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Kindred Communications loses tower for The Planet, 92.7 FM

Kindred Communications

HUNTINGTON — Kindred Communications, a locally owned and operated radio, internet and publishing company in Huntington, W.Va., lost a 400-foot radio tower last night when the tower for The Planet, 92.7 FM and for WCMI 1340 AM, was blown down by the storms which ripped throughout the Tri-State region of West Virginia, southern Ohio and eastern Kentucky on Tuesday, June 10, leaving thousands without power.


The Planet, 92.7 FM and 98.5 FM, the region’s Real Rock station while WCMI-1340 AM is the local ESPN Station. That tower is located in South Point, Ohio, in a remote location in the Lawrence County. There were no injuries or additional damage from the tower’s collapse last night, and crews were on the scene within two hours once management was informed of the problem. However, damage from the storm had to be removed from the access road to the tower first before the repairs could be started.


The Planet will continue on low power until the tower is repaired, and listeners are reminded they can go to The Planet’s website, www.planet927.com with the site’s “Listen Live” feature. Listeners can use internet options to keep listening to The Planet. On the website, they can download Smart Phone apps, either the IOS Apple app or the Android app. Another way to tune in is to use “Tune In” website, which has The Planet at tunein.com to listen in.


“This is the first time in my 45 yeas in radio I have seen a tower brought down by severe weather,” Kindred Communications President Mike Kirtner said. “We are happy to report there were no injuries, and our crews will be working to restore The Planet 92.7 FM to full power as soon as possible.”


The signal 98.5 FM, a Huntington area translator which feeds the surrounding area a strong signal in a 15-mile arc from the tower — covering Huntington, Ashland, Ky. and Ironton, Ohio, will be back up soon, added Kirtner. “We are working to get the signal for 98.5 FM, as well as our 94.1 FM signal (used in conjunction with WRVC 930-AM radio), moved to our new tower at 555 Fifth Avenue, and expect to have both those signals up in 10 days or less, helping to lessen the problem of reduced power on 92.7 FM.”


The Planet features the region’s best rock morning show, Lex and Terry, as well as Real Rock throughout the rest of the day, and will continue to broadcast the full schedule of programs on the reduced power signal 92.7 FM throughout the replacement of the tower, and will continue to make appearances at remotes and other locations.

Images

  • After math of WCMI-FM tower fall.
  • After math of WCMI-FM tower fall.
  • After math of WCMI-FM tower fall.
  • After math of WCMI-FM tower fall.