Radio and Television Transactions

A digital low-powered television station licensed to Columbus, Ga., is changing hands.  And, it is indeed a deal soundly approved by the "Word of God."

It's a 1,000-watt AM at 1490 kHz with 1 tower covering the city of Jasper, Ga., to the far north of metropolitan Atlanta. And, it is being acquired by a Gorilla. Sort of.

For the last decade, Bill Christian has been a key figure in the build-out, and profit-generating sale, of low-power television stations in such markets as Lafayette, Ind. Now, through his "Milachi Media," Christian is signing off on the sale of a LPTV property licensed to Westmoreland, N.H. The buyer is the licensee funded by the creator of the 5-Hour Energy beverage.

The MMTC Broadcasting LLC arm of the Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council has closed on its sale of an FM radio station that it received via a donation from the owner of Deportes y Música Comunicaciones — one of the first licensees to petition the FCC for 100% foreign ownership.

A proposed transaction that saw the arrival of a new licensee for a low-power television station in the Lone Star State was cancelled by the FCC. On Wednesday, new information was brought to RBR+TVBR's attention as to the circumstances leading to the Commission's decision.

American Christian Television Services in mid-July reached an agreement to sell its low-power digital TV station licensed to the city of Defiance, Ohio. Now, closing is imminent, as the FCC has given its blessing to the transaction.

A ministry that exists "to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ" has decided to part ways with a Class A FM radio station on the noncommercial band serving small towns due south of Columbus, Georgia; and four FM translators in other parts of the U.S. Only, Radio By Grace is not selling them and is instead donating them to another religious broadcast entity.

In August 2022, BAAZ Broadcasting Corp. emerged as the buyer for expanded band Class B KNTS-AM in Seattle. The transaction closed one month ago. Now, a Petition for Declaratory Ruling has been submitted to the FCC seeking approval of a stock sale that would give 100% ownership of BAAZ to Sukhdev Dhillon — a Canadian citizen.

As of today, a 100kw Class C1 FM in rural Minnesota, a 1kw Class C AM sibling, and an FM translator simulcasting the AM station, are wholly owned by Border Broadcasting LP and serve towns some two hours from Winnipeg and more than 5 1/2 hours from the Twin Cities. Pending FCC approval, a change in the ownership structure will be had.

Thanks to a recent $1.2 million transaction, WJZR-FM in Rochester, N.Y., became WXXI-FM 105.9. That switch rendered the FM translator for simulcast partner WXXI-AM obsolete. As such, WXXI Public Media has found a buyer for the 250-watt facility serving Irondequoit and northeastern parts of the Western New York market.

In mid-June, RBR+TVBR first shared the news that WMKX-FM in Brookville, Pa., and WJNG-FM in Johnsonburg, Pa., was being purchased by 7 Mountains Media through its Southern Belle licensee. Closing is now imminent.

The non-secular Christian-themed radio broadcaster led by President Al Kresta — host of the Kresta in the Afternoon program — has scored a collection of five FM radio stations. It's thanks to a donation from another religious broadcaster, and involves four properties in Ohio and one in Michigan.

A 1kw daytime-only AM that must power down at night to protect WBT in Charlotte, along with its all-important FM translator, are being sold. Who will be the proud owner of the pair of broadcast facilities serving Centreville, Ala.?

A 50/50 partnership of a 50kw Class B FM serving Ellsworth, Me., is changing. What does this mean behind the scenes at the home of "Smooth Rock 'n' Roll"? The personal representative for the woman who held the shares will be gaining them, pending FCC approval, as she is now deceased.

Matthew Wesolowski in late 2020 made headlines for successfully selling the Class B AM and its associated FM translator bringing BIN: Black Information Network to Jackson, Miss. Now, he's decided to spin a construction permit for an FM radio station licensed to operate in a tiny Utah community just outside of the city of St. George.