Courtesy Business Journals

(July 22, 2010) Clear Channel Radio has donated KFXN AM-690, The Score, to the Minority Media and Telecommunications Council as part of the two organizations’ joint program aimed at increasing minority ownership and management of broadcast properties.

The Washington, D.C.-based council, a nonprofit, will now work to screen and select minority candidates who could best serve their respective communities. The group's mission is to promote equal equality and civil rights in the mass media and telecommunications industries, according to a press release.

The release didn't explain how the donation would impact programming on KFXN-AM 690. Clear Channel uses the 500 watt daytime-only station as an overflow home for its larger sports outlet in the Twin Cities, KFAN-AM 1130, when it has conflicts in programming (Like when there's a Vikings and Timberwolves game at the same time). It mostly airs nationally syndicated sports talk shows by hosts such as the Dan Patrick and Jim Rome. On weekends its programming includes Sporting News Radio and NASCAR race coverage.

The sports/talk radio market in the Twin Cities was shaken up in February when KSTP-AM 1500 switched its format from talk to sports and began a new partnership with ESPN Radio Network. KSTP, which also carriers the Twins broadcasts, began playing some of the ESPN Radio feeds that had previously aired on Clear Channel's local stations.

Clear Channel Radio is a division of Clear Channel Communications Inc. (OTCBB: CCMO) in San Antonio, Texas. From its local studio in St. Louis Park, it also operates KDWB-FM 101.3 (contemporary hits), KEEY-FM 102.1 (K102 country), KQQL-FM 107.9 (oldies), KTCZ-FM 97.1 (Cities 97, adult alternative), and KTLK-FM 100.3 (news/talk).

At last year’s Minority Media and Telecommunications Council conference, Clear Channel Radio donated a transmitter to the council as well as radio stations WHJA-AM in Laurel, Miss.; KYHN-AM in Fort Smith, Ark.; KYFX-AM in Wabasha, Minn.; and WYNF-AM in North Augusta, S.C. On Tuesday, Clear Channel announced it had also given WTOC-AM in Newton, N.J., to the council as well.

“By donating these two additional stations, we’re helping to create more opportunities for those who want to excel in the radio industry,” said John Hogan, president and CEO of Clear Channel Radio in the news release.

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