Forever Media will pay $18.5 million for Delmarva Broadcasting’s ten stations and one translator.
Original Report 2/5: Kerby Confer and Donald Alt’s Forever Media has announced the acquisition of Steinman Communications’ Delmarva Broadcasting or an undisclosed amount.
As part of the deal Forever will acquire Top 40 93.7 WSTW Wilmington DE, News/Talk 1150 WDEL Wilmington/101.7 WDEL-FM Canton NJ, Country 103.7 WXCY Havre de Grace MD, Classic Hits “97.1 The Wave” WAVD Ocean Pines/Salisbury MD, News/Talk “Delaware 105.9” WXDE Lewes DE, Classic Hits “Cool 101.3” WNCL Milford DE, Hot AC “Eagle 97.7” WAFL Milford, “ESPN Delaware” 930 WYUS/102.1 W271CX Milford, and Christian “Faith 1510” WFAI Salem NJ.
Forever currently owns stations throughout Central and Western Pennsylvania, Wheeling WV, and Cumberland and Easton MD.
Michael Bergner of Bergner & Co. served as broker of the transaction.
silkie 
Aaron 
cartwright 
It would seem that the Steinman family wanted to divest a bit, with holdings in line with Forever Media holdings and a good opportunity to expand and move east a bit.
Would expect nothing more than minor changes at WSTW, which is clearly the cash cow of the group.
Predictions for the other stations:
WXCY becomes another Froggy clone. WAVD’s unique “beach radio” format (i.e. 80’s-90’s pop plus Kenny Chesney-type country songs) is toast, replaced with Westwood One’s Classic Hits format. WNCL goes to a Rocky clone. WAFL stays Eagle 97.7 but adds more Westwood One Hot AC content.
More syndicated programming for WDEL and maybe a brand new format for WXDE. Forever doesn’t really do local talk.
Jocks, dust off your resumes.. unless you work Country you’ll be replaced with Westwood One satellite formats faster than you can imagine. And if you work Country, be prepared to learn new words like “Infrogmation” and give the hourly Frogcast.
One thing about Forever, they just don’t understand good radio. The Froggy schtick sounded tired and outdated 15 years ago. The branding itself works, but they just take it to a whole new level and it gets tiring.
They’ll be quick to get rid of anything that makes those stations unique. If I ever worked for a station that was bought out by Forever, I’d bail. They truly just don’t get it and it shows.