STATION SALES

Dallas – Urban One has file a $22 million deal to buy urban “K-104” KKDA and “Smooth R&B 105.7” KRNB from Service Broadcasting. As part of the deal, longtime Service owner Hymen Childs will sign a noncompete agreement. Urban One already owns rhythmic CHR “97.9 The Beat” KBFB and adult R&B “Majic 94.5” KZMJ in the Dallas market. But the company will spin off KZMJ to the newly-formed Fuzion Dallas in a $6 million deal. Fuzion Dallas is a partnership among several North Texas businesspeople, including Jetre Schuler (45%), Ken Lackner (13%), William Rockford Gill (10%), Kenneth Waits (8%), Joshua Ungerecht (8%), Mark Robbins (8%), and Jeffrey Carr (7%). It will flip KZMJ to Encouragement Media Group’s Spanish contemporary Christian “Fuzión” format. With the addition of KZMJ to the network, “Fuzión” will broadcast on 18 radio signals across the Southwest, with Dallas become its new flagship station. Brokers: Elliot Evers (for Service), Greg Guy/Tideline Partners (for Fuzion Dallas)

New London, CT – K-Love has filed a $481,000 deal to buy classic hits “Big 100.9” WKNL from Hall Communications. K-Love doesn’t own any stations in the New London market, but contemporary Christian “K-Love” affiliate WKIV, Westerly, RI (88.1) covers some of the area. Once the sale closes, Hall Communications will still own country WCTY (97.7), classic rock “Rock 98.7” WNLC, and adult standards WICH (1310) in the New London market. Brokers: Jon Yinger (for buyer) and Todd Fowler (for seller)

Fort Walton Beach, FL – John Caracciolo’s JVC Media has filed a $202,607 deal to buy regional Mexican “La Fiesta 106.9” WFWO from Eugene Cella’s Fort Walton Beach Radio. JVC currently owns four FM stations in the Fort Walton Beach area, including rock “92.1 The Bone” WBON, “Highway 98.1 Country” WHWY, adult hits “The Wave 102.1” WWAV, and talk “Florida Man Radio 103.1” WZLB. The addition of WFWO would give JVC a fifth FM station in the market, exceeding the same-service sub-cap by one station. The company has requested a waiver to the rule saying the proposed transaction will not harm competition in market No. 163 and “robust competition will remain” since it is unconsolidated with 11 owners operating 19 different stations.

Colorado – San Miguel Educational Fund has filed a $10 deal to buy variety KICO, Rico, CO (89.5) from Community Radio Project. San Miguel Educational Fund already owns KOTO, Telluride, CO (91.7) and KOOK, Ridgway, CO (90.3) Once the sale closes, Community Radio Project will still own KSJD, Cortez, CO (91.5) and KZET, Towaoc, CO (90.5).

Evansville, IN – Gayle Russ’ Faith Broadcasting Company has filed to donate its majority 59% interest in gospel WGAB (1180) to Boeke Road Baptist Church. The Church already held the other 41% interest. The deal also includes the Newburgh, IN-licensed translator W226CB at 93.1 FM.

CLOSINGS

Providence-Warwick-Pawtucket, RI – Ocean State Media has closed a $4.9 million deal to buy WVEI (103.7) from Audacy. The station currently airs Audacy’s Boston sports station WEEI-FM (93.7) and as part of the agreement Ocean State Media has converted the station to noncommercial and it will file for new call letters. Under the new ownership of WVEI, Ocean State Media says it will be able to cover nearly all of Rhode Island with a single FM signal. Over the coming weeks, Ocean State Media plans to sunset its existing frequencies, including WPVD (1290 and FM translator W275DA 102.9) Providence, WNPN (89.3) Newport, WNPW (89.5) Westerly, WNPH (90.7) Portsmouth and WNPE (102.7) Narragansett Pier. With the closing, Audacy exits the Providence market.

Texas – Ryan Media has closed a $900,000 deal to buy “K-Best Country 95.7” KBST-FM, hot AC “94.3 The Fuse” KBTS, and talk “The Might 1490” KBST in Big Spring, TX from KBest Media. The deal also includes the Big Spring, TX-licensed translator K280GW at 103.9 FM, which simulcasts KBST-AM. Ryan Media is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dallas-based OneRyan Global LLC, the family office of businessman and philanthropist G. Brint Ryan and Amanda Ryan. It doesn’t own any other radio stations, but its investment portfolio in Big Spring includes the historic Hotel Settles and a Mr. Gatti’s Pizza location. The transaction follows years of discussion and planning, according to KBest Media executives. The sale follows the death of KBest President Mike Abusaab in 2021.

Jacksonville, FL – Charlene Cook and James Vereault’s Cook Broadcasting has closed a $170,000 deal to buy talk WFOY (1240) from Matthew Kraycinovich’s Local Matters Broadcasting. The deal also includes the St. Augustine, FL-licensed translator W271CJ at 102.1 FM. The agreement includes $100,000 in seller financing. Cook Broadcasting doesn’t own any other stations. Kraycinovich exits radio ownership. Broker: Jorgeson Broadcast Brokerage

Chicago – Scott Davidson’s Rebel Chicago Media has closed a $30,000 deal to buy WRDZ (1300) from Walter Kotaba’s Polnet Communications. The station is currently off the air. Polnet still owns four stations in the market including ethnic Polish outlets WEEF (1430), WKTA (1333), and WNVR (1030), as well as rock “Rebel Radio” WPJX (1500) — which is operated by Davidson — and several FM translators.