NYC FM TRANSLATOR SELLS FOR $1.6 MILLION

Need evidence of the value of FM translators? Look no further than Jersey City, New Jersey where translator W248CG (97.5 FM) is selling for $1.6 million, perhaps the most ever paid for a translator.

 We did a feature article on the impending auction of W248CG in December [link].  The price tag is no doubt related to the fact that it generates an awesome signal into Manhattan, Brooklyn and suburban New Jersey. The projected coverage area is at right. 

The winning bid was made by Cantico Nuevo Ministry, the operators of  Radio Cantico Neu (“Radio New Song”) a Spanish language Catholic organization that owns several AM stations in the New York City area. The new 97.5 will repeat WJDM-FM, Elizabeth, NJ, via an HD channel owned by another broadcaster. So, this is both an Instant FM and a byproduct of the FCC’s Save AM By Moving It to FM ruling.

Edward (“Ted”) Schober

Perhaps the biggest winner is the mastermind and owner of W248CG FM 97.5, New Jersey contract engineer Edward (“Ted”) Schober. Schober is a consulting engineer with little broadcasting experience. According to his bio, most of his previous work has been with the military and local governments. Schober applied for the translator in 2014 and the FCC granted it in October 2015.

MUST READ: STAR-TRIBUNE ARTICLE ON APM AND REPLACING GARRISON KEILLOR AS THE HOST OF APHC

Last Friday (4/8/16) the Minneapolis Star-Tribune published a comprehensive article about the reality of American Public Media’s (APM) struggle to keep A Prairie Home Companion alive following the departure of long-time host Garrison Keillor. 

 

Garrison Keillor - Photo: Star-Tribune

The article – Garrison Keillor's impending departure has 'Prairie Home' affiliates concerned – includes comments by public radio station folks such as Mark Vogelzang of Maine Public Broadcasting, Michael Arnold of Wisconsin Public Radio and Betsy Gardella, president of New Hampshire Public Radio.

Want a sample? Here is a quote from former Wisconsin Public Radio director Jack Mitchell:

“The show is basically dead without [Keillor],” he said. “I can’t imagine anybody replacing him. It may continue, but stations won’t be willing to pay as much, income will go down, the show’s budget will not be what it was.”

I recommend reading the article because it provides a succinct summary of the challenges facing APM and public radio in general. You can see the article here.

GREAT JOB OPPORTUNITY: DIRECTOR, CENTER FOR STUDENT MEDIA AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON

The University of Houston is looking for a new Director of the Center for Student Media (CSM).  The current Director, Matt Dulin, is leaving to take a similar gig at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Houston’s media program is highly regarded. At the CSM , students are engaged in journalism, publishing, promotion, marketing, advertising, media production, graphic design, radio broadcasting and management. The Director is in-charge of  COOG Radio, The Daily Cougar, the Student Video Network and two major student magazines.

To learn more about the CSM at [link]. The complete job description and application information is at [link].