In late November, Ted Morgan‘s Saranac Lake Radio reached the final chapter in its life as an owner of AM and FM radio facilities. As reported by RBR+TVBR, the company founded in 1927 marked its 90th anniversary in near silence, with WNBZ-FM 106.3 in Saranac, N.Y., the only station licensed to the company actually on the air, via automation.
As Morgan started to sell his stations, it became known that another Upstate New York broadcasting company had gained the right of first refusal to acquire one of Saranac Lake’s stations. That company has now moved forward with its decision to purchase the dark FM.
In an asset purchase agreement filed with the Commission on Tuesday (1/9), North Country Radio has agreed to acquire WLPW-FM 105.5, licensed to Lake Placid, N.Y.
The purchase price is $32,500 — slightly more than the $25,000 originally believed to be NCR’s agreed-upon payment for WLPW.
WLPW is authorized for 3kw at 2,067 feet above sea level, and has been silent under STA, as Morgan cited financial difficulties in keeping the station on-air.
North Country Radio is a Lake Placid-based entity co-owned by Jonathan Becker and Gregory Gallacher, and WLPW joins former Morgan-owned WNBZ-AM 1240 and NCR’s Class C3 WSLP-FM 93.3 in Saranac Lake, N.Y.
WLPW has been dark since June 16, 2017, “pending the proposed modification of its facilities.” WLPW must resume broadcasts by 12:01am on June 17, 2018.
Serving as the exclusive broker in this transaction, representing Saranac Lake Radio, is Jason James of Patrick Communications.
