Finger Lakes Radio Group Finds A New Future

From Penn Yan and Seneca Falls to lively Canandaigua, New York’s Finger Lakes Region offers outdoors enthusiasts, wine lovers and beer and spirits connoisseurs a bevy of activities to enjoy year-round. For entrepreneur and digital media veteran Scott Swanson, attracting these business as Radio advertisers is now in the cards.

Why? He just agreed to purchase Finger Lakes Radio Group. The price was revealed on Friday (12/19) in a FCC regulatory filing.

Alan Bishop, who runs Finger Lakes Radio Group, signed off on the agreement, with George Kimble of RadioTVforSale.com acting as the broker.

Pending FCC approval, Swanson’s TOTIB Media and its FLX Local Media arm will become the owner and operator, respectively, of the following properties:

• WNYR-FM “Mix 98.5” in Waterloo, N.Y.

• WLLW-FM 101.7 “The Wall” in Geneva, N.Y.

• Classic Hits WFLK-FM 99.3 in Seneca Falls, N.Y.

• WAUB-AM & W242DC in Auburn, N.Y.

• WGVA-AM & W292FG in Geneva, N.Y.

• Country WFLR-AM & W245BL in Dundee, N.Y. (and FM translators W270BY in Watkins Glen and W241CN in Penn Yan)

• WCGR-AM & W283DF in Canandaigua, N.Y. (and FM translator W261DR in Victor)

A purchase price of $2.2 million was agreed to, with a $250,000 deposit wired to Graff Law Office PLLC as escrow agent. At closing $630,000 in cash will be paid. The remaining $1.32 million will be honored by a Promissory Note bearing 6% annual interest and a 10-year amortization period. A balloon payment in Month No. 60 is agreed to.

Additionally, for each of the first five full fiscal years following the closing date, an “Earn-Out Year,” Bishop is entitled to a payment equal to 50% of Net Operating Income in excess of $400,000 per year, capped at $75,000 per annual payment and $350,000 in the aggregate over the 60-month Earn-Out Period.

As Bishop sees it, the transaction puts the properties under the control of “a veteran digital media veteran with a passion and track record of helping small businesses succeed through media and advertising.”

Transaction details were not disclosed and are expected to appear in a Form 314 filing with the FCC early next week. Importantly, the purchase price includes valuations for both FLX Digital and FingerLakesDailyNews.com. The acquisition includes the group’s studios, offices, and broadcast facilities. The transaction is expected to close following customary regulatory approvals. Pending approval by the Federal Communications Commission, TOTIB Media will operate the stations under a time brokerage agreement beginning January 1.

Bishop says the decision to sell the media properties was guided by a desire to find the right long-term steward for the stations, their employees, and the communities they serve.

“This company has always been about local connection and local trust,” Bishop said. “Scott understands the role these stations play in people’s daily lives, and he understands what it takes to operate a strong local media business. I’m confident this is the right next chapter.”

Swanson emphasized continuity, not change, as the defining principle of the transition. “This is already a strong operation with deep roots in the community,” he said. “My job isn’t to reinvent it — it’s to support the people who make it work, protect what makes it special, and help ensure it remains strong for decades to come.”

Swanson noted that radio remains uniquely positioned to serve local audiences and businesses. “Radio reaches people in real time, through voices they know and trust,” he said. “That trust is hard-earned, and it’s incredibly valuable — especially for local businesses trying to connect with their customers in a meaningful way.” He added that Finger Lakes Radio Group stood out during his evaluation of multiple ownership groups. “This was the most disciplined and well-run local media operation I encountered,” Swanson said. “That doesn’t happen by accident. It’s a direct reflection of Alan’s leadership and commitment to fostering community.”

As part of the change in control, Frank Lischak has been promoted to General Manager and will continue to oversee day-to-day operations, including sales, programming, and community engagement.

“The stations will continue to be run by the same team, with the same local focus,” Swanson said. “That’s essential.”

Swanson previously served as SVP of Marketing for iSpot and spent four years as a submarine SONAR technician in the U.S. Navy, stationed at Pearl Harbor from 1994-1998. He has a rich tech background, having spent time in Seattle with Apptio and, before that, Microsoft.

— Reporting by Adam R Jacobson, in Cocoa Beach, Fla.