Welcome to the Business Journal Archives
Search for articles below, or continue to the all new BusinessJournalDaily.com now.
Search
WKBN Stations Reunited in Resource-Sharing Partnership
YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO -- WKBN radio and television stations are one big happy family again -- that is, they'll be sharing news and information in a new partnership that begins tomorrow.In 1997, the three stations with the WKBN call letters were sold by the Williamson family. WKBN-AM and WKBN-FM (now WMXY-FM) were purchased by Jacor Communications, which later merged with Clear Channel Communications, San Antonio. WKBN-TV was purchased by Gocom Communications of Charlotte, N.C., now Piedmont Communications.For a time, the WKBN stations continued to share broadcast facilities at Sunset Boulevard in Boardman. But after Gocom decided to launch the Fox station, the radio stations moved to temporary facilities until Clear Channel's headquarters on South Avenue in Boardman was ready for occupancy -- and the sharing of resources ended.Shortly thereafter, WKBN-TV started working with the Cumulus stations in the Youngstown radio market but that partnership ended when Cumulus decided to join forces with WFMJ-TV. Similarly, WFMJ-TV started working with Clear Channel, a partnership that ended when Clear Channel teamed up with WYTV-TV.Today Piedmont and Clear Channel Radio Youngstown announced a reunion, of sorts, in the form of a partnership that will enable WKBN-TV and its low-power Fox sister station, WYFX, to share news and other information with Clear Channel stations. The broadcast companies say they will also team up on special events, giveaways and contests."This partnership is an exciting new chapter in the long and distinguished history of 27 First News and the radio stations of Clear Channel Radio Youngstown," said WKBN-TV in the news release. "With the shared values and dedication to local news and entertainment, the fit between these organizations is seamless and the possibilities endless."Clear Channel's partnership with WYTV-TV expires at midnight tonight, which means come Saturday morning, radio listeners will hear weather reports provided by WKBN TV's Don Guthrie and not WYTV's Stan Boney.WYTV General Manager Dave Trabert says his station will continue to work with Clear Channel on sales events. "We have a good relationship and we have no reason to think that won't continue."Trabert says he understands Clear Channel's rationale for affiliating with WKBN-TV. "There is a marketing advantage to the common call letters," he explains. "That's the reason they made the change."Visit WKBN-AM at www.570wkbn.comVisit WKBN-TV at www.wkbn.com"