As 2020 came to a close, RBR+TVBR reported on a transaction that saw Miguel Amador and his Ritmo Broadcasting agree to purchase a Class B AM licensed to Florence, N.J., and its FM translator companion in Burlington, N.J., branded as “WIFI.”
Now, Amador is selling those facilities, along with an additional FM translator in Trenton. Who’s the buyer?
The Voice Radio Trenton LLC, led by Edwin Andrade, is adding WIFI-AM 1460, W255DJ at 92.9 MHz, and W253DG at 98.5 MHz in Trenton by agreeing to pay $950,000 for the facilities.
A Time Brokerage Agreement will allow The Voice to assume control of the FM translators and WIFI ahead of closing. This follows a LMA that took effect on January 15, allowing The Voice Radio Network to expand its “Maxima” Latin Contemporary music format to the signals.
The deal was expected, as Ritmo sold to The Voice FM translator W281CL at 92.9 MHz in January for $90,000 and subsequently changed WIFI’s format to “Maxima,” which matches the company’s Delaware-focused offering targeting Latinos.
Could the transaction finally bring format stability to WIFI-AM and its translator companions?
Ritmo acquired WIFI-AM and W255DJ from Real Life Broadcasting for $275,000 in a transaction brokered by Dave Garland. In April 2021, six weeks after the deal closed, the format changed from Top 40 to Tropical as “Ritmo 92.9.” Six months later, the format transitioned to Latin Adult Contemporary as “Amor” as “Ritmo” shifted to the Trenton translator at 98.5 MHz.
In late March 2022, WIFI for five days became a Rhythmic Top 40; it then reverted to “Amor,” switched to Rhythmic Top 40 days later, and suddenly went dark for 10 days. Once the dust settled, “JAMZ 92.9” arrived, solidifying a Hip-Hop presentation that lasted through the sale to The Voice.
The Voice Radio Networkhas become an established player across the Delmarva Peninsula, with stations serving Salisbury-Ocean City, Md., and Southern New Jersey.
