The purchase of KDES-FM and KPSI-FM has been filed with the FCC with a sale price of $3 million.
Alpha has begun operating the stations via LMA, which also includes 107.3 K297BO Palm Springs, which currently is Soft AC/Standards “Legend 107.3” rebroadcasting RR’s 1340 KWXY.
Original Report 8/17: Alpha Media continues its rapid growth with the acquisition of Classic Hits 98.5 KDES-FM Cathedral City and Hot AC “Mix 100.5” KPSI-FM Palm Springs from RR Broadcasting for an undisclosed amount.
The two stations will join the cluster that Alpha is currently LMA’ing and awaiting to close on the purchase of from Morris Communications. Those stations are News/Talk “K-News 94.3” 970 KNWZ Coachella/1140 KNWQ Palm Springs/1250 KNWH Yucca Valley/94.3 K232CX Desert Hot Springs/103.7 K279CO Yucca Valley, Rhythmic CHR “U92.7” KKUU Indio, Rock 93.7 KCLB Coachella, Soft AC “103.9 The Breeze” KKUU-HD2/K280CV Cathedral City, and Classic Rock “Eagle 106.9” KDGL Yucca Valley. Upon closing of both purchases Alpha will own six stations in Palm Springs market as KNWH and KDGL are considered to be part of the adjacent Victor Valley market. A seventh station, Sports “Fox Sports 1270” KFSQ Thousand Palms is in the process of being divested by Morris to Sunnylands Broadcasting but is operated by Alpha via LMA.
RR Broadcasting will retain the three AMs it owns in the Palm Springs market: News/Talk 920 KPSI Palm Springs, Soft AC “Legend 107.3” 1340 KWXY/107.3 K297BO Palm Springs, and Liberal Talk 1450 KPTR Cathedral City. Alpha will begin operating KDES and KPSI-FM via LMA immediately.
Alpha Media of Portland, Oregon announced today they have entered into a definitive agreement to purchase 2 additional California radio stations from RR Broadcasting. RR Broadcasting owns KPSI-FM in Palm Springs and KDES-FM in Cathedral City. Alpha Media will begin operating the RR Broadcasting stations under an LMA until such time as the purchase agreement has been completed.
Larry Wilson, Chairman of Alpha Media will add the stations to the two hundred fifty stations currently in the Alpha Media portfolio. When all pending deals are completed, it will bring the total number of stations owned by Alpha Media to 252. Commenting on the acquisition, Wilson said, “We’re excited to bring these stations into the Alpha family. The extraordinary community involvement of Ric and Rozene Supple has blazed the way for these market leading radio stations making them the perfect live and local addition.”
“Speaking for Ric and myself,” said Rozene Supple, “We are thrilled that MIX 100.5 FM and KDES 98.5 FM will find a new home with Alpha Media. We think this will be a great fit!”
Michael C Green, Senior Vice President of RR Broadcasting added, “The decision to sell the stations to Alpha Media was based in large part on their superior reputation in radio, and on their commitment to LIVE AND LOCAL. The Supples have always believed that radio is at its best when presented as a local medium, and one that is an integral part of the local community.”
This transaction is subject to approval by the Federal Communications Commission.
