ITHACA - We're a couple days late on this one: W254BF, the former Power 106.9 (WPHR) translator located at 98.7 on the FM dial in Ithaca, is indeed being sold by Clear Channel to Saga Communications. We told you last week that Saga used the outlet to launch a new AAA-formatted station branded as "98.7 The Vine."
At the time of the new format launch, we were somewhat stumped about the arrangement -- as there were no filings on the FCC website indicating any kind of a purchase or an LMA. But on Monday, AllAccess.com reported that the paperwork had finally been filed, listing a $45,000 purchase price.
While translators usually don't have a very far reach, programming from "The Vine" is being simulcast on Saga's WYXL-HD3. Saga has a similar arrangement for CHR "Hits 103.3" (W276AO) which is simulcast as WYXL-HD2.