K-U-N-T! (I promise this is newsworthy)

K-WHAT? Unbuilt Maui TV station lands questionable call letters

THE call letters KUNT have landed at a yet-unbuilt low-power digital television station in Wailuku, Maui.

Alarmingly similar to a word the dictionary says is obscene, the call letters were among a 15-page list of new call letters issued by the Federal Communications Commission and released this week.


The same station owner also received KWTF for a station in Arizona.
From Skokie, Ill., comes a sincere apology "to anyone that was offended," said Kevin Bae, vice president of KM Communications Inc., who requested and received KUNT and KWTF.



It is "extremely embarrassing for me and my company and we will file to change those call letters immediately."




He thanked your columnist for bringing the matter to his attention
and pledged to, "make sure I don't fall asleep on the job when selecting call signs again."

I can only imagine what the jingle will be like. "Wonderful K-U-N-T! Broadcasting from atop the beautiful Naniloa Resort. Aloha!"

On a funny note...Ms. Engle -- the author of the column -- mentioned that this was the most fun she's had at work in a long, long time. She also mentions the following information on another MB I frequent:

Call Sign KCID is not available.

Call Sign Service Fac ID City State Assigned To
KCID AM 68593 CALDWELL ID JOURNAL BROADCAST CORP.

Call Sign WUSS is available.

Call Sign KRAP is not available.

KRAP is assigned to the U. S. Coast Guard.

[tinydancer]

A few years back, when North Texas State University became the University of North Texas, there were lots of jokes about whether they would change the campus radio station from KNTS to KUNT. They didn't, but we sure got a laugh out of it.

[Drolefille]

I am amused that he requested both K-WTF and KUNT. And was then surprised that someone objected...

[DeltAlum]

I read about this in one of the broadcasting BB's yesterday and according to the article a station is Aspen has KCUF -- read it backwards. Somebody at FCC is asleep at the switch.

[bcdphie]

Thanks for posting this one OTW. It's such a treat to read/see a humerous news story. I had a good laugh.

[lyrica9]

Originally Posted by tinydancer

A few years back, when North Texas State University became the University of North Texas, there were lots of jokes about whether they would change the campus radio station from KNTS to KUNT. They didn't, but we sure got a laugh out of it.

i think their call is KNTU. that's what it was always called when i was there a few years ago. but yeah, my dad made that joke when i told him i was going to major in journalism.

[Tom Earp]

TO Funny!

[tinydancer]

Originally Posted by lyrica9

i think their call is KNTU. that's what it was always called when i was there a few years ago. but yeah, my dad made that joke when i told him i was going to major in journalism.

Yeah, you are right - it is KNTU. It's been too long since I was there.

[DeltAlum]

The call letters at the radio station at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC to those of us here) are close -- KUNC

[DeltAlum]

I read the other day that the call letters of both stations mentioned are being changed.

KUNT is now KHIW and KWTF is now KBFG

Here's a story:

http://starbulletin.com/2007/08/29/business/engle.html

By the way, no matter how much the guy who chose the call letters may protest, I find it hard to believe this was an accident -- in both cases.

[skylark]

okay, i am dense tonight... why are the call letters KCID (caldwell idaho radio station) funny?

[AlphaSigOU]

Originally Posted by skylark

okay, i am dense tonight... why are the call letters KCID (caldwell idaho radio station) funny?

Spell it backwards...

[Siggy_lxvi]

KRAP is assigned to the U. S. Coast Guard.

Anyone who ever went to Kings Point could have told you that.

"I'd rather have a sister in a whorehouse than a brother in the Coast Guard."