First FM Broadcaster Launches at One World Trade Center

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, September 5, 2018

Antenna Installation Crew

With an increasing number of FM translator licenses being assigned by the FCC, GeoBroadcast Solutions is finding new ways to help broadcasters launch FM radio services in populated areas with crowded spectrum. This is the case with 104.7 FM in New York City, which has become the first FM radio broadcaster to transmit programming from One World Trade Center.

Several New York City TV broadcasters returned to One World Trade Center earlier this year, thanks to a joint effort between The Durst Organization and the Port Authority. This marked the first time that broadcasters had a presence in the World Trade Center since the events of 9/11. The GBS team, who's developed FM spectrum and site infrastructure for broadcasters in Chicago, Las Vegas and other cities, worked with station owner Rahul Walia to find spectrum in the crowded New York City market.

Upon establishing spectrum and an RF infrastructure at One World Trade Center, GBS relocated the station's 99-watt FM translator, Ethnic W284BW-FM (104.7), from its Perth Amboy, NJ location. Since re-launching from One World Trade Center, Walia reports a significant increase in audience share.

"The previous limitations of our Perth Amboy signal have been eliminated since relocated to New York City, which has enabled us to reach an essential part of the New York City market. The signal is now heard from lower Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island to North and Central New Jersey," said Walia. "GBS has a wealth of experience with translator move-ins, and their guidance will be key in identifying and leveraging the right format for 104.7 FM moving forward."

To support the 104.7 FM broadcast, the GBS team struck a deal with WPAT-FM to lease its HD2 sub-channel. Walia, who owns two other FM translators broadcasting from central New Jersey on 92.7 and 100.7, expects that a new format for 104.7 FM will launch in the coming weeks.

"We're focused on helping broadcasters find new homes in major markets where valuable spectrum is at a premium, and we were excited at the opportunity to work with Rahul," said Bert Goldman, an industry consultant who works with GeoBroadcast Solutions. "This has been a two-year process to formulate and execute this project to support the first FM broadcaster from atop the tallest building in North America. 104.7 FM can now reach listeners in areas of the city and metropolitan area that would simply not have been possible to reach from Central New Jersey."