The FCC has denied Broadcast Music, Incorporated’s informal objection to the sale of six radio stations in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and approved their transfer to a new owner, with a condition that the seller pay its outstanding FCC debt.
As reported here in February, an attorney for BMI objected to the sale, saying that seller Sovereign Communications had failed to pay two civil court judgments totaling $339,631.36. Sovereign argued that the FCC is not the proper forum for the dispute.
In its order, the FCC’s Audio Division said “a private contractual dispute between BMI and Sovereign that is within the province of, and has been adjudicated by, a local court of competent jurisdiction.”
The transfer of six licenses from Sovereign to AMC Partners Escanaba, as well as two licenses from Sovereign to Marquette Radio LLC, was approved with the condition that Sovereign pay outstanding FCC regulatory fee debts dating back to FY 2016 within 20 days.
AMC Partners is buying WJPD-FM/92.3 (Ishpeming-Marquette), WDMJ/1320 (Marquette), and WIAN/1240 (Ishpeming) from Sovereign to add to its existing three FM stations in Marquette. To the south, AMC is buying WIMK/93.1 (Iron Mountain), WZNL/94.3 (Norway-Iron Mountain), and WMIQ/1450 (Iron Mountain) from Sovereign.
Marquette Radio, owned by the brother of AMC Partners’ manager, is buying WUPK/94.1 (Marquette) and WNGE/99.5 (Negaunee-Marquette) from Sovereign.