Radio-One, via a wholly owned subsidiary entitled Charlotte Broadcasting has acquired 1500 WZZQ, 104.3 W282AX, and 105.3 WNOW-FM Gaffney SC/Charlotte from Gaffney Broadcasting. As part of the sale, Radio-One will begin programming the stations via LMA on Tuesday, September 4 following the termination of the existing Time Brokerage Agreement with Davidson Media.
As part of the $7.75 Million purchase, Radio-One will attempt to spinoff 1500 WZZQ and its 104.3 translator in Gaffney to a third party. If successful prior to closing of the sale, $250,000 will be reduced from the purchase price. Radio-One will also pay $50,000 a month in LMA fees.
The prize for Radio-One is the 105.3 signal, which was upgraded a couple of years ago to put a city grade signal over most of the Charlotte market. Davidson Media has been programming the station as Regional Mexican “Poder 105.3“. It will now join a Radio-One cluster that includes Urban AC “My 92.7” WQNC and Gospel “Praise 100.9” WPZS. No indications of a new format for the station yet, although based on Radio-One’s normal clustering goals of having an Urban AC, Gospel, and Mainstream Urban in each market we wouldn’t be shocked to see a Hip-Hop based format.