In this week’s issue… Seven Mountains adds more PA signals – FCC deletes unrenewed FMs – Remembering JT Thomas – Canadian AM-FM move includes format change
By SCOTT FYBUSH
*There aren’t many parts of PENNSYLVANIA where Kristin Cantrell’s Seven Mountains Media doesn’t have a footprint these days, and as of this past week, there are even fewer.
After a whirlwind October that included the announcement of a deal to buy most of Forever’s Keystone State stations (owned by Cantrell’s father, Kerby Confer), Seven Mountains opened up November with two more purchases at opposite ends of the I-80 corridor.
In Clarion, the college town nestled in the mountains of northwest Pennsylvania between Pittsburgh and Erie, Cantrell is buying WCCR-FM (92.7), WWCH (1300) and WWCH’s translator W231DR (94.1) from Clarion County Broadcasting, in a deal that was filed without a price, as yet.
The deal will give Seven Mountains dominant control of the commercial dial in that part of the state, as the Clarion stations join a Meadville/Oil City cluster to the west and a Du Bois-based cluster to the east. We’ll be watching for format changes as WCCR (now doing classic hits as “C93”) and WWCH (country “the GOAT”) are likely integrated with the Du Bois cluster, which includes “Bigfoot Country” WIFT/WKFT and “Pop” hits WPQP/WQQP.
Four hours to the east, Seven Mountains is paying Bud Williamson’s Neversink Radio LLC $400,000 for classic hits WABT (96.7 Lehman Township) and its 97.3 translator in East Stroudsburg. “Pocono 96.7” will join an existing Seven Mountains cluster that includes hot AC WSBG (93.5) and “Bigfoot” WVPO (840/103.1). Williamson keeps his other two stations nearby, “Lite 106.9” (WYNY 1450 Milford) and country WDLC (1490 Port Jervis NY with two translators).
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In this week’s issue… TEGNA deal consolidates Hartford, Scranton, Buffalo stations - CBS to close radio newsroom - Buffalo's Snyder to retire - New FM cancels amidst allegations - Erie's Stehlin retires - New LPTVs on the way
In this week’s issue… Hall sells WCTK, WNBH - Remembering NY's Anastos - WMEX sale withdrawn - Saga moves in western Mass - TikTok Radio launches on iHeart subs
In this week’s issue… Cumulus bankruptcy roils radio - BTPM announces Buffalo format shuffles - WMEX moves newer, ditches Justice - Sliwa returns to NYC AM - Denis to step down at CHUM
In this week’s issue… Student radio survives, thrives at IBS - Kerr extends contract - WSAR sale falls through - WIVB GM departs amidst merger talk - WGR expands east
