WTCF

Last updated
WTCF
KLOVE 2014.svg
Broadcast area
Frequency 103.3 FM MHz
BrandingK-LOVE
Programming
Format Contemporary Christian [1]
Affiliations K-LOVE
Ownership
Owner Educational Media Foundation
WAIW, WLVW, WLZV
History
First air date
August 15, 2012
Call sign meaning
"The Cross FM" (former branding/format)
Technical information [2]
Licensing authority
FCC
Facility ID 189559
Class A
Power 350 watts
HAAT 410 meters (1,350 ft)
Transmitter coordinates
39°10′58.0″N78°23′23.0″W / 39.182778°N 78.389722°W / 39.182778; -78.389722
Translator(s) 98.9 MHz W255CK (Front Royal)
Links
Public license information
Webcast Listen live
Website www.klove.com

WTCF is a Contemporary Christian formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Wardensville, West Virginia, serving the Northern Shenandoah Valley in Virginia and the Eastern Panhandle and Potomac Highlands of West Virginia. [1] [3] WTCF is owned and operated by Educational Media Foundation. [4]

Contents

Pre-broadcast history

On May 23, 2011, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced Alex Media, Inc. as high bidder and winner of the auction for the 103.3 FM frequency to be located in Wardensville, West Virginia, part of Auction 91. [5] Alex Media filed a construction permit on August 17, 2011, for a radio station to broadcast on that frequency and transmit from Little North Mountain in western Frederick County, Virginia. [6]

A potential problem between the new station and existing station WLTK, which was also broadcasting on 103.3, was corrected after Alex Media asked the FCC to file a "Show Cause" notice asking WLTK to move to vacant frequency 102.9 FM. [6] [7] On November 7, 2011, WLTK filed to move from 103.3 FM to 102.9 FM, allowing Alex Media to begin broadcasting on 103.3 FM without interference. [8] On June 15, 2012, the owners of WLTK applied for and were granted a new broadcast license moving it from 103.3 to 102.9, but from the same location and tower, at the same power and over the same coverage area as previously. [9] On June 19, 2012, WLTK officially switched frequencies from 103.3 to 102.9 MHz.

The call sign WTCF was awarded on March 19, 2012, [10] and on June 21, 2012, it was announced on "The Cross FM", a web-only radio station broadcasting from WTRM's studios in Winchester, Virginia, that it would launch on WTCF in "45 to 60 days". [11]

On June 25, 2012, Alex Media entered into an Option Agreement to sell WTCF to WTRM owners Timber Ridge Ministries, Inc. for $650,000. [12] A time brokerage agreement was also entered on the same date. [13] On the same day, Alex Media applied for a construction permit to move to another tower, 100 feet (30 m) from the authorized tower, with an increase in power, from 340 watts to 350 watts. [14] One day later on July 26, 2012, the station announced via their official Facebook page, that they would be launching on September 4, 2012, but will be in "testing mode" during the month of August. [15] At 10:00am, on August 15, 2012, WTCF began operations in "testing mode". [16]

On August 28, 2012, Alex Media filed an "Application for Construction Permit for Commercial Broadcast Station" for WTCF in advance of the station's September 4 launch. [17] It would not be until one month later, on September 28, that WTCF would apply for and be granted an FM broadcast license. [18] WTCF ended their "testing mode" programming and officially launched on September 4, 2012 at 9:00 am. [19]

Sale of WTRM

On February 6, 2013, Timber Ridge Ministries sold then-sister station WTRM to the American Family Association for $1.1 million. [20] [21] [22] The sale was approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on March 28, 2013 [23] and was closed on April 11, 2013. [24] At 8:30 pm on April 11, 2013, WTRM officially switched to American Family Radio programming with "Southern Light" programming remaining online on a Timber Ridge Ministries owned website. [25]

WTCF was not part of the sale and programming on WTCF was not affected. [21]

Sale of WTCF

Alex Media, Inc. filed an Asset Purchase Agreement with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on July 5, 2013, beginning the process of selling WTCF to Timber Ridge Ministries for $650,000. [26] Alex Media had previously entered into an Option Agreement to sell WTCF to Timber Ridge Ministries for $650,000 back on June 25, 2012. [12] An application to assign the WTCF license to Timber Ridge Ministries was filed on August 26, 2013, [27] and was consummated on September 1, 2013.

Format Flip

WTCF signed off its hybrid contemporary Christian/Christian rock/Christian hip hop after just 18 months on the air, switching to Southern Gospel as "Southern Light" at 12Noon on March 27, 2014. [28] The "Southern Light" format was previously heard on former sister-station WTRM. [29]

Sold again

On May 19, 2014, Educational Media Foundation (EMF) purchased WTCF, from owner Timber Ridge Ministries, for $425,000. [30] [31] Timber Ridge sold the station for $175,000 less than what they purchased it for in 2013. [26] In its filing with the FCC, EMF announced plans to make WTCF an affiliate of their K-LOVE network. [32]

The FCC granted the sale of WTCF on July 2, 2014. [33] Timber Ridge closed on a sale of nearby station, WVRS, on July 3, 2014. [34] Four days later, the station began simulcasting its Southern Gospel format on WVRS. [35]

At 12:00am on August 1, the simulcast of WVRS and WTCF ended. [36] The Southern Gospel format remained on WVRS, with K-LOVE programming beginning on WTCF. [37] The sale of WTCF to EMF was closed on September 2, 2014. [38]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WMXA</span> FM radio station in Alabama, United States

WMXA is a radio station licensed to serve Opelika, Alabama. The station is owned by San Antonio–based iHeartMedia, through licensee iHM Licenses, LLC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WCLG-FM</span> Radio station in Morgantown, West Virginia

WCLG-FM is an active rock formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Morgantown, West Virginia, serving North-Central West Virginia. WCLG-FM is owned by WVRC Media and operated under their AJG Corporation licensee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KRSA (Alaska)</span> Radio station in Petersburg, Alaska (1982–2014)

KRSA was a broadcast radio station licensed to Petersburg, Alaska, serving Southeast Alaska. KRSA was last owned and operated by Sea-Christ Broadcasting Corporation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WAMM (AM)</span> Radio station in Mount Jackson, Virginia

WAMM is a country and Americana formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Mount Jackson, Virginia, serving Woodstock and Shenandoah County, Virginia. WAMM is owned and operated by Shenandoah Valley Group, Inc.

WLTK is a Contemporary Christian formatted broadcast radio station licensed to New Market, Virginia, serving the Harrisonburg/Staunton area. WLTK is owned and operated by Educational Media Foundation.

WGRQ is a classic hits formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Fairview Beach, Virginia, serving Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania Courthouse, and Bowling Green in Virginia. WGRQ is owned and operated by Telemedia Broadcasting, Inc.

WPDX is a commercial radio station licensed to Morgantown, West Virginia, carrying a classic country format as a full-time WPDX-FM simulcast. Serving both Morgantown and Monongalia County, WPDX is owned by WVRC Media and operated under their AJG Corporation licensee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WKQY</span> Radio station in Tazewell, Virginia

WKQY is a Contemporary Christian and Religious-formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Tazewell, Virginia, serving Tazewell and Richlands in Virginia and Welch in West Virginia. WKQY is owned and operated by CSN International.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WESP</span> Radio station in Dothan, Alabama

WESP is a radio station broadcasting a classic hits music format. Licensed to Dothan, Alabama, United States, the station serves the Wiregrass Region. The station is currently owned by Robert Holladay and licensed to Alabama Media, LLC.

WHLQ is a Black Gospel and Urban Contemporary formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Lawrenceville, Virginia, serving Lawrenceville and Brunswick County, Virginia. WHLQ is owned and operated by Ilmar and Gerardo Ruiz, through licensee Hosanna Christian Media, Inc.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KMRN</span> Radio station in Cameron, Missouri

KMRN is an American radio station licensed to serve the community of Cameron, Missouri. The station, founded in 1971, is owned by Alpha Media and the broadcast license is held by Alpha Media Licensee LLC.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KAAJ-LP</span> Radio station in Monticello, Utah

KAAJ-LP is a Religious formatted broadcast radio station. The station is licensed to and serving Monticello in Utah. KAAJ-LP is owned by First Baptist Church of Monticello, Utah and operated under their First Baptist Church licensee.

WLIX-LP is a low power radio station broadcasting a Spanish language Christian radio format, licensed to Ridge, New York. The station is currently owned by RCN Ministry Inc.

WHDZ is a community radio station broadcasting a variety format. Licensed to Buxton, North Carolina, United States, the station is currently owned by Radio Hatteras, Inc.

KPNY is a radio station broadcasting a Religious music format. Licensed to Alliance, Nebraska, United States. The station is owned by My Bridge Radio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WQLS</span> Radio station in Camden, Alabama

WQLS was an American non-commercial educational radio station licensed to serve the community of Camden, Alabama. The station's broadcast license is held by Wilcox Broadcast Communications, LLC.

WVRX is a Southern Gospel formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Strasburg, Virginia, serving the Northern Shenandoah Valley. WVRX is owned by Point FM Ministries. WVRX simulcasts sister station WVRS.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WVRS</span> Radio station in Gore, Virginia

WVRS is a Southern Gospel formatted broadcast radio station licensed to Gore, Virginia, serving Western Frederick County, Virginia and Eastern Hampshire County, West Virginia. WVRS is owned and operated by Point FM Ministries, Inc.

WJVR is a commercial radio station licensed to Iron Gate, Virginia, serving Covington and Clifton Forge in Virginia. It has a classic rock radio format and is owned and operated by Todd P. Robinson. It also carries Alleghany High School sports. The studios and offices are on Oak Street in Covington.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Centennial Broadcasting</span>

Centennial Broadcasting is a small market radio broadcasting company based in Clemmons, North Carolina. The company is led by President and CEO Allen B. Shaw. Shaw began his career in 1959, at the age of 15, at radio station WRWB in Kissimmee, Florida.

References

  1. 1 2 "Arbitron Station Information Profiles". Nielsen Audio/Nielsen Holdings . Retrieved August 1, 2014.
  2. "Facility Technical Data for WTCF". Licensing and Management System. Federal Communications Commission.
  3. "60 dBu Service Contour for WTCF, 103.3 MHz, Wardensville, WV". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. Retrieved July 6, 2013.
  4. "WTCF Facility Record". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
  5. "FCC FM Broadcast Auction - Auction ID: 91 - Winning Bids". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. May 23, 2011. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
  6. 1 2 Delawder, Darryl K. "Exhibit 27 - Engineering Statement Regarding Section 73.315". Delawder Communications, Inc. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
  7. Crawford, Susan N. (August 17, 2011). "Notice of Show Cause". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
  8. "Application for Construction Permit for Commercial Broadcast Station". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. November 7, 2011. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
  9. Application for FM Broadcast Station License
  10. "Call Sign Desk - Query". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. Retrieved May 2, 2012.
  11. "In case you missed..." The Cross FM/Timber Ridge Ministries, Inc. June 22, 2012. Retrieved July 14, 2012.
  12. 1 2 "Option Agreement". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  13. "Time Brokerage Agreement". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  14. "Application for Construction Permit for Commercial Broadcast Station". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. Retrieved June 25, 2012.
  15. "The Cross FM OFFICIAL LAUNCH on Your FM DIAL: September 4th!". The Cross FM/Timber Ridge Ministries, Inc. July 26, 2012. Retrieved July 27, 2012.
  16. "The time is here..." The Cross FM/Timber Ridge Ministries, Inc. August 15, 2012. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
  17. "Application for Construction Permit for Commercial Broadcast Station". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. August 28, 2012. Retrieved September 29, 2012.
  18. "Application for FM Broadcast Station License". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. September 28, 2012. Retrieved September 29, 2012.
  19. "As of..." The Cross FM/Timber Ridge Ministries, Inc. September 3, 2012. Retrieved September 3, 2012.
  20. "Application for Consent to Assignment of Broadcast Station Construction Permit or License". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. February 6, 2013. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
  21. 1 2 "Asset Purchase Agreement". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. February 5, 2013. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
  22. "Virginia Noncomm And Its Pennsylvania Translators Sold". All Access Music Group. February 8, 2013. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
  23. "Application Search Details". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. Retrieved March 29, 2013.
  24. "Georgia AM Sold". All Access Music Group. April 11, 2013. Retrieved April 11, 2013.
  25. "American Family Radio's newly..." Robert F. Corbin via Twitter. April 11, 2013. Retrieved July 5, 2013.
  26. 1 2 "Asset Purchase Agreement". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. June 27, 2013. Retrieved July 5, 2013.
  27. "Application for Consent to Assignment of Broadcast Station Construction Permit or License". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. August 26, 2013. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  28. "The Cross FM". The Cross FM/Timber Ridge Ministries, Inc. March 27, 2014. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  29. "The southern gospel format..." Robert F. Corbin via Twitter. March 27, 2014. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  30. "Kentucky Trio, Two AMs In Washington State, West Virginia FM Sold". All Access Music Group. May 19, 2014. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  31. "Application for Consent to Assignment of Broadcast Station Construction Permit or License". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. May 19, 2014. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  32. "Main Studio Waiver". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  33. "Application Search Details - BALED-20140516AAA". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  34. "Consummation Notice". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. July 3, 2014. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  35. "Please Make Note..." Timber Ridge Ministries/Facebook. July 7, 2014. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  36. "Starting August 1, 2014 we will only be..." Timber Ridge Ministries/Facebook. July 28, 2014. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
  37. "K-LOVE Master Station List". Educational Media Foundation. Archived from the original on May 16, 2011. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
  38. "Consummation Notice". Federal Communications Commission, audio division. September 3, 2014. Retrieved September 4, 2014.