Bill Virgin's Radio Beat October 12, 2006

[radiofan]

Thursday, October 12, 2006

On Radio: FCC clears the way for a new station, but don't touch that dial just yet

By BILL VIRGIN
P-I REPORTER

A Federal Communications Commission division has approved a proposal for two small school-district-affiliated FM stations to change locations on the dial, clearing the way for a larger commercial FM station to move from The Dalles, Ore., to Covington in south King County.

But don't expect to hear the new station anytime soon, or to go searching the FM dial for the new homes of those other two.

An attorney for one of the parties calls the ruling "just a component" in the case, not the final decision. And he adds that even that component is being challenged by a competing group with aspirations of moving another station into the Seattle market.

The long-running saga of the proposed move of Mid-Columbia Broadcasting Inc.'s KMCQ-FM (104.5) to this region generated considerable attention because it threatened to knock off the air KMIH-FM (104.5), the student-operated station at Mercer Island High School (that station, having a lower class of license, would have had to avoid interference with KMCQ).

Earlier this year, the parties in the dispute announced a tentative settlement: KMCQ would move as planned and KMIH would relocate on the dial to 88.9. Because that would put it too close to KASB-FM (89.3), which operates at Bellevue High School, that station agreed to move to 89.9, and would be granted permission to increase its power.

The FCC's media bureau audio division issued a memorandum opinion and order in late September approving the settlement.

Which doesn't, as it turns out, settle the matter. Dominic Monahan, an attorney representing Mid-Columbia, says the order has been challenged with an application for review, meaning that the matter now goes before the full commission. That challenge comes from a group calling itself Triple Bogey, which has proposed relocating an Aberdeen station to Shoreline on the same frequency Mid-Columbia wanted. There's no estimate on when the FCC will rule.

Here are a few more twists in an already complex situation: The move of KMCQ to Covington would require a slight move on the dial for Bellingham's KAFE-FM (104.3), although general manager Rick Staeb notes that's a long way off, if it happens at all. "There are still many pieces that have to come together," he says.

Meanwhile, Texas-based First Broadcasting Co. continues to hold an option to acquire KMCQ, Monahan said.



In other radio notes:


KJR-AM (950) has added Bob Costas' new talk show at 10 p.m. Saturdays.


Don Riggs' guests on "Introspect Northwest" at 7 a.m. Saturday on KPTK-AM (1090) and 7 a.m. Sunday on KMPS-FM (94.1) include Annie Laurie Armstrong, author of "Jobs Aren't Enough."


The Tom Varner Chamber Trio performs on "Sonarchy" at midnight Saturday on KEXP-FM (90.3).


Tami Kosch's guests on "Community Matters Weekend Edition" at 6 a.m. Sunday on KPTK-AM include David Wallachinsky, author of "Tyrants: The World's 20 Worst Living Dictators.'


Lizz Sommars' guests on "Conversations" at 6 a.m. Sunday on KISW-FM (99.9), KBSG-FM (97.3) and KKWF-FM (100.7) include "Welcome to the Heartland" author Brian Mann.


Jim Wilke's "Jazz Northwest" at 1 p.m. Sunday on KPLU-FM (88.5) includes a recent performance by The Bill Mays Trio and members of The Finisterra Trio.


The Sunday edition of Jim French's "Imagination Theatre," heard at 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday on KIXI-AM (880), includes a new Harry Nile adventure.


"Voices of Diversity" at 6 p.m. Wednesday on KBCS-FM (91.3) looks at relations between the hip-hop community and police.

P-I reporter Bill Virgin can be reached at 206-448-8319 or billvirgin@seattlepi.com.

Bill Virgin's Radio Beat in the Seattle P-I