non-commercial Catholic format. The last edition of "Loppy's Lounge" aired last Friday afternoon on WGLB-FM. (3/25/2003)

SOUTH DAKOTA/MINNESOTA/NEBRASKA:
The Echostar Knowlege Base reports that DISH Network is testing Sioux Falls market locals. The Sioux Falls market includes the eastern half South Dakota, as well as five counties in southwestern Minnesota and one county in northern Nebraska. It appears that KSFY-ABC, KELO-CBS, KTTW-FOX, KDLT-NBC, and KCSD-PBS will be available to customers with a DISH 500 system, while KAUN-PAX, KPRY-ABC, KABY-ABC, and KSMN-PBS will be available to customers who also have a dish capable of receiving the "side satellite." (3/24/2003)

IOWA/MINNESOTA/NEBRASKA/WISCONSIN:
DirecTV has announced 39 more markets which will receive "local-into-local" service by the end of 2003. Markets on the latest list in the Upper Midwest are Duluth-Superior, Madison, and Omaha. The new markets will be carried on a new satellite set to launch later this year, and customers may have to upgrade their equipment to receive their local channels. If you're confused about all of the different local-into-local announcements that have been made by DirecTV and competitor DISH Network this year, check the scorecard. (3/20/2003)

MINNESOTA:
Minnesota broadcasting legend Darrell "Ugly Del" Mulroy has died. He passed away in his sleep after hosting his show last Saturday night on WWTC/1280. For more information on services, check www.uglydel.com. (3/20/2003)

NATIONWIDE/MINNESOTA:
Though war with Iraq had been expected for some time, its beginning at about 8:30 Wednesday night still caught many stations off guard. On TV, CNN, CBS, FOX, and NBC began coverage when the war began at about 8:30 central time, but ABC didn't begin its special report until about ten minutes later. Some ABC affiliates went to black at 10:01, when the network pitched to local news after telling affiliates there would be no cutaway. TV coverage was sporadic after 10:00, with many stations returning to regular programming. Coverage was less widespread on the radio. In the Duluth market, the only long-form coverage found throughout the evening was on KQDS/1490 (which carries CNN Headline News) and WPR's WHSA/89.9. WEBC/560 and KDAL/610 also aired long-form coverage for a time. MPR's WSCN/100.5 was carrying live coverage, but went to dead air for at least few hours in the late evening. Most Clear Channel and Midwest Communications in the market carried President Bush's 9:15 speech. (3/20/2003)

MICHIGAN:
After rescinding its earlier approval, the FCC has again approved Starboard Broadcasting's purchase of WDBC/680 and WYKX/104.7 (Escanaba) from KMB Broadcasting. The earlier approval had been rescinded as the FCC re-considered objections from former WDBC news director Polly Flinders, as well as from Richard Dershu. Starboard plans to retain WDBC for its Catholic network, but spin off Country-formatted WYKX to Lyle Evans. (3/19/2003)

WISCONSIN:
WSTM/91.3 (Kiel-Plymouth) has signed on, and Christian programming from sister WJUB/1420 (Plymouth) has been moved to the new FM station. 1420 is now airing a Nostalgia format as "The Breeze." (3/19/2003)

MINNESOTA:
There are some changes on the TV dial in Willmar, where Hubbard Broadcasting's translator of ABC affiliate KSAX has moved from channel 14 to 30 as K30FZ. UHF-TV's K36FL (Willmar), which relayed WB affiliate KMWB at last report, has moved from 36 to 14 as K14LF. (3/18/2003)

MINNESOTA:
The FCC has formally dismissed 47 applications for low-power FM stations in Minnesota, including all applications for LPFM's in the Twin Cities metro area. The applications were filed before Congress passed a bill banning LPFM stations on frequencies third-adjacent (.6 MHz away) from existing local stations. The FCC invited the applicants to apply for other frequencies, but no other viable frequencies are available. (3/18/2003)

WISCONSIN:
WGEE/1360 (Green Bay) has returned to an old set of call letters, WTAQ. The call letters recently became available after an Illinois station dropped them. WTAQ's format remains News/Talk. (3/18/2003)

NORTH DAKOTA/MINNESOTA:
After failing to find another affiliate in Fargo, the Rush Limbaugh show will return to Clear Channel's KVOX/1280 on Monday (3/17). The station had dropped the show at the beginning of the year. Rush is sydnicated by Clear Channel subsidiary Premiere Radio Networks. (3/15/2003)

WISCONSIN:
The FCC has allotted 96.3 to Owen for a future class C3 (25kW/100m) station. A station using the allocation would have to locate its tower 12.9km northeast of Owen. The station would provide a good signal to Clark, Taylor, eastern Chippewa, and western Marathon counties, and a fair signal to Marshfield. The request for the allocation was made by Starboard Broadcasting, but anybody will be able to apply for the frequency when the FCC opens a window of filing. (3/14/2003)

NORTH DAKOTA:
Local programming is set to resume this afternoon on KFJM/90.7 and KUND/1370 (Grand Forks). The University of North Dakota stopped the "Northern Lights Public Radio" format on the stations last year due to budget problems, and the stations have been carrying North Dakota Public Radio since then. (NDPR is also heard on KUND-FM/89.3 in Grand Forks.) UND and NDPR were able to reach an agreement for NDPR to program KFJM, with a similar lineup as before, but without the "Northern Lights" name. KFJM's initial schedule will include Morning Edition from 6-8a, World Cafe from 10a-Noon and 6-8p, and local Adult Alternative and Jazz shows. (3/13/2003)

MINNESOTA:
A few changes in Twin Cities low-power TV:

  • K07UI and W62BD have switched from ShopNBC to the Daystar network, following their sale to Word of God Fellowship.
  • K19ER, the replacement for K53CH, is on the air with EWTN programming. (3/13/2003)

    MICHIGAN:
    In a rare move, the FCC has rescinded its approval of Starboard Media's purchase of WDBC/680 and WYKX/104.7 (Escanaba), and returned the application status to pending. The reason for the move is unknown at this time. (3/12/2003)

    MINNESOTA:
    The FCC has approved Duluth-Superior Educational TV's plan for a TV table of allotments change in Hibbing. Duluth-Superior, the licensee of PBS station WDSE/8 (Duluth), had applied for an analog station on channel 18 in Hibbing. With digital TV on the horizon, it proposed substituting channel 31 for a DTV station in Hibbing, and the FCC has agreed to make the change. (3/12/2003)

    WISCONSIN:
    UW-Superior's KUWS/91.3 has announced some changes in its student programming lineup, effective April 1. "The Network," which plays Rap, Hip-Hop, and R&B, will be reduced one night per week, Friday from 10p-2a, from its current Monday-Friday 10p-Midnight slot. Alternative show "The Dean's List" will be heard Monday-Thursday from 10p-2a, moving from its current Tuesday-Saturday Midnight-2a slot. KUWS adjust its schedule every few years based on student interest and market needs. (3/12/2003)

    WISCONSIN:
    After an all-`80s weekend, Eau Claire's I94 (WIAL/94.1) moved itself to a Hot Adult Contemporary format Monday morning (3/10) with the new positioner "Today's Best Variety." Evening host Ben Olson has been replaced with the syndicated Alen Kabel show, leaving the market without any live/local DJ's in the evening. Though the Central Radio station was doing well in the ratings with Contemporary Hits, there was no Hot AC in the market, and the station faced head-on competition from Clear Channel's Z100. The new format positions I94 between Clear Channel's Adult Contemporary Magic 98.1 and Z100. I94 had previously moved from CHR to a more Adult sound, and later moved back to CHR. (3/11/2003)

    WISCONSIN:
    WKTT/98.1 (Cleveland-Sheboygan-Manitowac) has become WLKN "Lake 98.1" with an Adult Contemporary format, replacing the previous Country format. (3/9/2003)

    MINNESOTA:
    KKCQ/1480 (Fosston) has picked up ABC's Oldies Radio format, but continues to air some Talk programming, with the slogan "Talk and Oldies 1480." ABC Information Network news runs on the hour. (3/9/2003)

    ONTARIO:
    The CRTC recently approved Way of Life Broadcasting's application for a new low-power FM station in Dryden. The non-commercial Christian station will operate at 97.3 with 50 Watts. (3/9/2003)

    WISCONSIN:
    Is something in the works at Eau Claire's I94 (WIAL/94.1)? The station is doing an all-`80s weekend, and running announcements that say "listen Monday morning for an all-new sound from an all-new radio station." The station is being sold to Maverick Communications, but the new owners have not yet taken control of the station. (3/7/2003)

    WISCONSIN:
    WJMQ/92.3 (Clintonville) has applied to move its transmitter to the WTCH/960 site near Shawano, and increase its power from 6kW (class A) to 24.5kW (class C3). (3/7/2003)

    MINNESOTA:
    If you're in the right area, the University of Minnesota's "Radio K" is now on the air 24 hours, and on FM. 8-Watt KUOM-FM/106.5 (St. Louis Park) is on the air, sharing time on the frequency with St. Louis Park High's KDXL. The stations reach parts of Minneapolis, Golden Valley, Minnetonka, Hopkins, and Edina. KUOM-FM is on the air from 4:30 p.m. to 8 a.m. Monday through Friday, and all weekend. Radio K launched on daytimer KUOM/770 in 1993 and has been `netcasting 24 hours per day for several years. (3/6/2003)

    NEBRASKA:
    Citadel Broadcasting turned off KLKE/24 (Albion) Sunday night and has returned its license to the FCC. The station had relayed ABC affiliate KLKN/8 (Lincoln) and was built as a replacement for channel 8 when it was moved from Albion to Lincoln. Though KLKE's analog license had not yet expired, management says the costs of coverting the station from a 2570kW analog facility on channel 24 to a 1000kW digital facility on channel 23 were prohibitive. (3/4/2003)

    MINNESOTA:
    Red River Broadcasting's KZIO/104.3 (Two Harbors) and translator K292EZ/106.3 (Duluth) stopped the stunting at Noon to become "X106, Pure Rock." The station complements the Light Classic Rock format of sister KQDS/94.9, in competition with Midwest Communications' KRBR/102.5 "The Bear." (3/3/2003)

    IOWA:
    The FCC has cancelled the license of KDEC/1240 (Decorah), but Decorah Broadcasting says it was a mistake. The station says the FCC cleared their check for license renewal but still cancelled the license. KDEC has filed for reinstatement of license with the FCC and is still on the air, carrying WestwoodOne's AM Only format. KDEC shares time with Luther College's noncommercial KWLC. (3/3/2003)

    MINNESOTA:
    In Windom, American Family Radio has applied for a license to cover for KQRB/89.9, meaning it has completed or will soon complete its transition from a 250-Watt translator on 90.9 to the 250-Watt class A facility on 89.9. Conversion to class A prevents other stations from bumping the station off the air, since translators are not protected. AFA made similar moves in Montevideo and Worthington. (3/3/2003)

    MINNESOTA:
    The stunting at KZIO/104.3 (Two Harbors-Duluth) has changed from a ticking clock to a variety of music, classic commercials, comedy bits, and tones. An announcement says "Coming Monday, Minnesota's newest radio station." (3/2/2003)

    MANITOBA:
    The Winnipeg Sun reports that CanWest Global's new CJZZ/99.1 officially signed on Friday (2/28) at 6 p.m. The station plays Smooth Jazz during the day and traditional Jazz at night as "Cool 99.1." However, the station is only operating with 2kW for now. The full 100kW signal won't come until a new tower to be shared with the new CKY-FM/102.3 is completed. (3/1/2003)

    NORTH DAKOTA:
    The Fargo market has a fifth commercial TV station: KCPM/27 (Grand Forks-Fargo) is on the air with UPN programming. The station is owned by G.I.G. Inc, which also runs a low-power UPN affiliate in Sioux Falls. KCPM is rebroadcast on KVNJ-LP/2 (Fargo) and is being carried on channel 9 on many cable systems, where KMSP/9 (Minneapolis) was carried until it flipped from UPN to FOX last fall. (3/1/2003)

    NORTH DAKOTA/WISCONSIN:
    The FCC has dismissed seven more applications for low-power FM stations filed by Lyle Evans on behalf of local persons using various "Educational Association" names. The dismissals came at the request of the applicants. The most recent applications dismissed were for 102.3 Minot, ND; 107.7 Berlin, 95.1 Chilton, 107.9 Kewaunee, 103.5 Rhinelander, 92.5 Tomah, and 96.3 Waupaca, WI. (3/1/2003)

    WISCONSIN:
    There's a new spanish-language TV option in the Milwaukee market: DirecTV is now offering Telefutura affiliate WXFT/60 (Aurora-Chicago) as part of its Milwaukee package. (3/1/2003)


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