Editor’s Note: This story was updated at 7:30pm Eastern based on newly received information from Nielsen Audio regarding the dates associated with the improper WPYO-FM PPM encoding. Additionally, SBS representatives have clarified prior statements regarding their contention that tampering of WPYO-FM following the transition of ownership of the station to SBS occurred. This alleged tampering may include PPM encoding changes but has not been verified.
SANFORD, FLA. — Stroll down East 1st Street on a busy Saturday, and chances are you’ll hear the Caribbean-tinged Spanish spoken in Puerto Rico or the Dominican Republic from passersby. The same can be said of Waterford Lakes Town Center, on the eastern edge of the City of Orlando, and traditional Hispanic communities in the Kissimmee area, on the southern edge of this ever-expanding Central Florida metropolitan area.
This growth in Spanish speakers is one reason why Spanish Broadcasting System was so eager to add WPYO-FM 95.3 in Maitland to its stable of stations, and on May 9 officially transitioned the station to “El Zol,” with a Spanish Contemporary format full of reggaetón and Latin pop. Listeners across the Orlando area are likely tuning in.
How many have flocked to “El Zol 95”? That’s up for debate, and SBS is angry. They’ve collected what they call evidence of tampering at the transmitter for WPYO. While that’s still under investigation, one thing is certain — up until two hours after SBS closed on the WPYO purchase, the station’s encoder was improperly linked to a Cox Media Group AM in the market.
Nielsen Audio is penalizing CMG for that action, while SBS lobs a bevy of accusations against the company’s Orlando operations.
