STL Signal BOOST

• Last week’s ambitious Entercom/Urban One station exchange deal that involves Philadelphia, St. Louis, Washington, DC and Charlotte included a section that noted that Entercom would acquire the format, brand and creative assets of Urban One Adult R&B WFUN (95.5 The Lou)/St. Louis and relocate everything over to sister KNOU, the current home of Top 40 NOW 96.3.

Answering the musical question, “Hey, so what happens to 95.5?,” Gateway Creative Broadcasting, owners of Contemporary Christian KLJY (99.1 JOY FM) and Christian “Hip Hop & Pop” sister KPVR (BOOST 101.9)/St. Louis announced it is acquiring the 95.5 signal from Urban One via LMA and plans to move BOOST over to the stronger 95.5 frequency in January.

As the announcement from Gateway Creative President Sandi Brown reads, “With a population count coverage of two million people, 95.5 will expand the BOOST footprint and outreach potential. Gateway Creative Broadcasting expects to launch BOOST on 95.5 fm January 4, 2021 under a time brokerage agreement.” BOOST is currently broadcasting via translator K270BW at 101.9, along with two rimshot signals — 94.1 KPVR and 97.7 KHZR. PD Mike Couchman says 95.5 will become the flagship frequency for Boost, which in the short term will simulcast on all of the above signals. Naturally, this asset purchase is subject to FCC approval.