A Class D AM radio station surrounded by Florida’s sugar cane fields near Lake Okeechobee has a long history of broadcasting. It’s seen several owners, and identities, and was most recently branded as “The Talk of the Palm Beaches” in attempt to draw listening from Palm Beach County instead of the small towns surrounding this facility’s tower.
Now, this Belle Glade, Fla., AM in existence since October 1947 is trading hands. The “Sugar”-sweet transaction is the deal of the day for RBR+TVBR‘s TRANSACTIONS TODAY.
For many years, WSWN-AM 900 was known as “Sugar 900,” airing an R&B and Gospel presentation targeting African Americans in Hendry and Okeechobee Counties, in addition to portions of Palm Beach County.
In September 2014, JVC Broadcasting acquired WSWN along with then-FM companion WBGF-FM 93.5 in Belle Glade from BGI Broadcasting.
No price was revealed in that transaction, which saw Eddie Esserman of Media Services Group’s Saint Simons Island, Ga., office represent JVC.
Under JVC, WSWN’s 1kw daytime signal and 22-watt nighttime signal were marketed to listeners between Boca Raton and Jupiter, which can easily tune to the station in the car.
WSWN’s signal also reaches most of Broward and Martin Counties.
Alas, JVC was ultimately unsuccessful in drawing listeners in large numbers to WSWN.
Now, it is selling the station to Sugar Broadcasting, a Florida corporation led by President Sylna Leger Bazile, for $125,000. A $25,000 escrow deposit has been made to JVC, led by President John Caracciolo.
The company could return WSWN to “Sugar 900,” although there’s no confirmation of such a move.
Serving as JVC’s broker in this deal is Doyle Hadden of Hadden & Associates.
Representing JVC as legal counsel in this transaction is Francisco Montero of Fletcher Heald & Hildreth.
