Cumulus and Townsquare Media have agreed to a swap involving 65 stations in 13 markets.
Cumulus will acquire Townsquare Media’s 10 stations in Bloomington and Peoria IL and $116 Million in cash.
Townsquare will add 55 stations from Cumulus in eleven markets: Augusta, Bangor, and Presque Isle ME, Binghamton NY, Bismarck ND, Grand Junction CO, Killeen-Temple and Odessa-Midland TX, New Bedford MA, Sioux Falls SD, and Tuscaloosa AL.
Cumulus CEO Lew Dickey claims the move allows the company to “Focus on accretive large market consolidation as well as further de-leveraging of our balance sheet.”
“This transaction represents a continued investment in the local media business in small and mid-sized markets,” commented Townsquare Media Chairman and CEO Steven Price. “We are excited to continue to add premier assets to our portfolio. The strength and depth of the acquired assets represent an excellent addition to Townsquare Media and we are excited to add new advertising partners and to broaden our audience reach.”
Stations being acquired by Cumulus Media:
Bloomington – News/Talk 1230 WJBC & 93.7 WJBC-FM, AC “Lite Rock 98.9” WJEZ, CHR 101.5 WBNQ, and Country “B104” WBWN
Peoria – Christian 1140 WVEL, Rhythmic CHR “Power 92.3” WZPW, Classic Rock 95.5 WGLO, “River Country 97.3” WFYR, and Active Rock “105.7 The X” WIXO.
Stations being acquired by Townsquare Media:
Augusta – Oldies “Kool” 1400 WJZN and 1490 WTVL, CHR “92 Moose” WMME, Country “B98.5” WEBB
Bangor – Standards 1370 WDEA, AC 92.9 WEZQ, Classic Hits “I95” 95.7 WWMJ, Country “Q106.5” WQCB, and CHR “Z107.3” WBZN
Binghamton – News/Talk 1290 WNBF, Sports “ESPN Radio 1360” WYOS, Country “98.1 The Hawk” WHWK, Classic Rock “99.1 The Whale” WAAL, and CHR “Wild 104.1” WWYL
Bismarck – “SuperTalk 1270” KLXX, Classic Rock “96.5 The Fox” KBYZ, CHR “Hot 97.5” KKCT, Classic Hits “Cool 98.7” KACL, and Country “US 103.3” KUSB
Grand Junction – Talk 1230 KEXO, Classic Rock “95 Rock” KKNN, Country 99.9 KEKB, Rock “Energy 101.1” KDBN, Hot AC “Mix 104.3” KMXY, and Classic Hits “Kool 107.9” KBKL
Killeen/Temple – News/Talk 1400 KTEM, Sports “101.7 The Ticket” KLTD, Urban AC “Kiss 103.1” KSSM, Country “US 105.5” KUSJ, and Urban “B106” KOOC
New Bedford – News/Talk 1420 WBSM and CHR “Fun 107” WFHN
Odessa/Midland – Classic Country 1410 KRIL, Sports “ESPN 1510” KMND, Country “Lonestar 92” KNFM, Rhythmic CHR “B93” KZBT, AC “Lite Rock 98” KODM, and Rock 99.9 KBAT/97.3 KGEE
Presque Isle – Hot AC “Q96.1” WQHR, Country “Big 97” WBPW, and Rock “The Rock 102” WOZI
Sioux Falls – Classic Country 1000 KXRB, News/Talk 1140 KSOO, AC “Mix 97.3” KMXC, Sports “ESPN 99.1” KSOO-FM, Soft AC “Easy & Fun 100.1” KDEZ, “Kickin Country 100.5” KIKN, Classic Rock “B102.7” KYBB, and CHR “Hot 104.7” KKLS
Tuscaloosa – Christian “790 The Truth” WTSK, Urban AC 92.9 WTUG, Country “95.3 The Bear” WFFN, Sports “99.1 The Deuce” WDGM, and Hot AC “B101.7” WBEI
Well we can say bye bye to WJEZ’s quality programming. For a station in the middle of nowhere, it was programmed really well by both Regent and Townsquare Media.
All I can say is goodbye to live and local. Hello to cookie-cutter playlists, lots of syndicated programming, and the unemployment line! At least with Townsquare, they are local, and they have a presence on the streets.
Hi Lance,
I saw that Townsquare acquired 55 stations but I am only counting 53. What are the other 2 stations?
Thanks,
The list was missing 1360 WYOS Binghamton and 97.3 KGEE Odessa/Midland which have both been added.