The town of Tiffin, Ohio, is largely known as a college town nestled along the Sandusky River.
Who knew that it would become a hub for radio station transactions in the first half of 2020?
In April, RBR+TVBR reported on the sale of an AM in Tiffin, WTTF, and its FM translator, at 93.3 MHz.
Now, a radio station associated with one of two institutions of higher learning is being spun, making it the latest deal to see a university part ways with a broadcast facility.
Noncommercial, 100-watt WHEI-FM 88.9 in Tiffin, which has a signal that barely extends past the town’s boundaries, is being sold by Heidelberg University to Soaring Eagle Productions of Bellefontaine, Ohio.
What will that mean for listeners? Nothing. Changes have already transpired that saw the freeform college alternative format migrate to an online-only presentation.
RBR+TVBR has covered the sales of noncommercial FMs by colleges and universities extensively over the last several years. Among the properties trading hands: WONB-FM 94.9, a Class A reaching Lima and much of Findlay, Ohio. Ohio Northern University sold that property to Greg and Leo Schroeder-led Holy Family Communications for $175,000.
How much is Heidelberg pocketing for the property, which is already simulcasting Soaring Eagle’s recently upgraded Class B1 WYOR-FM 88.5‘s “Shine FM” Christian Contemporary format?
According to an asset purchase agreement dated January 22 and filed Tuesday (5/19) with the FCC, Soaring Eagle is paying $43,500 for the 100-watter. A $2,000 deposit has been made.
Shine FM is led by GM Mark Boyer.
LINFIELD COLLEGE’S ALL-CLASSICAL DONATION
Travel southwest of Portland, Ore., and you’ll reach Oregon’s Wine Country, and the city of McMinnville.
Here, KSLC-FM 90.3 — a noncommercial Class A — has served as a rebroadcast partner of All Classical Portland, the service led by Suzanne Nance from the eastern side of Tilikum Crossing along the Willamette River.
Now, KSLC licensee Linfield College is donating KSLC to All Classical Portland, which uses Class C1 KQAC-FM 89.9 in Portland, for its network of stations.
KSLC helps All Classical Portland reach McMinnville and points south, including Sheridan.
The KSLC tower is adjacent to Maysara Winery.
