Dix Communications has sold their Cumberland, MD cluster to Forever Media for an undisclosed amount.

Included in the sale are Country 105.3 WFRB-FM, Classic Rock “Go 106.1” WKGO, News/Talk 560 WFRB, and AC “105.7 The River” 1450 WTBO/105.7 W289BR. Dix had announced their intentions earlier this month to sell the Maryland stations and two non-core newspapers.

Forever currently has 45 stations in Central and Western Pennsylvania and Wheeling, WV. Dix Communications also owns four stations in Gainesville/Ocala, FL and two in its home market of Wooster, OH.

Forever Media, a Holidaysburg, PA based broadcasting company, has agreed to the purchase of WKGO (FM), WFRB-FM, WTBO-AM and WFRB (AM), as well as The River a Cumberland FM translator at 105.7. The transaction is pending approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Dix Communications, an Ohio based company, has owned WTBO and WKGO since the 1977. Dix acquired WFRB AM/FM from Carl Loughry in June of 1997.

“Forever Media is extremely excited to welcome the talented broadcasters of the Dix stations in Maryland to the Forever family,” said Lynn Deppen, President of Forever Media.

Forever Media has been involved in radio ownership and management for over three decades. Forever media’s principals include, Donald Alt, Lynn Deppen, Kerby Confer and Carol Logan. The company has 45 stations in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia.

Neilsen, an independent broadcasting rating service, has ranked WFRB FM and WKGO FM (GO 106) the number one and two rated stations in Western MD and the surrounding West Virginia county markets, according to county coverage ratings.

“These are strong stations and we feel fortunate to have owners [now and future] that will allow us to continue the excellent tradition of broadcasting and service to our communities,” said Richard Cornwell general manager of the stations. ” We enjoy serving and consider it a privilege to work and live in our great communities.”
The FCC approval process usually takes approximately two months. Upon approval the ownership transfer will be complete.

“We know Forever [Media] will be good owners for the local communities, listeners, and advertisers,” said Chuck Dix, President of Dix Communications. “It has been a pleasure and honor to serve the Western Maryland market and our fellow employees (past and present) at the stations. They are well run stations, which will allow them to serve the communities well into the future.”

Larry Wood of Cincinnati-based Wood & Company, Inc. is brokering the transaction on behalf of the seller, Dix Communications.