Red Apple Media has acquired WRCR-AM in Haverstraw, New York, in an all-cash sale, marking the latest move by owner John Catsimatidis to expand his company’s radio footprint in the New York metropolitan area. The full transaction terms were disclosed in a May 21 FCC filing.
The $600,000 deal includes the Rockland County station’s FCC license, physical assets, and real estate. A $60,000 deposit has been placed in escrow, with the remainder due upon regulatory approval. The closing is expected within ten business days of FCC consent. In the interim, WRCR has begun simulcasting programming from Red Apple’s flagship property, 77WABC, under a Local Marketing Agreement.
Red Apple was represented by Kathleen Kirby of Wiley Rein LLP. Michael A. Koplen of Koplen Law Firm acted on behalf of seller Alexander Broadcasting, which had operated WRCR as an independent, locally focused outlet for nearly 60 years. Alexander Broadcasting President Alexander Medakovich was WRCR’s most recent licensee.
WRCR’s signal substantially overlaps with that of WABC, leading to questions about whether Red Apple intends to maintain the simulcast model or pursue a different strategic use of the frequency. “It will start off as a simulcast. Stay tuned for the future vision,” a Red Apple Media spokesperson told RBR+TVBR sister publication Radio Ink.
The purchase mirrors Catsimatidis’ 2019 acquisition of WABC from Cumulus Media for $12.5 million, also an all-cash deal. The WRCR buy supports Red Apple’s broader push into syndication and network expansion under its Red Apple Audio Networks banner.
