There’s a swap that’s been consummated in Northern California. This results in the disappearance of one religious noncomm network, the emergence of a different non-secular noncomm, and the return to commercial status for an FM with a long history of format flips.
That’s the lead deal in RBR+TVBR‘s TRANSACTIONS TODAY for June 21, which also sees a silent station in Oregon trade hands and the closing of a transaction that sees the three individuals involved in Baraboo Broadcasting sell all of their ownership interest to a single woman.
In an asset exchange agreement codified on May 30 but not filed with the FCC until Wednesday (6/21), Educational Media Foundation is trading Class B1 noncommercial KARW-FM 97.9 in Salinas, Calif., to the Prunedale Educational Foundation for Central California (known as Prunedale Educational Association).
In return, the Mike Novak-led EMF is acquiring Class B noncomm KLVM-FM 89.7 in Prunedale, Calif., which covers the Monterey-Salinas market, in addition to the following translators:
- K208CW in Monterey
- K220BV in San Jose
- K290CJ in Soledad, Calif.
- K238AH in King City, Calif.
- K206CC in Lockwood, Calif.
KLVM is presently a member of EMF’s Christian AC KLOVE network. That’s set to change, as EMF indicates in its Form 314 filing with the FCC that the station will shift to its Spanish Christian “Radio Nueva Vida” noncomm network, rebroadcasting programming from KGCL-FM in Jordan Valley, Ore.
KLVM’s signal covers a large agricultural area that has long attracted first-generation Hispanic immigrants from Mexico and Central America.
Meanwhile, KARW is set to switch from EMF’s Christian Top 40 “Air1” network to an undisclosed commercial format, switching from noncomm status. This could point to a quick flip of KARW by Prunedale, led by Arlon Moon, the Rev. Betty Moon and Rosita Ramirez, to another owner. Conversely, Prunedale could opt for a commercial non-secular format.
The return to commercial status comes following EMF’s conversion of KARW to noncomm status in June 2016, following its purchase of the station from Saul Levine’s Mt. Wilson FM Broadcasters. KARW was previously Country KYZZ-FM and, before that, Classical KMZT-FM “K-Mozart.” Prior to Levine’s acquisition of the station in May 2013, the facility was home to several presentations, including ESPN Radio, Rhythmic Oldies, CHR/Rhythmic, CHR/Pop, and Latin Urban.
KLVM signed on in 1997.
There is no broker or finder associated with this transaction.
IN OTHER TRANSACTIONS TODAY:
- For an undisclosed price, Hunt Broadcasting LLC is selling silent KYSJ-FM 105.9 in Coos Bay, Ore., to Lighthouse Radio Group. The buyer is led by Harry Abel, who is based in the Oregon town. Abel’s 49% partner in the company is Mike Gaudette, also of Coos Bay. The seller is led by John Hunt, who resides in Washington, D.C. Lighthouse also owns Class C2 Christian Contemporary KYTT-FM 98.7 “K-Light” in Coos Bay, which is a small unrated market. According to the Form 314 FCC filing, Hunt is no longer able to operate KYSJ “due to failing health.”
- Jeffrey A. Smith, Gregory J. Buchwald and Anne M. Smith have sold all of their ownership interests in Baraboo Broadcasting Corp. to Kelly Martinson. The company owns and operates Class D WRPQ-AM 740 and FM translator station W259BC in Baraboo, Wisc., and holds Special Temporary Authority for low-power TV station W43BR in Baraboo. Baraboo Broadcasting is also the permittee of unconstructed LPTV stations W43DD-D, W45DR-D, and W47EA-D, each Baraboo, Wisc. The purchase price was $380,000. Bob Heymann of the Chicago office of Media Services Group represented the sellers in this transaction.
