Connoisseur Media has announced plans to buy Alpha Media, which owns dozens of radio stations in the Upper Midwest.
In a May 5 news release, Connoisseur said it has entered into a local marketing agreement to operate the Alpha stations while it awaits FCC approval of the sale. The purchase price was not announced and the deal had not yet appeared in the FCC database as of the evening of May 5.
Connoisseur currently owns 11 stations on the East Coast. After purchasing Alpha, it will have 218 stations in 47 markets.
“We are thrilled to welcome Alpha Media into the Connoisseur family. In getting to know the Alpha team, it has become clear that we share many of the same values — a passion for serving our local communities, a deep commitment to our clients, supporting our colleagues and fostering a culture of integrity, creativity and achievement,” Jeff Warshaw, CEO of Connoisseur Media, said in the news release.
“This transaction underscores our commitment to the irreplaceable role local broadcasters play in providing news, information and entertainment that truly resonates. Together, we will build an industry-leading platform of broadcast and digital. I could not be more excited to get started,” Warshaw said.
Alpha’s holdings include dozens of stations in the Upper Midwest:
- Fairfield, IA: KMCD/1570 and KKFD-FM/95.9
- Fort Dodge, IA: KWMT/540, KVFD/1400, KZLB/92.1, KKEZ/94.5, KIAQ/96.9 (Clarion), KXFT/99.7 (Manson), and KTLB/105.9 (Twin Lakes)
- Grinnell/Newton, IA: KCOB/1280 (Newton), KGRN/1410 (Grinnell), KCOB-FM/95.9 (Newton), and KRTI/106.7 (Grinnell)
- Mason City, IA: KGLO/1300, KRIB/1490, KIAI/93.9, KYTC/102.7 (Northwood), and KLSS/106.1
- Austin/Albert Lea, MN: KATE/1450 (Albert Lea), KAUS/1480 (Austin), KCPI/94.9 (Albert Lea), KAUS-FM/99.9 (Austin)
- Luverne, MN: KQAD/800 and KLQL/101.1
- Mankato, MN: KMKO/95.7 (Lake Crystal), KEEZ/99.1, KYSM-FM/103.5, and KRBI-FM/105.5 (St. Peter)
- Redwood Falls, MN: KLGR/1490 and KLGR-FM/97.7
- Columbus, NE: KJSK/900, KTTT/1510, KKOT/93.5, KZEN-FM/100.3 (Central City), and KLIR/101.1
- Lincoln, NE: KFOR/1240, KLMS/1480, KTGL/92.9 (Beatrice), KZKX/96.9 (Seward), KIBZ/104.1 (Crete), and KFRX/106.3
- Brookings, SD: KJJQ/910 (Volga), KBRK/1430, KBRK-FM/93.7, KKQQ/102.3 (Volga), and KDBX/107.1 (Clear Lake)
- Madison, SD: KJAM/1390 and KJAM-FM/103.1
- Watertown, SD: KWAT/950, KSDR/1480, KSDR-FM/92.9, KIXX/96.1, KDLO-FM/96.9, KKSD/104.3 (Ortonville, MN)
- Kenosha, WI: WLIP/1050 and WIIL/95.1 (Union Grove)