Re: WNAN-FM 91.1 To Make "Minor" Change

[Ron Bello <RBello@BelloAssoc.com>]

One big problem with the discussion below,
WNAN is controlled by WGBH not BUR.
They also have WCAI Marthas Vineyard/Woods Hole.


At 05:48 PM 4/2/03 -0500, Aaron Read wrote:
>At 06:29 PM 4/2/2003 -0400, Laurence Glavin wrote:
>>I see in today's (04/03/03) FCC Daily Digest that WNAN-FM 91.1, on the
>>island of Nantucket, MA has applied for a "minor" change, nearly doubling
>>its power (is that about a 40% increase in signal strength?).  WNAN
>>is almost exactly 50 miles away from same-channel outlet WSMU, S. 
>>Dartmouth, MA.
>>There's an application on file for WSMU to vacate 91.1 and move to 89.3;
>>in today's $$$$$$$$ environment, that's not about to happen, unless UNLESS
>>WBUR offers to take WSMU off UMass's hands, switch it to 89.3 and then
>>boosts the Mother Ship's power.  Where will they get the cash?  Sell WRNI 
>>to CCU!
>
>Even if they won the Powerball lottery, I doubt WBUR could afford to offer 
>the kind of money it'd take to get UMass/Dartmouth (or the State) to let 
>go of WSMU.  Especially in their current financial shape.   Besides, it'd 
>have to be at least $10-$15 million would be my guess...a serious wad even 
>in good times, and WRNI/WXNI aren't worth anywhere near that.
>
>However, if WSMU vacates 91.1 it probably opens up room for a new 
>allocation in the Kingston, RI area for 91.1 and I know WRNI (WBUR) would 
>love to reach the Kingston/Newport area better...esp. with an FM signal.
>
>The WSMU application to move to 89.3 has, IIRC, been on file since at 
>least 1996 but also IIRC it was dependant on WGBH successfully moving to 
>Needham, which it now appears will happen.  There's no way WSMU can move 
>to 89.3 without WGBH's say-so and I'll wager that WSMU allowing WNAN to 
>boost is part of the deal - assuming there is a deal.
>
>Of course, I would think that WERS might have something to say about WSMU 
>being on 89.3, but it would depend on what power & height WSMU were at.
>
>
>
>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Aaron "Bishop" Read             aread@speakeasy.net
>FriedBagels Consulting          AOL-IM: readaaron
>http://www.friedbagels.com      Boston, MA
>