Zoellner Media Group, led by local Tulsa optometrist Dr. Robert H. Zoellner, is acquiring Cox Media Group’s Tulsa OK cluster.
Zoellner Media Group, which is held by Dr. Zoellner and his wife Amy Wolfe Zoellner, will pay $20 million for the five stations. Both Zoellner’s will hold a 50% stake in the company.
Original Report 5/19:
Included in the sale are Country “K95.5” KWEN, Hot AC “Mix 96.5” KRAV, Classic Rock “103.3 The Eagle” KJSR, and News/Talk 740 KRMG/102.3 KRMG-FM. Veteran Tulsa programmer Steve Hunter is joining the company as President and General Manager. Hunter led the Cox cluster from 1994 to 2016 and Griffin Media’s Tulsa cluster from 2016 to 2022.
Dr. Zoellner is described as “a visionary entrepreneur and optometrist” who has built his business in Tulsa “on the power of radio advertising and has long championed the value of local broadcast radio.” He said, “We’re thrilled to welcome these incredible radio stations into the Zoellner Media Group family. Radio has played a crucial role in my business success, and I have always been passionate about its ability to connect communities and drive meaningful engagement. This acquisition allows us to build upon a legacy of excellence while fostering innovation across broadcast and digital platforms. I couldn’t be more excited to get started.”
Cox Media Group President/CEO Dan York said, ““One of the reasons Zoellner Media Group is the right transaction partner is their intent to invest in our Tulsa radio stations to build on the momentum the Tulsa team has established. We share the belief that there’s a strong future for our radio stations and our people serving the Tulsa community.”
The transaction is subject to FCC approval and is expected to close early in the second half of 2025. Mark Jorgenson of Jorgenson Broadcast Brokerage represented Zoellner Media Group.
Brandon Charles
With so much uncertainty, sometimes we need to celebrate the small victories, this is one of them. And I can honestly say as a blind person, I would trust an optometrist with a group of radio stations more than the current crop of corporate hedge fund employees. So what have we learned here? Building relationships is paramount to saving local radio.
Still the old guard, but I’ve been taking notice of a lot of the young new players in the industry and the stations they are putting on the air, or retooling. It’s hard not to be excited about radio when you hear those stations.