Welcome Back, CD102… Er… 92.9!

• Well, that was fast — exactly three weeks after independently operated Alternative WWCD (CD102.5)/Columbus left the terrestrial airwaves and went digital-only, owner Randy Malloy is thrilled to report that his baby returned to the air on Nov. 21 — now reborn as CD92.9.

First, a brief history: the former CD102.5 was taken off the air on Oct. 31 when Malloy was unable to reach an equitable agreement to extend the LMA with the owner of the station’s FCC license, Southern Ohio Broadcasting System. Interestingly, Southern Ohio Broadcasting System was able to come to terms with Urban One, and on Nov. 6 entered into an LMA, allowing Urban One to launch Regional Mexican La Grande 102.5 FM.

The new CD 92.9 is made possible thanks to several moving parts and two translators tuned to 92.9 — ICS Communications’ WMYC-AM 1580/W225CS/Columbus, OH and Delmar Communications’ Classic Hits WDLR-AM 1550/W225CM (My 92.9)/Delaware, OH. The new CD92.9 is currently riding on WMYC-AM/W225CS, which will soon inherit the WWCD calls, while the addition of WDLR’s W225CM translator will happen on Jan. 1, 2021. At that time, WDLR’s format and call letters will move to 1270-AM & 96.7FM. New calls for the 1550 Delaware signal will be announced.

Malloy remarked, “We continued to broadcast digitally online, so we never went away. However, we are ecstatic to get back to the business of independent radio where we belong on the FM — and now AM — dial. Big corporate radio is slashing staff by the thousands across the United States, and we are proud to continue to offer live, independently operated radio and continue our commitment to local businesses, local artists, and the entire Columbus community — and soon the Delaware, OH community. We are one of the last bastions of independent radio in the United States – and we relish that role.” He added, “Independent radio is important to music culture in the United States because it provides a way for bands and musicians who haven’t been signed to a major label to have their music heard by a broad audience. Independent radio means the best live DJs in real-time, who live in our city — not pre-recorded talk, streamed in from another place. It means more new music and more variety. It means people who really care about music and the artists who make it. It means Brian Phillips, Tom Butler, Grayson Kelly, Laura Lee, and the rest of our amazing on-air talent, who not only work in Columbus, but live here too.”