KAHULUI, MAUI, HAWAII — Over the past 6 1/2 years, Pacific Media Group has established itself as one of the few multimedia companies with a statewide presence. This includes radio stations in Hawai’i (the Big Island), Maui, O’ahu, and Kaua’i.
Expansion to Kaua’i, “the Garden Isle,” came in October 2018 with the acquisition of the KONG Radio Group, giving it KQNG-FM 93.5; “Shaka Rocks” KSHK-FM 103.1; Hawaiian Reggae KSRF-FM “HI95;” and Country Class B KUAI-AM 570 and FM translator K283CQ at 104.5 MHz in Lihue, a main population center on the island.
Now, the company led by President/CEO Chuck Bergson is adding a fourth FM to its Kaua’i operations.
Paperwork is being filed with the FCC that seeks regulatory approval of an agreement to purchase KFMN “FM 97” — at 96.9 MHz in Lihue.
An asset purchase agreement containing the purchase price and details had not yet been posted on the FCC’s LMS as of 9:45am HST on Wednesday (12/14).
KFMN is, like many of Kaua’i’s heritage stations, uniquely programmed, and perhaps odd to mainlanders’ ears. FM 97 is officially an Adult Contemporary station; at 9:32am HST it was playing Andy Grammer & R3HAB’s “Saved My Life” before segueing to “You Were There” by traditional Hawaiian recording artist Keali’i Reichel.
Already in PMG’s hands thanks to a Time Brokerage Agreement that began December 1, KFMN is primed to formally join KQNG, best-described as an eclectic contemporary station with a music mix that includes Hawaiian Reggae; KSHK “Shaka Rocks,” a wide rock ‘n’ roll station playing “I Don’t Care Anymore” by Phil Collins at 9:41am ahead of “It’s a-Coming” by Natalie Merchant; and KSRF “HI95,” which shares programming and branding with sibling Hawaiian Pop “HI93” in Honolulu and “HI92” on Maui.
The TBA allows PMG to handle programming and sales, instantly adding KFMN to its Kaua’i cluster and its Kaua’i Now online news portal.
Bergson said, “PMG has a long and strong commitment to Hawaii and the local communities we serve. The addition of KFMN further emphasizes that commitment to the great people that have made this heritage radio station an integral part of the Kaua’i community.”
PMG RVP and Chief Revenue Officer Josh Mednick commented, “Adding KMFN to our legendary line up of Kaua’i stations provides advertisers unequaled reach to the island’s population and significantly enhances our portfolio of statewide offerings. We are thrilled to be able to take the relationships we’ve developed and nurtured across our existing stations and offer those even greater access to consumers across the island.”
PMG competes on Kaua’i for radio listeners against George Hochman’s H. Hawaii Media and KHKU-FM “Star 94.3,” a station purchased by Larry Fuss with investment from a host of radio industry professionals including Fletcher Ford of Virden Broadcasting/Regional Media in Davenport, Iowa; Ken Kuenzie and Dennis Klautzer of Viper Communications in Osage Beach, Mo.; former longtime Miami programmer Rob Sidney; and communications attorney Barry Wood.
