South Florida Public Media Group, the public media management company for Public News/Talk 91.3 WLRN-FM Miami has announced it will acquire Hip Hop “104.7 The Flame” WFLM Palm Beach Shores.
SFPMG will pay JDD Radio $6.45 million for the station with the intent to convert it to a non-commercial license. The deal will give the Palm Beach market a full-powered NPR affiliate for the first time since 90.7 WPBI was sold to Educational Media Foundation in 2015. WLRN-FM has been operating 101.9 W270AD as the local NPR affiliate since October 2015.
South Florida Public Media Group CEO John LaBonia said, “This acquisition is more than just an expansion—it’s a commitment to public trust, to community, and to closing the radio news gap that currently exists in Palm Beach and Martin Counties. We are making sure that no corner of South Florida remains a news desert.”
Chairman Richard Rampell added, “In an era where reliable local news is more essential than ever, along with emergency communications and valued NPR programming like “All Things Considered”, “Morning Edition” and “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!”, this acquisition underscores SFPMG’s unwavering commitment and dedication to being a trusted voice for the communities it serves.”
Personal injury attorney Dean Freeman’s JDD Radio acquired WFLM in 2023 for $3.75 million and completed its move from 104.5 in White City FL to the West Palm Beach market. The station relaunched in its new market in January 2024.
