NorthPine.com

19/02/2024

The FCC has granted a construction permit for a new low-power FM station that will transmit from this distinctive tower in the northwestern Twin Cities metro.

The FCC has granted AddiEun Foundation a construction permit for a new low-power FM station in the northwestern Twin Cities metro. The CP calls for the new station to transmit with 33 Watts from a distinctive tower in Plymouth (above), owned by American Towers, which is also home to a low-power TV s...

12/02/2024

A station north of Milwaukee has switched to a Classic Rock format as it launches a new FM translator signal in the northern suburbs.

A station north of Milwaukee has switched to a Classic Rock format as it launches a new FM translator signal in the northern suburbs. Magnum Media's former WIBD/1470 (West Bend) is now WRYU "We Rock You," replacing a Classic Hits/Information format that had aired on WIBD and W267CL/101.3. WRYU is re...

08/02/2024

Parking your car at any random overlook on Minnesota's North Shore, even in the winter, is guaranteed bring in dozens of stations from Wisconsin and Michigan. So far, I've logged 251 stations from 13 states and provinces.

For decades, I've been enjoying drives up and down Minnesota's North Shore of Lake Superior, not just for the stunning beauty, but for the radio reception. (You can't be too surprised by that after reading this website, can you?) As I mentioned in a post last year, the lake enhances regional recepti...

28/01/2024

The only commercial FM radio station in Cook County, Minnesota, has returned its license.

The only commercial FM radio station in Cook County, Minnesota, has returned its license. Shire & Shore Communications submitted a cancellation application for WFNX/95.3 (Grand Marais) on Jan. 23. The FCC formally canceled the station's license and deleted its callsign on Jan. 25. WFNX had been the....

26/01/2024

Among this week’s news items, a job posting says Wisconsin Public Radio is planning an expansion of Classical music programming.

A job posting for a new host says Wisconsin Public Radio is planning an expansion of Classical music programming.

15/01/2024

Tegna’s stations have returned to DirecTV and AT&T U-verse after a retransmission consent dispute that resulted in the stations being removed for six weeks.

Tegna's stations have returned to DirecTV and AT&T U-verse after a retransmission consent dispute that resulted in the stations being removed for six weeks. The two companies said in a brief statement on Saturday, January 13, that they had reached a new multi-year distribution agreement covering 64....

15/01/2024

A TV station in North Dakota is temporarily off the air. Elsewhere, several FM stations in Duluth, Iowa City, and the Upper Peninsula are operating at reduced power.

12/01/2024

A Green Bay morning show is off the air after less than a month, while a La Crosse show is now simulcasting in Eau Claire and a morning farm broadcast has added seven stations.

10/01/2024

Often lost in the coverage of retransmission consent disputes between broadcasters and pay TV providers is the fact that broadcast TV is still free.

Often lost in the coverage of retransmission consent disputes between broadcasters and pay TV providers is the fact that broadcast TV is still free. Many articles on the disputes, like this recent article from NextTV, lament the impact on consumers but completely omit the fact that network TV is sti...

05/01/2024

A longtime Madison TV anchor is signing off, while a Marquette anchor is moving to Milwaukee. In Green Bay, two morning co-hosts have joined a competitor.

04/01/2024

Mid-West Family/Clear Water Brands has brought “The Farm” to a second Wisconsin market.

Mid-West Family/Clear Water Brands has brought "The Farm" to a second Wisconsin market. WEAQ/1150 and W240DC/95.9 (Chippewa Falls-Eau Claire) has adopted the Classic Country/Ag News format, replacing "Jamz" Hip-Hop. "The Farm" features ag news updates from the Mid-West Farm Report at the top and bot...

02/01/2024

Broadcast TV viewers are seeing channel changes as a result of national digital subchannel changes as the new year begins. Circle and Twist have left the air, while new networks Outlaw and THE365 have launched and Dabl has changed its programming.

Broadcast TV viewers are seeing channel changes in many markets as a result of national digital subchannel changes as the new year begins. Circle and Twist have left the air, while new networks Outlaw and THE365 have launched. Meanwhile, Dabl made a change in programming from cooking and home improv...

01/01/2024

The FCC says it will no longer allow TV broadcasters to circumvent “top four” ownership rules by using subchannels or low-power stations, but existing combinations are grandfathered.

The FCC says it will no longer allow TV broadcasters to circumvent "top four" ownership rules by using subchannels or low-power stations, but existing combinations are grandfathered.

29/12/2023

Twin Cities radio veterans Ian Punnett and Pat Ebertz have died. In other news, an IPR reporter is headed to MPR and a group owner has renewed its NBC affiliations.

22/12/2023

There’s an anchor move in Des Moines, new anchors in Madison and Green Bay, and TV departures in La Crosse and Fargo.
Meanwhile, Omaha has a new morning radio co-host.

There's an anchor move in Des Moines, new anchors in Madison and Green Bay, and TV departures in La Crosse and Fargo. Meanwhile, Omaha has a new morning radio co-host.

21/12/2023

There are few obvious conflicts between applications for new low-power FM stations in the Upper Midwest.

The applications include:
-Four in the greater Twin Cities metro area
-Four seeking the same frequency in the Milwaukee area
-Five seeking different frequencies in Omaha

There are few obvious conflicts between applications for new low-power FM stations in the Upper Midwest, submitted during a recent FCC filing window. An initial glance shows only a half-dozen conflicts among groups seeking the same frequency, with five of the six conflicts in Wisconsin. Four groups....

15/12/2023

Everyone at MIX 108 is heartbroken to learn about the passing of our friend Jeanne Ryan. Our condolences to her family at this difficult time.

Join us Monday morning from 8-10 as we pay tribute to her and all she’s done for our community.

RIP Jeanne, we will miss you ❤️

13/12/2023

Adult Contemporary is the top format adopting All-Christmas playlists, while there are three Upper Midwest cities with four All-Christmas options.

AC is the top format adopting All-Christmas playlists, while there are three Upper Midwest cities with four All-Christmas options.

12/12/2023

Minnesota Public Radio is selling its Classical music station in the ski community of Sun Valley, Idaho.

Minnesota Public Radio is selling its Classical music station in the ski community of Sun Valley, Idaho. An asset purchase agreement filed with the FCC indicates the Idaho State Board of Education will pay MPR $120,000 for KWRV/91.9 (Sun Valley). The Idaho State Board of Education operates Boise Sta...

09/12/2023

UPDATE: Coastal Television Group is buying the FOX affiliates in Duluth and Fargo for $18.1 million, according to an asset purchase agreement filed with the FCC.

Coastal Television Group is buying the FOX affiliates in Duluth and Fargo for $18.1 million, according to an asset purchase agreement filed with the FCC.

08/12/2023

The Minnesota Twins have announced new TV and radio announcers. Also:
-Longtime Madison meteorologist retiring
-Omaha anchor moves to a competitor
-Replacement named after longtime Quad Cities anchor ends show
-Longtime Nebraska Public Media leader to retire

The Minnesota Twins have announced new TV and radio announcers. Elsewhere, a longtime Madison meteorologist is retiring and an Omaha anchor has moved to a competitor.

04/12/2023

Recent FCC filings include a TV station beginning broadcasts from St. Paul, closing of a Michigan radio/TV sale, and a new FM station signing on in Nebraska.

02/12/2023

After a previous plan to sell its stations was withdrawn, Red River Broadcast Corp. has announced plans to sell its TV stations to Coastal Television.

28/11/2023

UPDATE: Border Broadcasting has withdrawn an application to transfer voting interests in the company, which owns three radio signals in the area where Minnesota, Manitoba, and Ontario meet.

Border Broadcasting has withdrawn an application to transfer voting interests in the company, which owns three radio signals in the area where Minnesota, Manitoba, and Ontario meet. The company owns Country-formatted KKWQ/92.5 (Warroad), Classic Rocker KRWB/1410 (Roseau), and KRWB translator K275BB/...

22/11/2023

Family Worship Center Church, led by Jimmy Swaggart, is buying a full-power TV station in Milwaukee.

Family Worship Center Church, led by Jimmy Swaggart, is buying a full-power TV station in Milwaukee. According to an asset purchase agreement filed with the FCC on Nov. 21, Family Worship Center Church will pay Randy Nonberg's Milwaukee Media LLC $8.9 million for WIWN/68.1, which is licensed to Fond...

17/11/2023

This week's packed report includes news of morning radio hosts in Duluth and Green Bay, Wisconsin reporter moves, national attention for a UP station, and new channels in the new year.

A packed report includes news of morning hosts in Duluth and Green Bay, Wisconsin reporter moves, national attention for a UP station, and new channels in the new year.

04/11/2023

A half-dozen more Upper Midwest stations joined the All-Christmas list today, including stations in Madison, the Quad Cities, Rapid City, and Grand Forks. But unlike last year, Minneapolis did not join the list on the first Friday of November.

(List is sorted by state, then market) CITYSTATIONSTARTFORMATNOTESCedar Rapids, IALeo 136011/3OldiesDavenport, IAMix 9611/3ACMarquette, MI94.1 The Breeze11/2ACMarquette, MI106.1 The Sound11/1Light Classic HitsWFXD-HD4 and translatorBemidji, MN1300/94.3 The Legends11/1Classic CountryAM station and FM...

03/11/2023

One more station has joined the All-Christmas list today. More tomorrow?

LIST: https://www.northpine.com/blog/2023-all-christmas-stations/

02/11/2023

Christmas came earlier to the radio dials this year in Milwaukee and Omaha, marking a return to earlier flips to the All-Santa playlist in the Brew City.

Christmas came earlier to the radio dials this year in Milwaukee and Omaha, marking a return to earlier flips to the All-Santa playlist in the Brew City. Saga's "Pure Oldies 106.9" (WRXS Brookfield-Milwaukee) made its transition to "WRXS-Mas" on Wednesday, Nov. 1, a full 17 days earlier than last ye...

27/10/2023

📻 Marconi Awards for Minnesota
☀️ New Minneapolis meteorologist
🎸 740-station Beatles simulcast

Two Twin Cities radio stations have won 2023 Marconi Radio Awards, and iHeartMedia is planning a national simulcast event to debut the new Beatles song.