NYC Radio: Standby For New Format On 94.7 FM

54 dBu Coverage Map

Family Radio stations signed-off on 94.7 FM, their last commercial FM station, Friday afternoon around 3:30. The sign-off follows the closing of the $40-million sale to Cumulus Media earlier in the week.  (To Listen, Click Here.)  The frequency joins the Cumulus-NYC cluster which also consists of WABC 770 AM and WPLJ 95.5 FM.

Following a few moments of open carrier, 94.7 FM began a simulcast of Hot AC WPLJ.

LISTEN LINE, Click Here.

During the simulcast, a listen seem to indicate tweaks and adjustments being made to the audio processing.  The adjustments apparently were being made between the company’s studios at 2 Penn Plaza in Manhattan and the transmitter site about 15-miles west, in West Orange, NJ.

The simulcast is another step in the evolution of 94.7FM.  The frequency has a long history of religious programming. Family Stations had owned and operated 94.7 FM since 1967. Prior to that the company purchased airtime.

 There quite a bit of anticipation of the format to come.  Guesses have ranged from simulcast of WABC, to alternative rock, to country to CBS Sports Network.

94.7 FM  is shortspaced to multiple stations, including Cumulus’ 94.7 WMAS-FM Enfield CT/Springfield MA.  If Cumulus intends to move the transmitting equipment closer to Manhattan, there would have to be  a downgrade in terms of power for one or both of the stations.

Checkout the Raido Discussions message board for ongoing comments and opinions, Click Here.