Entercom Surrenders License Of KDND/Sacramento, Moves 'The End' Format To 106.5

Moving Down The Dial

ALL ACCESS has confirmed reports that ENTERCOM has told the FCC that it will surrender the license of Top 40 KDND (107.9 THE END)/SACRAMENTO. What's more, the station went on social media to announce that the format will move to 106.5, the frequency of Hot AC KUDL (STAR 106.5), starting MONDAY morning with The WAKE UP CALL morning show.

ENTERCOM offered the following statement on the move:

"Throughout ENTERCOM’s 48-year history, we have maintained a steadfast commitment to operating in the public’s best interest and serving the communities in which we operate. We take great pride in our work, but we fully recognize that all of our good efforts cannot undue the tragic event that took place 10 years ago. Based on the facts, including KDND’s record of community support and service and the jury’s finding that ENTERCOM COMMUNICATIONS was not negligent in relation to 2007 incident, we strongly believe that our renewal application would have been granted. However, after careful consideration we determined it is in the company’s best interests to voluntarily turn in the KDND license to facilitate the timely FCC approvals for the planned combination with CBS RADIO announced on THURSDAY."

The merger with CBS RADIO is expected to be finalized in the second half of 2017.

KDND's license was designated for hearing late last year over the fatal "Hold Your Wee For A Wii" contest; the merger requires the combined ENTERCOM-CBS to divest four of their nine FMs in the SACRAMENTO market.

One of the parties which challenged the KDND license was MEDIA ACTION CENTER, and its Director SUE WILSON said, "This is a huge victory for the Public Interest, and I am grateful that due to the loss of this key station, FCC compliance issues will be on the minds of this and every broadcaster moving forward. But to conclude that ENTERCOM is the good guy here ignores the fact that rather than surrendering their license upon the FCC Hearing Designation Order, they have instead litigated this issue with a huge team of expensive attorneys. Only now that the FCC must approve the company's pending merger with CBS RADIO is this mega corporation doing the 'right thing.'

"However, the Judge has not ruled on MAC's proposed enlargement of issues, including character, reporting, and cluster wide misconduct. These issues may reflect not only on KDND, but on ENTERCOM/SACRAMENTO's cluster of licenses, and indeed on all of ENTERCOM's licenses. We await the judge's decision."

Two Days Of Simulcasts ... And Job Shuffling

A company spokesperson told ALL ACCESS that KDND will continue to be broadcast on 107.9 until WEDNESDAY, FEB. 8th, at 12:01a, when the frequency will go dark. The two days of KDND simulcasts on 107.9 and 106.5 will provide time for the Top 40 to fully alert their listeners to the frequency change.

Regarding the staff of Hot AC KUDL, the spokesperson noted that they "don't anticipate job losses," and that staffers will likely find positions at other stations in the cluster.

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