The Duhamel family is exiting broadcasting with the sale of their group of five Black Hills radio stations to an eastern South Dakota broadcaster. Having sold KOTA-TV in 2014, three companies run by the Duhamels are now selling the radio group to Riverfront Broadcasting for $3.6 million.
The stations include Classic Hits “Q92.3” (KQRQ Rapid City), “Eagle Country” (KZZI/95.9 Belle Fource-Rapid City), “X Rock” (KDDX/101.1 Spearfish-Rapid City), Hot Adult Contemporary station “Star 106.3” (KZLK Rapid City), News/Talker KOTA/1380 (Rapid City), and several translators relaying KOTA, KZZI, and KDDX. KOTA and KDDX are owned by Duhamel Broadcasting Enterprises, while KQRQ and KZLK are owned by New Generation Broadcasting and KZZI is owned by Western South Dakota Broadcasting.
The sale marks an end to a 75-year history of broadcast ownership by members of the Duhamel family in the Black Hills, which began when Helen Duhamel bought an interest in the radio station that later became KOTA. She oversaw construction of KOTA-TV, the region’s first TV station, and the family expanded the business over the decades.
Riverfront Broadcasting is owned by Caroline and Doyle Becker of Yankton, whose companies also own three stations in the Yankton market, three stations in the Pierre market, four stations in Minnesota, and three in Iowa. Riverfront began operating the stations under a programming agreement that began Jan. 1.