The Battle Over WWCD Heats Up
• Over the weekend, 33-year-old Alternative WWCD (CD 92.9)/Columbus, OH, which calls itself “one of Ohio’s last independently operated radio stations,” announced it will be signing off the air — for the second time — on January 31. The news was shared in a memo from Randy Malloy, President & Owner of WWCD, Ltd., and posted to social media.
Malloy’s memo reads, in part, “After extensive discussions, the FCC licensees (ICS Communications, Inc. and Delmar Communications, Inc.) and WWCD, Ltd. d/b/a CD 92.9 were unable to finalize an agreement that would have allowed us to continue broadcasting on the FM dial.”
WWCD originally launched in 1990 as an independently-owned and operated Alternative station, later moving to 102.5. On Nov. 1, 2020, unable to reach an agreement with the owner of the FCC license [WHIZ-TV/Zanesville, OH], CD 102.5 was forced to signed off, but remained online. The following month, Malloy found a new broadcast home at 92.9, and returned to the air on Dec. 31, 2020 with two new antennas: one downtown and the second in Delaware, OH.
Malloy added, “While it pains me to once again announce our departure from the airwaves, the WWCD radio brand, along with CD 92.9 merchandise, will remain available on our website, cd929fm.com.”
• And then things got weird — Brent Casagrande, Pres. of Delmar Media issued this statement, which reads, “On December 1, 2020, Delmar communications and WWCD Ltd. entered into an agreement to broadcast WWCD formerly on 102.5 on Delmar’s radio frequencies 92.9 FM, 1550AM and 1580. This agreement was for three years with an option to renew for another three-year term. The agreement also contained an option to purchase the radio frequencies during the six-year term.
Randy Malloy, President of WWCD Ltd. has opted not to renew the agreement. At midnight February 1, 2024, WWCD in its current form will cease broadcasting on the Delmar frequencies. Delmar Media is happy to report it will continue the legacy of WWCD by debuting A new and refreshing version of The NEW WWCD at that time. The NEW WWCD will continue its support of local artists and some of the legacy programs that have made the station a favorite of central Ohio radio listeners.”
Casagrande noted, “We will be reinstating free online streaming and a full complement of online digital products through our website at www.cd929columbus.com and streaming through the TuneIn app. We wish to thank Randy Malloy for his contributions to WWCD over the years and wish him well in his future endeavors.”
Shortly thereafter, Malloy’s team responded, stating, “ICS Communications, Inc. and Delmar Media, Inc., the FCC licensees of WWCD-AM and WQCD-AM, asked us, WWCD, Ltd. d/b/a CD 92.9, if we would transfer our music library and website to them. We advised them that we own the intellectual property and that if they wished to use it, they would need to purchase it. We pointed out that our agreement with them, which is public record, states: ‘All rights, title and interest in and to any of [CD 92.9j’s programming, including the right to authorize the use of [CD 92.9]’s programming in any manner and in any media, shall be and remain vested at all times solely in [CD 92.9].’
ICS and Delmar are violating this provision by attempting to portray themselves as a continuation of the brand that we spent 30+ years building. As all of you are aware, Randy Malloy has been the face of the WWCD brand for more than 30 years. What you are reading about from ICS Communication, Delmar, or anyone acting on their behalf is not true–they are not a continuation of CD 92.9. They are using our intellectual property without authorization, and we will be taking legal action to protect our brand.”
A more in-depth statement from Malloy’s side is posted to Facebook, and The Columbus Dispatch has further details about this increasingly complicated situation.
