KZND-LP

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KZND-LP (satellite of KZND-FM 94.7, Houston, Alaska)

Anchorage, Alaska
Branding	87.7 The End
Slogan	Alaska's New Rock Alternative
Channels	6 (VHF) analog
Affiliations	Independent station
Owner	Fireweed Broadcasting
Founded	December 20, 2005
Transmitter Power	920 watts
Website	The End

KZND-LP is a low power commercial modern rock music television station in Anchorage, Alaska, broadcasting on VHF channel 6, taking advantage of that station's audio signal on 87.7 FM. KZND-LP is one of very few low-powered television stations that broadcasts as a radio station. This is possible due to a loophole in FCC regulations:

Sec. 73.653 Operation of TV aural and visual transmitters. The aural and visual transmitters may be operated independently of each other or, if operated simultaneously, may be used with different and unrelated program material.

This means that KZND-LP need not broadcast any particular image, as long as they broadcast a video signal. Local competitors saw KZND's entry into the market as cheating, so they raised a complaint with the FCC. The agency concluded that it is not sufficient for KZND to show the ability to broadcast video, but must actually do so to operate as a low-power station.^[1] KZND complied by broadcasting still pictures, and later by installing a video camera in the studio; this was only used during the live morning show.

KZND-LP is a simulcast of KZND, a standard radio station on 94.7 FM.

The future of KZND on 87.7 is in doubt, as the channel 6 channel position has been assigned to KYES for digital broadcasting, after the analog signal is discontinued in 2009. KYES's owner, Fireweed Broadcasting, currently leases the station to KZND. However, it appears that The End's unusual strategy may have a lasting impact; in 2004, former TV weatherman Jeff Chang began his own low-power station on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, which he claims was inspired by KZND-LP. ^[2]

[edit] See also

KYES

[edit] External links

The End
Query the FCC's TV station database for KZND-LP
Anchorage Press, August 5-11, 1999 (discusses the origins of KZND)

[edit] References

^ KYES's KZND Library maintains documents related to the FCC investigation, as well as responses by the plaintiff and KZND.
^ Honolulu Star Bulletin, 1/13/2004.

Broadcast television in the Anchorage market (Nielsen DMA #154)

Anchorage:
KTUU 2 (NBC) - KTBY 4 (Fox) - KYES 5 (MNTV) - KZND-LP 6 (Ind)¹ - KAKM 7 (PBS) - KTVA 11 (CBS) - KIMO 13 (ABC/The CW on DT2) - KDMD 33 (i/HSN) - KCFT-LP 35 (FamilyNet)