ATLANTA — The merger between Cumulus and Citadel is all but complete. Citadel stockholders and the FCC approved the merger today, following the Department of Justice’s early termination of an anti-trust “waiting period” on Tuesday. All that’s left is for the official closing of the deal — and that’s expected to happen tomorrow. Citadel owns four Syracuse radio stations. The merged company will keep the Cumulus name.
AUBURN — Private middle school Tyburn Academy is getting out of the radio business after barely getting started. According to documents filed with the FCC, Tyburn is selling its construction permit for 88.7FM (WTMI/Fleming) to Williamsville-based religious broadcaster Holy Family Communications. The pricetag: a mere $1,000.
WASHINGTON, DC — As of today, the Fairness Doctrine, an FCC policy which sparked plenty of debate in the 1980s and again in recent years, has been deleted from the FCC regulations. Longtime residents of Central New York may remember that one of the biggest legal cases leading to the Fairness Doctrine’s downfall, started right here in Syracuse.
FULTON — Students who attend the Fulton Branch Campus of Cayuga Community College have one more way to feel like they’re right on the main campus in Auburn. The FCC recently granted “license to cover” status to a new FM translator in Fulton, which is simulcasting the programming of student-operated Win-89FM (WDWN/Auburn).
UTICA/ROME — The newest affiliate of the Syracuse-based Mars Hill Network, WMHU (91.1/Cold Brook) is now fully licensed by the FCC. The “License to Cover” was granted on July 11, but the FCC officially announced the approval today.
UTICA — Mayor David Roefaro (D) wants the FCC to ban the use of the term “breaking news” in broadcast advertising. In a letter to the FCC, Roefaro calls the practice a “cheap advertising tactic” aimed at taking advantage of consumers.
WASHINGTON, DC — When you hear that annoying modem-like tone signaling the start of an Emergency Alert System (EAS) activation, you usually expect to hear either a test message, or a severe weather warning. Thankfully, EAS has never been needed for a national-level alert. But, if we ever needed EAS for a national alert, would it work? We’ll find out for sure later this year.
SYRACUSE — Cazenovia College’s WITC 88.9 is back on the air, following more than two weeks off-air due to a transmitter malfunction. The station is currently using a transmitter on-loan from WHWS at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva.
UTICA/ROME — The company planning to build a new AM station licensed to serve Little Falls has filed paperwork with the FCC to move the station to a new location, southeast of the original tower site. As a result, it appears WKAJ 1120 will eventually sign-on with Saint Johnsville as it’s community of license.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — There has never been a nationwide activation of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) or its predecessors, but that’s going to change. Citing a desire to “determine the reliability of the EAS system and its effectiveness in notifying the public of emergencies and potential danger nationwide and regionally,” the Commission has announced plans to activate a Presidential Alert, to be carried by all EAS-participating agencies nationwide.
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