Headlines

Saga is selling its TV stations in the Joplin, MO – Pittsburg, KS and the Victoria, TX television markets for an aggregate price of approximately $66.6 million. Saga is also buying WCKN (FM), WMXZ (FM), WXST (FM), WAVF (FM), WSPO (AM), W261DG and W257BQ in Charleston, SC and WVSC (FM), WLHH (FM), WALI (FM), W256CB and W293BZ, serving the Hilton Head and Beaufort, SC radio markets, from Apex Media Corporation for $23.0 million.

The Northern Virginia Daily has the details about Allen Shaw's Centennial Broadcasting selling the station previously known as WINC-AM to Colonial Radio Group of Williamsport. The station, now using the calls WZFC, just celebrated its 80th anniversary. It was sold for $25,000.

(By Deborah Parenti) This is a time when radio can shine and provide an important service to its communities. Whether its live and local (always a preference for most) or yes, even syndicated, there are so many ways, on so many levels that radio can once again demonstrate its innate ability to be a lifeline, most especially for the elder population which is as risk, not only in a physical sense, but in terms of mental well-being.

Cumulus Media has announced a fourth additional extension to the company's debt exchange plan in a capital restructuring. The "Further Extended Expiration Time" has been further extended from the previous April 9 deadline until April 12.

(By Deborah Parenti) As I sit here pondering a blank page, trying to decide what to write about this month, I am struck by the similarities between a blank page and a manager’s first day in the office. In both cases, there is always that first seed of doubt. Can I do this? Am I ready and able to keep this ship on course and bring it into harbor?

Muzzy Broadcasting's WPTW (98.1 FM) in Piqua, Ohio is holding an open house in celebration of the station's 75th anniversary. The open house will take place Wednesday, December 7 at the station's studios from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Two-thousand-watter WWXX-FM in Buckland, Virginia, goes to Educational Media Foundation for $250,000, according to Greg Guy of Patrick Communications. The station is now carrying sports, and EMF President Mike Novak tells us the format EMF will carry on the station has not been decided yet. Red Zebra has been selling off its stations in recent months.

The New York Post is reporting that ESPN values its podcast business more than radio and may be looking for a way out of the New York City and L.A. markets.

Galaxy Media in Syracuse and Utica has reduced staff at the office to ensure the safety of everyone and in order to continue its live & local shows. The stations have also seen a significant spike in smart speaker usage, so they are promoting the daylights out of that. But wait, there's more...

River Radio Ministries, who made a deal to purchase WQKT in Columbus, OH, back in November, has unveiled the anticipated lineup for the station. Despite a scheduled May 1 change to Christian music as 104.5 The River, some previous programming will remain.