Connoisseur Media has shut down four radio stations that had served an area northeast of Des Moines.
KCOB/1280 (Newton), KCOB-FM/95.9 (Newton), KGRN/1410 (Grinnell), and “Energy 106.7” (KRTI Grinnell-Newton) went off the air June 9. The shutdown affects six employees.
Connoisseur is looking for a buyer for the stations.
In FCC applications for special temporary authority for each station to remain silent, Connoisseur stated, “The station was taken off the air due to financial reasons. The licensee is currently weighing options as to the future of the station.”
KRTI is the largest of the stations, using 50kW/150m (class C2) with a main coverage area including Marshalltown. Both KRTI and KCOB-FM also deliver fringe signals to suburban Des Moines.
Jasper and Poweshiek Counties, where Newton and Grinnell are located, have a combined population of about 56,000. Newton also receives strong signals from the major Des Moines radio stations.
The shutdown comes two months after Connoisseur shut down KMCD/KKFD in Fairfield, Iowa. The company also has groups in Fort Dodge and Mason City that remain on the air.
Elsewhere, Connoisseur has sold off stations in several South Dakota markets, most recently Watertown, as well as Luverne, Minn. Meanwhile, the company is seeking to expand in Lincoln, Neb., with the proposed purchase of its main competitor.
This item was originally posted June 10 and was updated June 14 with details of FCC filings.