Updated at 4:37pm Central
For years, Cox Media Group has enjoyed a formidable presence in the nation’s sixth-largest radio market, as ranked by Nielsen Audio. In March 2023, it was flying high in the ratings, with “The Eagle 106.9 & 107.5” ranked No. 2 among total listeners.
Pending FCC approval, the three brands that CMG owns in Houston will be used to form a five-station cluster under the ownership of the company led by Alfred Liggins III — a company that will divest at least one property in this Lone Star State metropolis to get this deal done.
For an undisclosed price, Urban One is agreeing to acquire Country KKBQ “93Q,” Classic Rock simulcast KHPT-FM & KGLK-FM “The Eagle” and Classic Country KTHT-FM 97.1 from Cox Media Group.
Paperwork had not yet been posted to the FCC’s LMS as RBR+TVBR reached its Tuesday news deadline of 4:30pm Eastern.
Commenting on the purchase, Liggins, who serves as Urban One’s President/CEO, said, “This acquisition is accretive and aligns with our long-term strategic goals by building our broadcast reach in Houston.”
The three CMG stations will be paired with KBXX-FM “97.9 The Box” and KMJQ-FM Majic 102.1.” Each of these stations superserve the African American community, with The Box focused on hip-hop and Majic airing an Adult R&B presentation.
“‘The Box’ and Majic 102.1 are market leaders, and combined with our new stations, allow us to strengthen our business footprint while offering the Houston community more diversified music and special event programming,” Liggins added, suggesting that no format changes are on the way for the Country siblings or the Classic Rocker.
But, to meet local ownership caps, Urban One has confirmed that it will sell undisclosed stations in Houston to comply with FCC ownership regulations.
Could that be “Praise 92.1,” KROI-FM? That’s possible, although a second spin of a CMG property could be in the works, too. As it stands today, Urban One already has three FMs. Without any sales, the CMG stations would put the total at 7 FMs.
CMG and Urban One will continue to operate their respective stations until the transactions close.
Speaking for Cox Media Group, President/CEO Dan York said, “The CMG Houston radio team includes incredible people committed to informing, entertaining and elevating the Houston community. CMG has invested in and grown the value of CMG’s Houston radio brands and, while it’s difficult to part ways with the valued team members in Houston, we know they will continue their success as part of Urban One. I want to sincerely thank each of them for their positive impact on their audiences, communities, clients and CMG.”
KKBQ was acquired in 2000 by Cox Radio in a transaction with Clear Channel Communications, while KHPT was acquired by CMG that same year in a deal with Salem Media Group. KHPT simulcast partner KGLK and KTHT also came to CMG in 2000, as required Clear Channel spins tied to its merger with AMFM Inc.
The sale of the Houston station comes after the November 2022 naming of Stephanie Callihan as VP/Market Manager, shifting from Director of Sales in Orlando.
Meanwhile, the Urban One trio of stations date back nearly 20 years. In September 2004, the company then-known as Radio One acquired KROI-FM for $72.5 million; it had been Classical KRTS. KMJQ and KBXX were acquired in 2000 — as spin-off stations from Clear Channel.
