In late October 2023, the Audio Division of the FCC’s Media Bureau moved ahead with a pleading cycle that solicited input on a Petition for Declaratory Ruling allowing a Canadian citizen to hold 100% attributable interest in a Seattle AM targeting the market’s South Asian community.
Al Shuldiner, the Audio Division Chief, has approved the request.
This will put the wheels in motion on handing ownership of KNTS-AM in Seattle to Sukhdev Dhillon, from BAAZ Broadcasting Corp.
No comments or oppositions were filed during the comment period.
BAAZ is today owned 80% by Mohan Cheema, a U.S. citizen, and 20% by Dhillon. The proposal sees Cheema’s shares acquired by Dhillon, and with 100% ownership result in the creation of a new organization, Amar Broadcasting Inc.
Amar would be a U.S.-based corporation, and Cheema earns $75,000 USD from the sale of his shares in BAAZ Broadcasting.
BAAZ acquired the expanded band AM at 1680 kHz from Salem Media Group-affiliated Inspiration Media Inc. for $225,000, and on July 21, 2023 closed on the acquisition of the facility.
Cheema and Dhillon are also the lead equity interest holders in KZIZ-AM & KKDZ-AM in Seattle — each of which air “Radio Punjab.”
