Erie-area FM Signal Goes to Local Company

Richard Rambaldo is returning to the Erie airwaves

A local company co-owned by the Fairview advertising executive, who was once involved in the ownership of six local radio stations, has won a permit for the region's newest signal -- the 6,000-watt 92.7 FM.

According to a story by Ed Palattella at the Erie Times-News, Rambaldo's First Channel Communications LLC submitted a final high bid of $2,068,000 on Tuesday in a government auction of the frequency, which is licensed for Lawrence Park Township.

The signal was the first to go up for auction in the Erie market since 1999.

First Channel owns no other radio stations in the Erie market, so the Federal Communications Commission gave the company a 35 percent discount toward its final bid. The discount means the actual cost of First Channel's purchase of 92.7 FM will be $1,334,000.

The purchase must undergo regulatory review, but Rambaldo said First Channel has emerged as the winner at the auction.

"This day couldn't be happier for First Channel Communications," Rambaldo said on Tuesday.

He said First Channel will survey the local market before deciding on a format for the new station, which he said he expects to be on the air in early 2012.

"It will be a musical format," Rambaldo said.

With the purchase, First Channel, whose other co-owner is Erie car dealer Dave Hallman Jr., is the only local owner of a commercial radio station in the Erie market. Out-of-town media groups own the other 10 stations -- seven FM and three AM.

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