Connoisseur Media has completed its purchase of Alpha Media following FCC approval, elevating the company into the top ten US radio operators by stations and revenue. The announcement was paired with a refreshed corporate logo signaling a new phase of growth.
The deal extends Connoisseur’s footprint beyond its established clusters in Connecticut and Long Island into major markets including San Antonio, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Jose, Palm Springs, and Louisville. A Local Marketing Agreement for Alpha’s 207 stations had already been in place since May.
The acquisition was structured around Connoisseur assuming and refinancing Alpha’s significant debt load. Despite exiting bankruptcy in 2021, Alpha carried about $115 million in obligations. Under the purchase terms, Connoisseur repaid and retired Alpha’s outstanding credit agreements, replacing them with new financing backed by Brigade Capital Management and Sienna Lending. Guggenheim Securities acted as financial advisor, with legal support from Winston & Strawn, Wiley Rein, McDermott Will & Shulte, and Wilkinson Barker Knauer.
CEO Jeff Warshaw emphasized the company’s continued commitment to community-based radio while building digital and multi-platform capabilities. “Local broadcasting has always been at the heart of what we do,” he said. “This acquisition is about assembling the scale and resources to keep radio strong, serve our communities, empower our employees, and create even more value for advertisers.”
Warshaw also praised Alpha’s staff, saying he was impressed by their dedication to local service. “I am excited to be associated with such a great group of people,” he added, underscoring the company’s intent to integrate Alpha’s culture into its broader mission.