Salt Air Broadcasting has reached an agreement to acquire three Cape Cod FM stations and the digital operations of CCB Media, expanding its local portfolio to four FM stations and one AM station. The transaction, which remains subject to FCC approval, is expected to transition on November 30.
Salt Air will acquire WQRC-FM 99.9 in Barnstable, WKPE-FM 103.9 in South Yarmouth, and WOCN-FM 104.7 in Orleans. The stations will join Salt Air’s existing WGTX-FM signals at 106.5 and 102.3 and WGTX-AM 1240.
The company also plans to launch a nonprofit Classical HD channel, although it has not yet identified the signal that will carry it or provided a launch date.
Salt Air owner and CEO Gary Hanna said the company intends to retain CCB’s existing sales and back-office personnel while adding sales staff. The acquisition also includes CapeCod.com and CCB’s digital operations, which Salt Air plans to expand with additional local news, dining, events and tourism coverage.
“We still strongly believe in the power of local radio, particularly here on Cape Cod where a dedicated, year-round population relies on local stations every day,” Hanna said.
CCB Media owner Greg Bone said the company wanted a local buyer after 48 years operating on Cape Cod.
“After forty-eight years working with our talented people who had passion and commitment serving Cape Cod, it was important for us to sell to a local owner who shares our deep-rooted commitment to local radio, community involvement, and serving local programming to our listeners,” Bone said.
Terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.
Source: Salt Air Broadcasting