Greg Horne’s Arkansas River Valley Radio is purchasing thirteen stations and five translators from Bobby Caldwell’s EAB Media for $3.75 million.
Horne, which began operating the stations included in the deal via LMA on January 1, is a third generation owner and former University of Arkansas and NFL player. He most recently served as General Manager of Deltaplex Radio’s four stations in Pine Bluff AR and is the former President of the Arkansas Broadcaster Association.
Included in the deal are Variety Hits “92.7 Jack-FM” KCON Vilonia, Classic Rock “99.3 The Eagle” KASR Atkins/105.5 KYEL Danville, AC 100.9 KWKK Russelville, Country 101.5 KARV-FM Ola, Country 101.7 KVOM-FM Morrilton, Country 102.3 KCJC Dardanelle, Classic Country “106.9 The Maverick” KMVM Clarksville, Country “Y107” 107.1 KCNY Greenbrier, News/Talk 610 KARV/93.1 K226CU and 98.1 K251CO Dardanelle, Oldies “Motown Radio” 800 KVOM/92.5 K223DK Morrilton and 98.9 K255DN Conway, and Variety Hits “97.1 Bob-FM” 980 KCAB/97.1 K246CT Dardanelle.
Horne said, “I am a strong believer in the people of the River Valley and Central Arkansas and the ability of local radio to serve them and strengthen our community bonds. In fact, my grandfather was one of the original owners who put KVOM-AM on the air, I think it was 1952 – Russ Horne – he owned radio stations that we acquired also in Russellville. My family owned the ones in Russellville all the way up into the ’90s, from 1947. I’m a Russellville native, River Valley guy, and got back into the radio business later in life in Pine Bluff of all places. The opportunity came available to do a deal with Bobby Caldwell and the EAB group, and if he was ever ready to do something, I’d like to try to take them over and help serve and be part of the community. I’m just really, really excited to be part of the family. I think it’s super important for radio stations to be the heartbeat. We want to continue to be an operation, a place where people can get trusted news and information locally…”
Caldwell, who will retain 25 stations in the state, commented, “This transaction places these Central Arkansas and River Valley stations with a trusted local broadcaster and allows EAB Media to further concentrate our resources on serving listeners and residents of Eastern Arkansas.”
