Filing hints dormant Columbus radio brand could take over CD 92.9 FM’s frequency
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A document filed with the Federal Communications Commission sheds light on what may happen when a Columbus alternative radio station is scheduled to go off the air at the end of January.
ICS Communications — one of three parties in failed negotiations over whether station CD 92.9 FM would keep broadcasting on that frequency — filed paperwork Friday to change the call letters. Currently known as WWCD — call letters that have followed CD 92.9 FM through its previous iterations as CD102.5 and CD101 — the FCC approved new call letters of WXGT effective Feb. 1.
The call letters WXGT aren’t new to central Ohio but were part of a dormant brand that ICS and its partner, Delmar Communications, may be trying to resurrect. A 1990 television commercial connects it to 92X, a station that focused on a mix of top 40 hits and rock. The 92X brand disappeared when the station rebranded to WCOL and swapped to country music, according to a 1990 page from industry newspaper R&R. WCOL continues to this day at 92.3 FM.
Delmar and ICS, who work together as part of a shared services agreement, hold the license to the 92.9 FM frequency. Records from the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office list Brent Casagrande as the agent for the former and Mark Litton for the latter, but the pair are also listed respectively as the president and general manager of Delaware classics station My 96.7.
The pair of companies made a deal with WWCD, Ltd.’s owner, Randy Malloy, when his station previously lost access to the frequency 102.5 FM in 2020. Their agreement allowed Malloy’s station to rent the 92.9 FM frequency and send programming to Delmar and ICS’ radio transmitters.
Litton said that while news broke at the start of 2024 about CD 92.9 FM losing its latest frequency, Malloy initiated the process in September. The station owner told the pair of companies that he wasn’t going to renew the current agreement. He wanted a new deal to own the station, its frequency and associated equipment, with monthly payments similar to a mortgage.
While Litton said the group did reach an agreement on sale price, ICS and Delmar had concerns about Malloy previously making late payments and wanted to add protections. When ICS and Delmar made propositions like adding late fees, Malloy couldn’t agree to the terms, and negotiations fell apart.
With Delmar, ICS and WWCD failing to complete an extension of their deal, Malloy announced his station would have to stop airing on the frequency. As of Thursday, 92.9 FM is fated to lose its current audio provider at midnight on Feb. 1.
The dormant 92X brand wasn’t Delmar’s first choice for what to do with the open frequency, according to announcements from Casagrande and Malloy. Casagrande shared his company’s initial idea on Jan. 5 for a new broadcast that would mimic the style of CD 92.9 FM.
“Delmar Media is happy to report it will continue the legacy of WWCD by debuting a new and refreshing version of the NEW WWCD at that time,” wrote Brent Casagrande. “The NEW WWCD will continue its support of local artists and some of the legacy programs that have made the station a favorite of central Ohio radio listeners.”
Malloy was opposed to this, sharing on Jan. 22 that CD 92.9 FM sent a cease-and-desist letter to ICS and Delmar.
“In response, they stated that they will be changing the call letters and will not use ‘WWCD’ going forward,” the station’s team wrote.
Litton couldn’t comment on the new call letters and the possibility of 92X’s revival as of Thursday but said ICS and Delmar would share information in the days ahead.
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