In radio lore, WHTZ “Z100” in New York is perhaps the most successful “worst to first” story in history. In the role of General Sales Manager from its August 2, 1983 launch by Milton Maltz’s Malrite Communications: Gary Fisher. From 1987-1992, he was Z100’s VP/GM, steering it from the programming leadership of Scott Shannon through the murky waters of a post-Persian Gulf War Top 40 format demise.
In 1995, Fisher began buying radio stations, and today serves as owner and President of Equity Communications of Atlantic City, N.J.
Now, Fisher is selling another one of the FMs in his stable along the Jersey Shore in a sale brokered by Kalil & Co.
In November 2020, RBR+TVBR reported on the sale by Equity of WAIV-FM 105.5, a Class A licensed to Cape May Courthouse, N.J., to The Bridge of Hope Inc. for $65,000.
With that transaction, the WAIV call letters moved to the former WGBZ, a Class A FM licensed to Cape May at 102.3 MHz. This became the new simulcast partner of WAYV-FM 95.1 in Atlantic City, putting a city-grade signal over Wildwood, where the 50kw WAYV signals begins to fade.
Pending FCC approval, the newest incarnation of WAIV will be sold, as the James Weller-led Mighty Voice Broadcasting has agreed to purchase the FM for $120,000.
A $24,000 escrow deposit is being held by Gammon & Grange.
Kalil & Co. served as Equity Communications’ broker of record in the transaction.
Upon closing, the WAIV call letters will likely be moved again, as Delaware-based Mighty Voice notes in the asset purchase agreement that the facility at 102.3 MHz will hopefully become WNJD-FM.
Weller, along with partner Colin Walls, are the operators of “TV Delmarva Channel 14,” and this marks the entity’s first radio stations.
