Alpha Media Sells Two Virginia Radio Stations to Educational Media Foundation (Press Release)

Educational Media Foundation (EMF) has entered into an agreement to acquire WLFV-FM in Midlothian, VA and WARV-FM in Petersburg, VA, serving Richmond, VA from Alpha Media.

The purchase price is $2,000,000.*

George Reed of Media Services Group represented the Seller in this transaction.

Salina Radio Stations Acquired by Rocking M Media, LLC. (Press Release)

Salina, KS: (Wednesday, October 12, 2016) Alpha Media LLC and Rocking M Media, LLC announced today their formal filing with the Federal Communications Commission to transfer five of Alpha Media’s radio stations in Salina, Abilene and Manhattan Kansas to Rocking M Media.
The radio stations to be transferred are; KSAL-AM 1150; KSAL-FM 104.9; KABI-AM 1560; KYEZ-FM 93.7 and KBLS-FM 102.5.

Alpha Media CEO/President, Bob Proffitt commented on the announcement, “We’re happy for our employees in Salina to be joining such a great company. Rocking M Media is a strong force in Kansas radio and media.”

Rocking M Media President, Christopher Miller added, “RMM is so very excited to add the Alpha Media staff and stations to our family. They will be a great addition and will be instrumental in helping RMM promote the businesses and communities in and around our Salina and Abilene markets.”

Alpha Media was represented by George Reed of Media Services Group and Rocking M Media was represented by Gammon Miller media investment bankers.

About Alpha Media
Alpha Media, headquartered in Portland, Oregon was formed by veteran radio executive, Larry Wilson in August 2009 and initially acquired six Portland radio stations. After several acquisitions and this transaction, Alpha Media will own or operate 246 radio stations within 50 markets across the United States covering all formats including Top 40, Adult Contemporary, Spanish, Urban, News Talk, Sports, Rock, Country and more. In addition to the radio stations, Alpha Media owns the intimate performance venues, Skype Live Studio in Portland Oregon and Alamo Lounge in San Antonio, Texas. 

About Rocking M Media
In 2007 the Miller family established what has become known as Rocking M Media, LLC (RMM) as a business development company. The RMM group of 24 radio stations covers all of Central and Western Kansas and parts of Nebraska, Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming.
The principals of RMM are Monte and Doris Miller and their sons Christopher Miller and Quinn Miller and Christopher’s son Cale Miller. The Miller family has been developing businesses in Kansas for more than 100 years. They have owned newspapers, television stations and now radio stations. Monte Miller’s grandfather was A.Q. Miller, from Salina Kansas and he started the family media business with owning newspapers in Kansas and Colorado in the 1890’s. The Journalism School at Kansas State University is named The A.Q. Miller Family School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

As a business development company RMM focuses on the needs of entrepreneurs and business owners in its radio markets; by offering incubator office space with business training, radio advertising, digital media, social media and raising capital with its crowd funding site RuralGrowth.com.

RMM is as entrepreneurial as its clients and has launched other businesses that complement the RMM platform like; TodayInKansas.com a news portal that has its own radio network that broadcasts three Kansas news reports daily on 27 radio stations in Kansas, the Kansas Farm and Ranch Radio network the largest Ag radio network in the state, Wheat State Signs a sign company in Pratt, KS, KANBids.com an online auction site with auctions every two weeks where RMM sells local services and merchandise from its radio station advertisers. 

Vertical Bridge Closes on Alpha Media Radio Broadcast Towers (Press Release)

Vertical Bridge, the largest private owner and manager of wireless communication infrastructure in the U.S., today announced that it has completed the acquisition of nearly 200 radio broadcast towers in a two part transaction with Alpha Media. The portfolio of assets acquired includes 64 sites from Alpha Media’s existing portfolio and 49 sites which Alpha Media recently acquired as part of its purchase of radio stations from Digity, LLC. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

With this acquisition, Vertical Bridge now has a total portfolio of over 42,000 towers, rooftop locations, billboards, utility infrastructure and other site locations that it owns, operates or manages. The company’s geographic presence in key markets across the U.S. has also expanded significantly.

“We are thrilled to partner with Larry Wilson and Alpha Media, which owns and operates an admirable portfolio of assets in prime locations across top markets,” said Alex Gellman, Chief Executive Officer of Vertical Bridge. “It would be challenging to site these towers today, and we feel fortunate to expand our portfolio into these areas and further strengthen Vertical Bridge’s offering to our partners. Since these towers have not yet been marketed to wireless carriers, they offer attractive new collocation opportunities. Our broadcast partners will also benefit from the height of these towers as they will provide good relocation options relative to the 600MHz auction repacking process.”

Alpha Media Chairman, Larry Wilson commented on the announcement, “We could not have done this without the hard work and determination from the great team at Vertical Bridge. We’re proud to call them a partner of the Alpha Media family.”

George Reed of Media Services Group is the broker for Alpha Media.

Alpha Media Closes on 116 Digity Radio Stations (Press Release)

The Alpha Media purchase of Digity’s radio stations has closed.

The $264 million deal results in Alpha owning 251 stations in 53 markets, the fourth largest broadcast company in the country by station count and the third largest by market count.

Alpha Media Chairman Larry Wilson said, “We are very pleased to get this remarkable transaction done resulting in making Alpha the 4th largest radio company in America. In our fold is now an exceptional stable of diversified stations and markets; bigger markets like West Palm Beach and San Jose, to smaller markets like Mason City, Iowa and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina serving not only their towns but surrounding areas and communities. It has been a tremendous pleasure to work with respected broadcaster, Dean Goodman, and his management team. We look forward to joining forces with the phenomenal people at Digity doing radio the right way.”

Goodman, the CEO of Digity, added, “I have been honored to work with the great broadcasters of Digity. They know their roots are in live and local and their future is dynamic. They will excel as individual and collective entrepreneurs with Alpha. We hand off a thriving company, up this year at top of the industry. I wish Larry, Donna, Bob and team all the best, they have assembled a great platform.”

RBC Capital Markets, LLC acted as sole financial advisor and Cooley LLP as transaction and regulatory counsel to Digity. 

Media Services Group’s George Reed served as broker for Alpha.

Alpha Media closes purchase of Morris Communications Radio stations (Press Release)

Alpha Media of Portland, Oregon announced today they have closed the purchase of radio stations from Morris Communications. The Morris purchase includes thirty-six radio stations located within the following markets; Topeka, KS; Salina, KS; Amarillo, TX; Palm Springs, CA; Anchorage, AK; Wasilla, AK; Grays Harbor-Hoquiam, WA and Wenatchee-Columbia River, WA.

When all pending deals are completed, it will bring the total number of stations owned by Alpha Media to two hundred, fifty-two. Chairman of Alpha Media, Larry Wilson commented on the acquisition, “I have enjoyed getting to know Mr. Morris and am thrilled to be adding stations that have been in the hands of such a successful and influential team. We look forward to expanding our Alpha family.”

George Reed of Media Services Group is the broker for Alpha Media.

Upon the successful completion of all pending transactions, Alpha Media, headquartered in Portland, Oregon will own 252 radio stations within 54 markets across the United States covering all formats including Top 40, Adult Contemporary, Spanish, Urban, News Talk, Sports, Rock, Country and more. In addition to the radio stations, Alpha Media owns the intimate performance venues, Skype Live Studio in Portland, Oregon and Alamo Lounge in San Antonio, Texas.

Alpha Media to purchase Morris Communications Radio stations

Alpha Media of Portland, Oregon announced today they have entered into a definitive agreement to purchase radio stations from Morris Communications. Morris owns thirty-six radio stations in 8 markets including; Topeka, KS; Salina, KS; Amarillo, TX; Palm Springs, CA; Anchorage, AK; Wasilla, AK; Grays Harbor-Hoquiam, WA and Wenatchee-Columbia River, WA.

Larry Wilson, Chairman of Alpha Media will add the Morris markets to the ninety-nine stations currently in the Alpha Media portfolio. When all pending deals are completed, it will bring the total number of stations owned by Alpha Media to 135. Commenting on the acquisition, Wilson said, “What a wonderful thing it is to combine with such a fine stable of radio properties. They bring heritage radio stations to our platform that will truly enhance our growth opportunities extensively.”

William S. Morris III, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Morris Communications Company said, “We are pleased to enter into this agreement with Larry Wilson and his exceptional team. They are experienced operators that will maintain the ongoing success of these stations. We take comfort in knowing we have superior employees in each market that will continue to serve these wonderful communities.”

This transaction will be filed with the Federal Communications Commission shortly and is subject to their approval.

George Reed of Media Services Group is the broker for Alpha Media.

Upon the successful completion of all pending transactions, Alpha Media, headquartered in Portland, Oregon will own 132 radio stations and operate 3 additional stations under LMAs within 28 markets across the United States covering all formats including Top 40, Adult Contemporary, Spanish, Urban, News Talk, Sports, Rock, Country and more. In addition to the radio stations; Alpha Media owns the digital media and marketing company; Xapsis in Peoria, Illinois and the intimate performance venues, Skype Live Studio in Portland, Oregon and Alamo Lounge in San Antonio, Texas.

Alpha Media closes Fredericksburg, VA Cluster

Alpha Media of Portland, OR has closed on its purchase of four radio stations in Fredericksburg, VA from Free Lance–Star Publishing LLC.

Alpha purchased WFLS–FM, WNTX–AM, WVBX–FM and WWUZ–FM.

I represented the seller.

George
Media Services Group

MSG Announces Sale of Free Lance-Star Radio Stations

Here is the press release about the sale of the Free Lance-Star stations in Fredericksburg, VA.  We are please to have represented the seller in this transaction.

FREE LANCE-STAR STATIONS TO BE SOLD

Free Lance–Star Publishing LLC announced Friday that it is selling its four radio stations to Alpha Media of Portland, Ore.

Alpha has agreed to purchase WFLS–FM, WNTX–AM, WVBX–FM and WWUZ–FM, pending approval from the Federal Communications Commission. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Sandton Partners, which purchased The Free Lance–Star in a bankruptcy auction in June, announced late last year that it would sell the Fredericksburg-area stations after being directed by the FCC to divest itself of either the newspaper or its Star Radio Group holdings. “We are proud to have been owners of the Free Lance-Star radio properties,” said Robert Orr, managing director for the company.

“The transaction with Alpha Media gives us great comfort in knowing that the stations will be in very capable hands, and that listeners in the Fredericksburg area will continue to benefit from the excellent entertainment and news programming that they have come to expect from us.” Free Lance–Star and Star Radio Group Chief Executive Officer Gene Carr said Alpha has agreed to keep all employees of the stations, which will continue to operate from the FLS building on Amelia Street. “The staff are an integral part of serving the listeners and advertisers of the Fredericksburg region; I am pleased that the entire staff will be offered employment with Alpha Media,” Carr said.

“We will continue to operate the Star Radio Group until FCC approvals have been finalized and we look forward to seeing the continued growth of these radio stations,” he added. “Alpha Media has an excellent reputation in the industry.”

When completed, the deal will give Alpha a total of 93 radio stations across the country.
“Fredericksburg is a thriving place that continues to grow. It will be a nice addition to our East Coast footprint,” said Alpha Media Chairman Larry Wilson. “I feel privileged to be able to get into that market and work with the great people there.”

In addition to the radio stations; Alpha Media owns the digital media and marketing company Xapsis in Peoria, Ill., and two performance venues, Bing Lounge in Portland, Ore., and Alamo Lounge in San Antonio, Texas.

George Reed of Media Services Group brokered the deal.

Alpha Media to purchase Access 1 Communications radio stations in Shreveport and Tyler-Longview

For Immediate Release: December 22, 2014
Portland, OR
Contact: Randi P’Pool
Direct: 503-517-6376

Alpha Media of Portland, Oregon announced today they have entered into a definitive agreement to purchase radio stations from Access 1 Communications. Access 1 Communications owns nine radio stations; five stations located in Shreveport, Louisiana which include KBTT(FM), KOKA(AM), KDKS(FM), KLKL(FM), KTAL(FM) and four radio stations in Tyler-Longview, Texas; KKUS(FM), KOOI(FM), KOYE(FM) and KYKX(FM). Alpha Media will begin operating the Access 1 stations under an LMA starting January 1, 2015.

Larry Wilson, Chairman of Alpha Media will add the Access 1 clusters to the seventy stations (which include two under LMAs) currently in the Alpha Media portfolio. When all pending deals are completed, it will bring the total number of stations owned by Alpha Media to eighty-three (this includes the pending acquisition of six California stations). Commenting on the acquisition, Wilson said, “I’ve known Chesley Maddox-Dorsey for a long time. She’s a great person with superb integrity and it’s a tremendous honor for us to be buying stations from Access 1. I’ve been continually impressed with the quality of people I’ve met and their passion for the industry; it fits right in our sweet spot for live and local radio and we are very much looking forward to the acquisition.”

Chesley Maddox-Dorsey, President and CEO of Access 1 Communications said, “Larry Wilson continues to display the dynamism that has earned him the best in class title for our industry. With our sale to Alpha Media, our employees, listeners and advertising partners in East Texas and Shreveport, Louisiana will have the opportunity to work with a visionary group of media professionals with a demonstrated track record of success. We are thrilled that we could pass our baton to this incredibly imaginative company that will maintain that intimate connection with listeners and advertisers that we have come to cherish.”

This transaction will be filed with the Federal Communications Commission shortly and is subject to their approval.

Alpha Media, headquartered in Portland, Oregon owns and operates 68 radio stations and 2 additional stations under LMAs in 12 markets across the United States covering all formats including Top 40, Adult Contemporary, Spanish, Urban, News Talk, Sports, Rock, Country and more. In addition to the radio stations; Alpha Media owns the digital media and marketing company; Xapsis in Peoria, Illinois and the intimate performance venues, Bing Lounge in Portland, Oregon and Alamo Lounge in San Antonio, Texas.

I represented the seller.

George
Media Services Group