Johnstown on ‘The Edge’

News from Central Pennsylvania, via Scott Fybush’s NorthEast Radio Watch: Johnstown’s WKGE (850) is now simulcasting “The Edge” talk format of Loretto’s WWGE (1400).

WKGE, formerly WNTJ, was sold last year to Michigan-based radio operator Sima Birach, who also owns Pittsburgh’s Radio Disney outlet, WWCS (540, licensed to Canonsburg), while WWGE is owned by Mike McKendree, who several years ago LMA’d Braddock’s former WURP (1550), WLFP.

Meanwhile, Scott also notes that Cary Simpson is selling WGMR-FM (101.1) in Tyrone to Forever Broadcasting, which — to comply with FCC rules — now has to sell WSGY-FM (98.7). That station, licensed to Pleasant Gap, was simulcasting “Froggy 98” WFGY-FM (98.1) in Altoona. It’s going to 2510 Licenses, owned by Nick Galli.

But Galli is involved in a pending deal to sell four other central Pennsylvania stations — WCCL-FM (101.7), WPRR (1490), WBHV (1330) and WLKH-FM (97.7) — to Forever.

“Scorecards, getcher scorecards, ya can’t tell the players without a scorecard.” (To be honest, I’m not sure who owns what right now.)

When the dust settles, and if the FCC approves the sales (several other radio operators in central Pennsylvania are objecting to the transfers), there may be five square miles of Route 220 that aren’t currently blanketed by one of Forever’s stations, but you’d have a hard time finding them.