Update 3/12: Connoisseur is paying $7,922,035 for the five stations included in the deal.
Original Report 3/5: Connoisseur Media continues its growth in the Northeast with the purchase of 4 Connecticut AM’s and 1 FM from Buckley Broadcasting.
Classic Hits 102.9 WDRC-FM Hartford and the four station “Talk Of Connecticut” network of 1360 WDRC Hartford, 610 WSNG Torrington, 1240 WWCO Waterbury, and 1470 WMMW Meridan will join the Fairfield County and New Haven stations that Connoisseur acquired from Cox in 2013.
In a letter to employees, Buckley President/CEO Joe Bilotta wrote,
For over a half of a century Buckley Broadcasting has been the steward of one of the most recognized and respected call letters in broadcasting. After much reflection and discussion, the Board of Trustees has decided that the reality of the evolving competitive landscape, and our sincere desire to see this historic brand continue, are cause for a change in the ownership of our Connecticut properties. With this acquisition, Connoisseur will be the leading radio broadcaster in the State of Connecticut and they are very excited to have the Buckley stations as part of their growing company.
Buckley has been selling off their stations in recent years, most notably WOR New York to Clear Channel in 2011. Following the Connecticut sale the company will still own nine stations in three California markets.
Connoisseur has been focusing its growth on the Northeast in recent years with the purchases of stations in Connecticut, Long Island, New Jersey, and eastern Pennsylvania.
At least Clear Channel didn’t buy the Buckley Hartford stations!
I don’t think they could. They already own the following in CT:
92.5 WWYZ – Country
95.7 WKSS – CHR
97.9 WUCS – Sports
101.3 WKCI-FM – CHR
105.9 WHCN – Variety Hits
960 AM WELI – News.Talk
1300 AM WAVZ – Sports
1410 AM WPOP – Sports