Red Apple Media has announced it has closed on its $12.5 million purchase of Conservative Talk 770 WABC New York from Cumulus Media.
In an on-air interview with midday hosts Curtis Sliwa and Juliet Huddy, Catsimatidis stated that there would be no imminent programming changes. Chad Lopez, who had served as Market Manager for Cumulus New York and WABC Program Director David Labrozzi will also join Red Apple Media in their existing roles.
John Catsimatidis’s Red Apple Media Inc., a subsidiary of Red Apple Group, Inc. has completed the acquisition of TALKRADIO 77 WABC, Mr. Catsimatidis announced today during an interview on the pioneering talk radio station.
“We look forward to working with this legendary New York staple radio station with all of its employees and talent,” said Catsimatidis. “It is exciting for our company to be stepping into the broadcasting industry with WABC as the anchor for our growing media assets as we expand into the future.”
“We’re thrilled that John Catsimatidis, a true New Yorker has acquired, and taken control of, WABC,” said Chad Lopez, Vice President/Market Manager. “John’s passion for radio, along with his appreciation of the rich history of the station, makes this partnership ideal as we work together to give New York City what it deserves; the best News-Talk station in the city.” Red Apple Group is a diverse company that includes holdings in the energy, real estate, finance, insurance, and supermarket industries. With this new acquisition of 77 WABC, Red Apple hopes to expand its business to the broadcasting/media industry as well. Catsimatidis also hosts his own weekly show for Salem Media Conservative Talk “970 The Answer” on WNYM in Hackensack, NJ.
“John Catsimatidis shares the same vision and passion for rebuilding WABC, and having him join us is going to be such a great asset to this station,” said Dave LaBrozzi, Program Director. “We know that this new step for WABC will help the station to achieve its highest potential.” 77 WABC is ready to be a part of this group officially and is eager to see what is to come for the station. For more information, please visit http://www.wabcradio.com.
TALKRADIO 77 WABC is a commercial talk radio station licensed to New York City, New York, serving the greater metropolitan area. The station currently serves as a flagship station for syndicated hosts Mark Levin and John Batchelor; is the radio home for Bernard McGuirk, Sid Rosenberg, Curtis Sliwa and Juliet Huddy, Brian Kilmeade, The Ben Shapiro Show, and Red Eye Radio. One of the country’s oldest radio stations, WABC began broadcasting in 1921, originally as WJZ in Newark, New Jersey.
