FLX Local Media Completes Its Finger Lakes Deal

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Canandaigua, N.Y., as seen in July 2017 [Photo: Adam R Jacobson]
Canandaigua, N.Y., as seen in July 2017 [Photo: Adam R Jacobson]

CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. — As 2025 neared its close, entrepreneur and digital media veteran Scott Swanson agreed to purchase a trio of full-power FM radio stations and four AM properties, each with FM translators to boost consumer access to the audio brands.


Now, the transaction brokered by longtime dealmaker George Kimble of RadioTVforSale.com has closed.

A purchase price of $2.2 million has given Swanson’s TOTIB Media and its FLX Local Media arm the following stations:

  • 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)

Swanson assumed control of the properties at the start of 2026 under a Time Brokerage Agreement.

A $250,000 deposit was wired to Graff Law Office PLLC as escrow agent. At closing $630,000 in cash was 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.”

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.

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

— Archival reporting by Adam R Jacobson

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