RUMOR CONTROL: WYSL AM-FM IS NOT FOR SALE

[Savage]

It has come to my attention (thanks, Box Of Hair and Freebird) that another radio blog is extensively discussing whether or not WYSL is being shopped - someone has declared that we're listed with Kozacko Media Services for the absurd price of $590,000 (reduced!)

For the record WYSL is NOT for sale.  NOT.

I am intrigued by the description in the broker listing of a "Rochester metro AM" with an "FM translator which covers most of Monroe County."  So I wonder what station around here IS being shopped fitting that description.  Anyone have ideas?  I'm scratching my head....

[Bob1370]

Anyone who knows the Rochester metro knows this station isn't WYSL. The description on Kozacko Media's "Radio For Sale" website can help you figure out what station it might be.

First, here's the description in the posting:

"Rochester ,NY - AM with FM translator $595,000 - Rochester is Market # 56 with $38 million of radio advertising revenues. This signal will cover over 500,000 people and is priced at just $595,000. contact: George Kimble or Pat Anderson"

Now, how do we eliminate WYSL? WYSL's AM signal footprint all by itself (even before you consider its FM translator on Pinnacle Hill) covers too many people 24/7...it's more like 800,000+ in Monroe and Livingston counties alone.  So do all the stations licensed to Rochester proper, none of which have a translator but several of which have full class A or class B FM sister signals. So that eliminates not only WYSL but even the weakest Rochester AM signal.

What's left that COULD fit this description? Only a rimshot AM/translator combo with partial market coverage.  Two candidates that could fit the description come to mind immediately. One is WCGR, a 250-watt daytimer on 1550 with a simulcasting 200 watt FM translator at 104.5 FM. The other would be WGVA, a 1,000 watt fulltimer at 1240 with a recently added FM translator at 96.1 with 220 watts. As it turns out, the George Kimble who is listing the station in question is also a partner (along with his brother Russ) in the Finger Lakes Radio Group, which owns both of the stations I've mentioned as well as a number of others. He may be posting one of his own stations for sale here.

There are a few other AMs in the general area using translators but these two are the best fits with the posted description.

[heydaybegone]

 

First...I like that RCS has Bob1370 doing his leg work in damage control (good sign of good ownership!! )

Second...the WYSL rumor is officially removed...via Sir Savage   

Now...RCS....EVERYTHING has a price tag....what IS yours!!!   ROFLMAO   

All in fun.....HDBG

[Mark_Giardina]

Two candidates that could fit the description come to mind immediately. One is WCGR, a 250-watt daytimer on 1550 with a simulcasting 200 watt FM translator at 104.5 FM. The other would be WGVA, a 1,000 watt fulltimer at 1240 with a recently added FM translator at 96.1 with 220 watts. As it turns out, the George Kimble who is listing the station in question is also a partner (along with his brother Russ) in the Finger Lakes Radio Group, which owns both of the stations I've mentioned as well as a number of others. He may be posting one of his own stations for sale here.

Bob- I thought that George owned WGVA and Russ owned the FM station in Geneva separately. Not that I'm starting any rumors here, but it was my understanding that the brothers Kimble went their separate ways when it came to ownership of their media empire. Am I wrong here or not?

[georgew]

Sorry Bob. The station that IS for sale is WRSB -  1310 AM with an FM translator covering most of Monroe County,and parts of Wayne and Ontario. The price is an excellent opportunity . IF anyone is interested please email me at georgeWkimble@aol.com or check out www.radio4sale.com

[Element9]

Only $595k for an AM and an FM translator that the FCC could shut down should one listener to a co-channel, fully licensed FM station complain?  Caveat emptor.  No disrespect, but it's 2012.  Those who own stations such as these will likely be the last owners, passing them to their heirs by way of their estates.  The "greater fool" principle has run its course, in large part thanks to Clear Channel, Citadel and a host of other players large and small.   

[SirRoxalot]

Maybe you can make a deal for both WASB in Brockport and WRSB in Canandaigua. That way you can miss Rochester from two sides - but you'll have 'em surrounded!

[DaveMasonsd]

Boy, it's a tough room.  Bob, I'll come up there later this month and we'll discuss "Groveland's Greatest Radio Station" and now we can rimshot both with 1040 and 1310.  After all, Groveland will grow someday, won't it? 

[Savage]

I'm way ahead of you, Mike Melody.  That's what the 1220 Lakeville app is all about.  Groveland - better watch out!!!  You too, Linwood!!

Wanna do morning-show oldies??

[Bob1370]

Sir Roxalot speculated (apparently with tongue firmly in cheek), "Maybe you can make a deal for both WASB in Brockport and WRSB in Canandaigua. That way you can miss Rochester from two sides - but you'll have 'em surrounded!"

Rox, it looks like you got your wish. Check out this new posting on the same website where WRSB and its translator had been posted before, filed by George Kimble's associate Dick Kozacko (himself a veteran upstate NY broker);

"NEW – Two Full-Time AM’s Serving Rochester, NY Market
Rochester, NY Arbitron market #56, two full-time AM’s licensed to Rochester suburbs and simulcasting a Christian/talk format. One AM owns real estate and is central site for programming of both stations. Asking price $250,000. Other AM is located in a charming Finger Lakes community. Studios and offices would have to be built for this facility. Asking $400,000.
Contact Dick Kozacko"

Sounds like that's got to be WASB and WRSB, no other pair of stations would answer that description of being fulltime suburban faciities and simulcasting religious programming. The FM translator for WRSB isn't mentioned and therefore presumably not included in this deal. Buy the two AMs together and it sets you back $650K.

Anyone familiar enough with both those properties to venture an opinion on whether they could be run profitably either doing what they're doing now, or hitting the suburban fringe by doing something else?