It’s a Class C1 FM known for playing “the most music” in Northwest Arkansas, from a transmitter located between Fort Smith and Fayetteville. Soon, it will be in the hands of a new owner.
KISR-FM 93.7 in Fort Smith, Ark., is being sold by Stereo 93 Inc. — helmed by Fred Baker Jr. — to Pearson Broadcasting of Northwest Arkansas Inc.
That’s an entity based in a suburb of Richmond, Va., that sees company VP Bruce Hale sign off on the acquisition agreement.
With Kathleen Victory of Fletcher, Heald & Hildreth serving as the seller’s legal counsel and John C. Trent of Putbrese, Hunsacker & Trent acting as the buyer’s legal representative, paperwork filed with the FCC for its regulatory approval indicates that Stereo 93 will earn $1.235 million from the FM’s sale.
A $65,000 deposit has been made and is being held by broker Mark Jorgenson of Jorgenson Broadcast Brokerage as Escrow Agent. The remaining $1.17 million will be paid in cash at closing.
Will KISR shift from “the most music” to sports talk? That’s what some may be wondering, as Pearson Broadcasting’s assets are comprised of stations that combine to serve Northwest Arkansas as “ESPN Arkansas.”
Indeed, this appears to be the case, as terms call for Baker to enter into HD subchannel leases on KISR-FM — so long as a Sports Talk format is not used. Furthermore, the KISR call letters and intellectual property of the Top 40 brand are not included in the transaction and will remain held by Baker.
This suggests KISR will relocate to Class A KREU-FM 92.3 in Roland, Okla., which presently serves Fort Smith and adjacent Oklahoma communities with a regional Mexican format; or one of four FM translators in Fort Smith Baker presently operates.
Whatever does happen to KISR means that it will no longer reach Fayetteville, Rogers and Bentonville, to the north.
