One month after completing its acquisition of Alpha Media, the Jeff Warshaw-led Connoisseur Media is again expanding again. This time, it has its eyes set on competing directly against Audacy and iHeartMedia by significantly expanding its presence in the San Francisco Bay Area.
To make it happen, Connoisseur is moving ahead with the purchase of Bonneville International’s stations in San Francisco, in a deal brokered by Kalil & Co.
News of the purchase was first shared by Streamline Publishing’s Radio Ink on Tuesday afternoon, Pacific Time. It will see Connoisseur acquire the following properties:
- Adult R&B KBLX-FM 102.9
- Classic Rock KUFX-FM 98.5, a San Jose property
- Top 40 KMVQ-FM 99.7 “NOW”
- Adult Contemporary KOIT-FM 96.5
The stations each have rich heritage in Northern California’s largest market, and will join the former Alpha Media stations in the East Bay (KKDV-FM, KUIC-FM and KKIQ-FM) and in San Jose: KEZR-FM “Mix 106.5,” KBAY-FM 94.5 “Bay Country.”
Connoisseur Media was represented by Wilkinson Barker Knauer, while Bonneville International was represented by Strong & Hanni. No purchase price was noted in a press release distributed at 3:30pm Pacific by Connoisseur; the federal government shutdown has prevented attorneys from submitting the asset purchase agreement with deal valuation details to the FCC’s LMS.
In a statement, Bonneville International said the sale aligns with its strategy to concentrate investments across radio, television, streaming, digital, and apps.
Connoisseur Media CEO Jeff Warshaw added, “San Francisco is a world-class media market, and these iconic stations are a perfect complement to our growing portfolio. We are excited to greatly expand our service to the Bay Area. Our goal is to have a real presence with local programming, local voices, and being a significant part of the community. That’s what defines us, and that’s what listeners and advertisers deserve.”
