In a presidential election year, Ohio is always an important State, which means lots of political advertising dollars for radio.
http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/article/20111223/BUSINESS/112230327
Clear Channel’s WMAN-AM in Mansfield, Ohio (located about half way between Columbus and Cleveland) will be switching two FM stations to simulcast Beck (aka “others”), Hannity, Limbaugh, Fox Sports and a local host.
The change takes effect Monday. Merry Christmas!
FM 100.1 (WSWR-FM) is a 3000 watt Clas A station located in Shelby, about 10 miles to the North of Mansfield. It was playing Oldies prior to switching to Christmas music.
FM 98.3 is WXXR-FM, an 860(!) watt station in Fredrickburg (about 10 miles South of Mansfield) that was simulcasting WSWR-FM.
WSWR does not even have local coverage in Mansfield (Map). WXXR covers only a portio nof Mansfield with a local signal (Map)
GAP broadcasting bought many stations like these following the “Go Private” transaction for Clear Channel, but “GAP East” never materialized after being announced, and GAP was later absorbed into Townsqure, Oak Tree Capital’s collection of unviable small town radio station operators.
Mansfield is the county seat of Richland County – your typical “rust belt” town with a shrinking population and abandoned industrial plants. This is a traditionally Republican part of Ohio – they just elected a Republican mayor named Tim Theaker, ousting Don Culliver, the “first African American Mayor” of Mansfield, who was elected 4 years ago. Among Mayor Culliver’s innovative proposals was “Mow to Own”, a program (borrowed from Sandusky) to allow homeowners to earn title to vacant lots next door to them that have been abandoned – if they agree to mow the lawn for two years.