Idaho Radio News Etc.

KQPI – the new country station in Eastern Idaho is changing hands. The station will flip from College Creek to Sandhill Media Group.

KQPI signed on the air just last week with a city of license of Aberdeen – serving the greater Pocatello area. Sandhill pays $1.1 million — which as Oldtimer notes — is $600,000 below the price College Creek paid at auction.

A trio of Idaho stations under construction permits have to get on the air in coming weeks — or they could lose those permits:

• KQPI licensed to Aberdeen has until March 25 to file for their license as a C2 at 99.5 (College Creek-Chris Devine-Chicago)
• KRID licensed to Ashton has until March 28 to file for their license as a class A at 96.5 (College Creek-Chris Devine-Chicago)
• A CP issued to Salmon with no call letters assigned has until April 21 to file for their license as a class C at 94.5 (Skywest Media-Ted Tucker-Tucson AZ)

(Thanks Oldtimer!)

Sand Hill Media launched a new station – KQPI/Magic 99. The station takes KQPI for calls, and is owned by Chris Devine’s College Creek. Our E. Idaho spy notes that a rumored move to Sand Hill Media may be upcoming.

The station positions as “East Idaho’s Hit Music Station,” and I’m told the format sounds quite a bit like KZDX/99.9 The Buzz in the Magic Valley