Re: DASH TV....

[Rob Landry <umar@nerodia.wcrb.com>]

On Thu, 4 Nov 1999, Jason Roberts wrote:

> Mike-
> 
> If I remember my call letter rules correctly, technically ALL TV
> stations have a "-TV" suffix attached to them. The "FM" and "TV" (and
> now "DT") designations are a legal part of the call signs for such
> stations, to distingush them from the AMs with the same call (which use
> no such suffix).

Originally there was only AM. When FM came along, it was fairly common for
AM stations to apply for FM licenses and call letters consisting of the AM
call sign plus "-FM". Similarly, radio stations which put TV stations on
the air often applied for their radio call letters plus "-TV".

At one point Boston had WBZ 1030, WBZ-FM 106.7, WBZ-TV Channel 4; and also
WHDH 850, WHDH-FM 94.5, WHDH-TV Channel 5. There was also WNAC 680 and
WNAC-TV Channel 7 (I'm not sure if 98.5 was ever WNAC-FM).

WCRB used to be WCRB-FM, but after WCRB AM 1330 was sold the FM was
changed to WCRB. Similarly, WHRB used to be WHRB-FM, because until 1974
there was a carrier current WHRB on 550 AM. The FM was changed to WHRB in
1978.


Rob Landry
umar@nerodia.wcrb.com