KSMQ Tower Dispute Settled

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On September 5, 2012 KSMQ’s broadcast tower in Austin, Minnesota, collapsed during a storm. Ever since, KSMQ Public Television and Hanover Insurance Group have been debating how to settle the issue after Hanover initially refused to pay for the tower collapse claiming it was caused by underground corrosion and not the storm. However, last week the two came to an agreement. The Austin Daily Herald reported, “The settlement helps provide stability for the station, which could rebuild its main tower. KSMQ President and CEO Eric Olson said KSMQ and its board of directors will spend about six to eight months discussing options for the station and its viewership area, which includes Austin, Rochester, Owatonna, Mason City and Mankato.” Even though Hanover originally refused the claim, KSMQ shared weather and engineering research findings with the companies that showed the high winds from the storm resulted in the collapse. The initial claim filed was for $620,000. KSMQ has been able to broadcast after modifying its other tower, and KSMQ has an agreement through 2017 to broadcast through towers owned by television station KTTC.

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