Tower Rent Dispute Threatens To Take Three Wyoming FMs Dark On Wednesday

Lessor

The RICH BROADCASTING FM stations in in JACKSON HOLE, WY (Country KJAX, Triple A KMTN (THE MOUNTAIN), and Alternative KZJH (KZ95)) face having to go dark due to demands from tower owner AMERICAN TOWER for over almost $500,000 representing three years of back rent it is owed, reports the JACKSON HOLE NEWS AND GUIDE.

RICH BROADCASTING owner RICHARD MECHAM said that “We have tried and tried and tried to work out a deal.  On WEDNESDAY, those stations are going dark.”  MECHAM is arguing that while he owes rent for the tower, AMERICAN TOWER is bound by the terms of the agreement allowing it to have a radio tower in the BRIDGER-TETON NATIONAL FOREST atop SNOW KING MOUNTAIN to charge only rent that is “reasonable and commensurate with the uses and occupancy of the facilities and services provided” and “consistent with, and not in excess of, other fees for similar facilities,” which MECHAM says would be closer to $150,000, or as little as $500 a month for comparable facilities and markets.  KJAX pays $750 per month and KMTN and KZJH pay $3,000 per month in rent.

“Tomorrow the extension expires,” MECHAM told the NEWS AND GUIDE, “and on the eighth their SALT LAKE CITY attorney said they are going to shut us off. There have been no negotiations. They have not talked to us since JANUARY. They could care less. It’s mind-boggling.”

RICH BROADCASTING, LLC's RP BROADCASTING LS, LLC bought the stations as part of a deal for eight full-power FMs and six translators in IDAHO and WYOMING from JERROLD T. LUNDQUIST's CHAPARRAL BROADCASTING, INC. for $3.7 million in 2012.

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