WCLO-AM and WJVL-FM, both in Janesville, Wisconsin are being sold by Southern Wisconsin Broadcasting. The buyer is Big Radio.
Southern Wisconsin Broadcasting is a subsidiary of Bliss Communications, owned by Sidney Bliss. WCLO-AM began broadcasting in 1930 under the leadership of Skip’s father and was the first radio station operated by the Bliss family. WJVL-FM began broadcasting in 1947. The company also sold its newspaper, The Jainesville Gazette, to Adams Publishing
The buyer, Ben Thompson, CEO of Big Radio, is part of a father/son operation, locally operating eight radio stations from its offices in Beloit, Freeport, Monroe, and Janesville. Scott Thompson founded Big Radio in 1996 with the purchase of two radio stations in Monroe, WI. After four years at Magnetar Capital, a Chicago-based hedge fund, Ben Thompson moved to Beloit and was named CEO of the family business. Both Scott and Ben reside in-market.
The financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
Kalil & Co. represented Big Radio in the deal.
