Beasley Media has announced that it will acquire Urban AC “105.9 Kiss-FM” WDMK Detroit and three translators from Urban One for $13.5 million.
The three translators operate as Gospel “The Detroit Praise Network” 93.5 W228CJ Detroit, 98.3 W252BX Detroit and 99.9 W260CB Detroit via WDMK-HD2. Beasley has signed an agreement with Urban One to continue airing their syndicated programming including The Tom Joyner Morning Show, D.L. Hugley Afternoon Show, Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell and The Willie Moore, Jr. Afternoon Show on the two stations.
WDMK joins a Beasley Detroit cluster that includes Classic Rock 94.7 WCSX, Rock 101.1 WRIF, and Classic Hip-Hop “105.1 The Bounce” WMGC.
Urban One will continue to operate Urban “Hot 107.5” WGPR via LMA from International Free and Accepted Modern Masons’ WGPR Inc. until the end of 2019. That arrangement began in October 2011.
Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: BBGI) (“Beasley” or “the Company”), a large- and mid-size market radio broadcaster, announced today that it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire WDMK-FM and three translators in Detroit, Michigan from Urban One (NASDAQ: UONEK) (“Urban One”) for $13.5 million in cash. Excluding one-time transaction costs, the acquisition of WDMK-FM is expected to be immediately accretive to Beasley’s free cash flow without materially altering the Company’s leverage. Beasley intends to fund the acquisition through borrowings under its credit facility and cash generated from operations.
Beasley’s acquisition of WDMK-FM is complementary to the Company’s three existing radio stations and digital operations in the Detroit market, the thirteenth largest designated marketing area in the country, and reflects the Company’s long-term focus on premium local programming and content.
Commenting on the proposed transaction, Caroline Beasley, Chief Executive Officer, said, “The accretive acquisition of WDMK-FM significantly enhances our revenue and competitive position in Detroit. Detroit is undergoing an exciting renaissance as a result of billions of dollars of new investments in the city’s residential, commercial, entertainment and cultural centers, all of which are driving new residents, businesses, tourists, employment and economic activity.”
“We entered the Detroit market in late 2016 and have consistently improved the operating results of the three stations we acquired, and we believe the proposed transaction is a strategically and financially compelling growth opportunity for our shareholders. The addition of WDMK-FM will mark further progress toward our goal of capturing 30 percent revenue share in each of our markets while delivering valuable synergies and the potential for SOI margin improvement.”
“Consistent with Beasley’s disciplined approach to growing our platform, the acquisition of WDMK-FM is expected to be immediately accretive to free cash flow, excluding one-time transaction costs, and with our strong balance sheet, we will continue to have the financial flexibility to make additional return-focused growth investments, while further reducing leverage and returning capital to shareholders.”
“We look forward to realizing the strategic benefits of the WDMK-FM transaction in 2020 as we continue to advance our initiatives focused on leveraging our premium local programming and brands, while aggressively rolling out our digital offerings and distribution capabilities to reinforce and grow Beasley’s leadership position across all audio platforms in our markets. This approach will enable us to deliver great local content to listeners while creating an even stronger marketing platform for local businesses.”
The transaction, expected to close during fourth quarter of 2019, is subject to Federal Communications Commission approval and other customary closing conditions. The proposed transaction was brokered by Michael Bergner.
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Urban One, Inc. (Nasdaq: UONEK; UONE) today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its Detroit, Michigan radio station, WDMK-FM and three translators W228CJ, W252BX, and W260CB for $13.5 million to Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc.
Urban One has had a presence in the Detroit market since 1998. Urban One CEO Alfred Liggins stated, “We want to thank the incredibly talented and dedicated staff for their contribution to a remarkable era in Detroit for Urban One. We are thrilled that Beasley has agreed to continue airing our syndicated programming, including The Tom Joyner Morning Show, D.L. Hugley Afternoon Show, Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell and The Willie Moore, Jr. Afternoon Show, allowing Urban One to continue serving the Detroit community of listeners.”
Urban One will continue to operate WGPR-FM under its current Local Marketing Agreement until the end of the year.
