Alpha Media Explained

Alpha Media LLC
Trade Name:Alpha Media
Industry:Mass media
Genre:Radio broadcasting
Foundation:Portland, Oregon
Founder:Lawrence R. "Larry" Wilson
Location City:Portland, Oregon
Location Country:US
Locations:135[1]
Key People:Larry Wilson (Chairman)
Bob Proffitt (President/CEO)
Donna Heffner (CFO)

Alpha Media LLC is a radio broadcasting company based in Portland, Oregon, and led by Bob Proffitt. The group does business under the Alpha Media name.

It was formed from the merger of Alpha Broadcasting, L&L Broadcasting, and Main Line Broadcasting on July 1, 2014.

It owns its radio stations through Alpha Media Licensee, LLC. At its formation, it owned 68 radio stations in 12 markets, along with two theatres (in Portland and San Antonio) and a digital marketing firm in Peoria, Illinois.

Alpha Broadcasting

Alpha Broadcasting was founded in 2009 in Portland, Oregon by Larry Wilson, arising from the sale of stations formerly a part of the CBS Radio Portland cluster with those of Rose City Radio.

On April 17, 2014, L&L Broadcasting announced that it has agreed to merge with Alpha, while purchasing the stations of Main Line Broadcasting. The combined entity became known as Alpha Media.[2]

L&L Broadcasting

The broadcasting group was sometimes referred to as Live and Local.

L&L was formed in 2012 to buy all but two of the radio stations of Triad Broadcasting for $21 million; the deal, involving 32 stations in 5 radio markets, closed in May 2013, and transfer was finalized in June 2013. L&L immediately arranged for the 6 stations in the Fargo, North Dakota market to be sold to Jim Ingstad.[3]

In August 2013, L&L arranged to buy, from YMF Media (Yucaipa Companies and Earvin "Magic" Johnson),[4] the six stations formerly owned by Inner City Broadcasting in the Jackson, Mississippi radio market.[5]

In September, 2013, L&L definitively agreed to purchase an additional 5 stations in Columbia, South Carolina from YMF Media.[6]

On April 17, 2014, L&L Broadcasting announced that it has agreed to merge with Alpha Broadcasting, while purchasing the stations of Main Line Broadcasting.[2]

Post-merger changes

On October 10, 2014, Alpha Media announced that it will be purchasing the remaining stations owned by Buckley Broadcasting in Bakersfield and Merced, California. These were the last stations remaining to be divested by Buckley, which had begun to sell off its radio assets in 2008.[7] The purchase of the Buckley stations was consummated on December 31, 2014, at a price of $5.8 million.

On January 1, 2015, Alpha Media began an LMA on the Access.1 stations in Shreveport, Louisiana and Tyler/Longview, Texas. The purchase was consummated on April 14, 2015, at a price of $13.75 million. Effective February 1, 2017 Alpha transferred control of KFRO to a new owner, and returned operation of KCUL-FM, and KSYR to Access.1.

Effective May 1, 2015, Alpha Media acquired four stations and a translator in the Fredericksburg, Virginia market from The Free Lance-Star, at a price of $8.1 million.

On August 17, 2015, Alpha Media announced it was purchasing Palm Springs, California radio stations KDES-FM and KPSI-FM ("Mix 100.5"). While the purchase price was not originally announced,[8] the transaction was consummated on December 29, 2015 at a price of $3 million.

On February 25, 2016, Alpha Media acquired Digity, LLC for $264 million, adding 116 stations in 26 markets to its portfolio for a total of 251.[9] [10]

In September 2017, Alpha Media announced that it would sell its clusters in Savannah, Kinston/New Bern/Jacksonville, and Myrtle Beach, to Dick Broadcasting Corporation for $19.5 million. Dick assumed control of the stations under local marketing agreements shortly afterward. However, the sale of the Savannah, Georgia stations will not be filed with the FCC until August 2019, with Dick operating them under an LMA for the time being.[11] The sale, at a price of $5,000,000, was consummated on December 1, 2022.

On January 24, 2021, Alpha Media filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, blaming several factors caused by the COVID-19 pandemic as part of the decision. The company had plans to shed most of its debt and restructure agreements with its lenders.[12] [13]

Starting in May 2024, Alpha Media began laying off on-air personalities in several of its markets, starting with a round of cuts at stations in Farmington/Festus and Moberly, Missouri.[14] Later in the month, stations in Minnesota, Iowa and South Dakota were also targeted for layoffs of on-air personnel. A social media post by a former on-air personality at one of the affected stations in Brookings, South Dakota, stated that the Alpha Media stations where the former personalities were employed "would be switching from local programming to national syndication." Another described this as "destroying anything that is unique and of value for local listeners and instead providing things they can already get from many other sources."[15]

Theatres

Alpha Media owns the Skype Live Studio (formerly known as The Bing Lounge) in Portland and The Alamo Lounge in San Antonio, Texas.[16]

Station list

Holdings

Callsign scope=col style="width:4em;" data-sort-type="number" Freq. Market Transferred From Notes
101.3 MHz
103.9 MHz
102.3 MHz
93.5 MHz
1180 kHz [17] Also has booster FM station at 103.3 MHz
1300 kHz
1400 kHz
99.7 MHz
105.9 MHz
107.5 MHz
102.7 MHz
550 kHz BMP Radio
1250 kHz
720 kHz
104.1 MHz
95.7 MHz
94.1 MHz
96.5 MHz [18]
99.7 MHz
101.3 MHz
102.3 MHz
105.1 MHz
92.1 MHz
92.9 MHz
101.5 MHz
102.9 MHz
1410 kHz
94.3 MHz
95.1 MHz
96.7 MHz
800 kHz
1410 kHz
98.7 MHz [19]
95.5 MHz
101.1 MHz
101.9 MHz
750 kHz
970 kHz
95.3 MHz
99.3 MHz
1560 kHz
97.7 MHz
103.7 MHz Access.1 Communications Corp.
102.1 MHz Access.1 Communications Corp.
95.7 MHz Access.1 Communications Corp.
980 kHz Access.1 Communications Corp.
98.1 MHz Access.1 Communications Corp.
104.1 MHz Access.1 Communications Corp.
106.5 MHz Access.1 Communications Corp.
96.7 MHz Access.1 Communications Corp.
105.7 MHz Access.1 Communications Corp.
92.1 MHz Coast Radio Group
101.7 MHz Coast Radio Group
95.3 MHz Coast Radio Group
93.3 MHz Free Lance-Star License, Inc.
1350 kHz Free Lance-Star License, Inc.
99.3 MHz Free Lance-Star License, Inc.
96.9 MHz Free Lance-Star License, Inc.
101.1 MHz
96.3 MHz
104.9 MHz
100.3 MHz
106.3 MHz Adelante Media Group
102.3 MHz Adelante Media Group
1600 kHz Adelante Media Group
104.1 MHz
97.3 MHz Morris Communications
750 kHz Morris Communications
590 kHz Morris Communications
103.1 MHz Morris Communications
106.5 MHz Morris Communications
100.9 MHz Morris Communications
93.7 MHz Morris Communications
95.5 MHz Morris Communications
92.7 MHz Morris Communications
1140 kHz Morris Communications
970 kHz Morris Communications
106.9 MHz Morris Communications
970 kHz Morris Communications
98.5 MHz Morris Communications
580 kHz Morris Communications
94.5 MHz Morris Communications
710 kHz Morris Communications
97.9 MHz Morris Communications
1320 kHz Morris Communications
1490 kHz Morris Communications
95.3 MHz Morris Communications
104.7 MHz Morris Communications
1020 kHz Morris Communications
100.5 MHz Morris Communications
104.7 MHz Morris Communications
900 kHz Morris Communications
103.3 MHz Morris Communications
106.9 MHz JMJ Broadcasting Company, Inc.
100.9 MHz JMJ Broadcasting Company, Inc.
93.9 MHz Miller Communications
98.5 MHz Glen Barnett, Inc.
100.5 MHz R & R Radio Corporation
94.5 MHz Digity, LLC
106.5 MHz Digity, LLC
95.9 MHz Digity, LLC
1570 kHz Digity, LLC
96.9 MHz Digity, LLC
94.5 MHz Digity, LLC
105.9 MHz Digity, LLC
1400 kHz Digity, LLC
540 kHz Digity, LLC
99.7 MHz Digity, LLC
92.1 MHz Digity, LLC
1410 kHz Digity, LLC
106.7 MHz Digity, LLC
1300 kHz Digity, LLC
93.9 MHz Digity, LLC
106.1 MHz Digity, LLC
1490 kHz Digity, LLC
102.7 MHz Digity, LLC
1280 kHz Digity, LLC
95.9 MHz Digity, LLC
98.3 MHz Digity, LLC
95.9 MHz Digity, LLC
1340 kHz Digity, LLC
1220 kHz Digity, LLC
96.7 MHz Digity, LLC
102.3 MHz Digity, LLC
94.5 MHz Digity, LLC
106.3 MHz Digity, LLC
790 kHz Digity, LLC
100.5 MHz Digity, LLC
107.1 MHz Digity, LLC
1450 kHz Digity, LLC
94.9 MHz Digity, LLC
99.9 MHz Digity, LLC
101.1 MHz Digity, LLC
800 kHz Digity, LLC
99.1 MHz Digity, LLC
95.7 MHz Digity, LLC
105.5 MHz Digity, LLC
103.5 MHz Digity, LLC
1480 kHz Digity, LLC
1490 kHz Digity, LLC
97.7 MHz Digity, LLC
870 kHz Digity, LLC
95.5 MHz Digity, LLC
92.5 MHz Digity, LLC
104.7 MHz Digity, LLC
1230 kHz Digity, LLC
800 kHz Digity, LLC
1400 kHz Digity, LLC
100.1 MHz Digity, LLC
1360 kHz Digity, LLC
99.9 MHz Digity, LLC
97.3 MHz Digity, LLC
750 kHz Digity, LLC
103.7 MHz Digity, LLC
98.5 MHz Digity, LLC
97.9 MHz Digity, LLC
1270 kHz Digity, LLC
1390 kHz Digity, LLC
102.3 MHz Digity, LLC
900 kHz Digity, LLC
93.5 MHz Digity, LLC
101.1 MHz Digity, LLC
1510 kHz Digity, LLC
100.3 MHz Digity, LLC
1240 kHz Digity, LLC
106.3 MHz Digity, LLC
104.1 MHz Digity, LLC
1480 kHz Digity, LLC
92.9 MHz Digity, LLC
96.9 MHz Digity, LLC
1480 kHz Digity, LLC
94.1 MHz Digity, LLC
1430 kHz Digity, LLC
93.7 MHz Digity, LLC
107.1 MHz Digity, LLC
910 kHz Digity, LLC
1390 kHz Digity, LLC
103.1 MHz Digity, LLC
96.9 MHz Digity, LLC
96.1 MHz Digity, LLC
104.3 MHz Digity, LLC
1480 kHz Digity, LLC
92.9 MHz Digity, LLC
950 kHz Digity, LLC
97.5 MHz Digity, LLC
93.1 MHz Digity, LLC
102.5 MHz Digity, LLC
95.1 MHz Digity, LLC Station de facto also serves the North Shore suburbs of Chicago and studios are at Gurnee Mills in Gurnee, Illinois
1050 kHz Digity, LLC Station de facto also serves the North Shore suburbs of Chicago and studios are at Gurnee Mills in Gurnee, Illinois
105.5 MHz Matrix Broadcasting LLC [20]
102.9 MHz

Divestments

Callsign scope=col style="width:4em;" data-sort-type="number" Freq. Market Transferred From Divested To Notes
98.7 MHz [21]
107.9 MHz
1660 kHz
105.1 MHz
99.9 MHz
1450 kHz
103.1 MHz
1560 kHz Morris Communications Rocking M Media, LLC
1150 kHz Morris Communications Rocking M Media, LLC
104.9 MHz Morris Communications Rocking M Media, LLC
93.7 MHz Morris Communications Rocking M Media, LLC
102.5 MHz Morris Communications Manhattan Broadcasting Co., Inc.
1330 kHz Digity, LLC Dick Broadcasting
93.3 MHz Digity, LLC Dick Broadcasting
96.1 MHz Digity, LLC Dick Broadcasting
92.1 MHz Digity, LLC Dick Broadcasting
92.3 MHz Digity, LLC Dick Broadcasting
101.1 MHz Digity, LLC Dick Broadcasting
960 kHz Digity, LLC Dick Broadcasting
95.1 MHz Digity, LLC Dick Broadcasting
1450 kHz Digity, LLC Dick Broadcasting
99.5 MHz Digity, LLC Dick Broadcasting
105.5 MHz Digity, LLC Dick Broadcasting
104.1 MHz Digity, LLC Dick Broadcasting
95.3 MHz Digity, LLC Radford Media Group
1280 MHz Digity, LLC Radford Media Group
104.9 MHz Digity, LLC Radford Media Group
97.9 MHz Digity, LLC [22]
107.9 MHz Digity, LLC
103.1 MHz Digity, LLC
102.3 MHz Digity, LLC
850 kHz ACM JCE IV B LLC
640 kHz ACM JCE IV B LLC
100.9 MHz First Media Services, LLC
1240 kHz First Media Services, LLC
104.5 MHz First Media Services, LLC
1440 kHz First Media Services, LLC
106.3 MHz First Media Services, LLC
107.7 MHz First Media Services, LLC
97.9 MHz
96.7 MHz
1490 kHz
1640 kHz
105.9 MHz
107.1 MHz Port Broadcasting
100.7 MHz Digity, LLC Walnut Radio Illinois
1290 kHz
1470 kHz
93.3 MHz
106.9 MHz
102.3 MHz
104.9 MHz
103.1 MHz
107.9 MHz Dick Broadcasting
98.3 MHz Dick Broadcasting
106.1 MHz Dick Broadcasting
106.9 MHz Dick Broadcasting
1130 kHz Dick Broadcasting
100.1 MHz Tama Broadcasting Dick Broadcasting [23]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Morris Communications sells radio stations to Alpha Media | Morris Communications . 2015-09-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065737/http://www.morris.com/news/morris-communications-sells-radio-stations-alpha-media . 2016-03-04 . dead .
  2. Web site: L&L Broadcasting and Alpha Broadcasting Agree To Merge and Become Alpha Media . 17 April 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140418220717/http://www.alphabroadcasting.com/l-l-broadcasting-alpha-broadcasting-agree-to-merge-and-become-alpha-media/ . 18 April 2014 .
  3. News: Thursday, May 2, 2013 . 2013-05-02 . 2013-08-18 . Radio Info . Radio Info, Inc. . Longmeadow, Massachusetts . 2016-03-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160305103930/http://www.radioinfo.com/2013/05/02/thursday-may-2-2013/ . dead .
  4. Web site: A look inside YMF Media . May 2, 2012 . Radio & Television Business Report . Streamline RBR, Inc. . Woodbridge, Virginia . 2013-08-20 .
  5. News: L&L Broadcasting adds to its map. . Inside Radio . Littleton, New Hampshire . M Street Corporation . August 18, 2013 . 2013-08-18 . https://archive.today/20130819043234/http://www.insideradio.com/article.asp?id=2675857&spid=32061 . 2013-08-19 . dead .
  6. News: L & L Broadcasting To Purchase YMF Media In Columbia, SC . 2013-09-16 . 2013-09-16 . All Access . All Access Music Group . Los Angeles, California .
  7. Web site: Alpha Media to Purchase Buckley California Outlets. 10 October 2014.
  8. Web site: RR Broadcasting to sell KDES 98.5 and MIX 100.5. 17 August 2015.
  9. News: Alpha Media/Digity Sale Price & Details. 2015-08-12. RadioInsight. 2018-05-28. en-US.
  10. Web site: Alpha Closes Digity Deal. RadioInk. 2016-02-25. 2018-05-28.
  11. Web site: Dick Broadcasting Acquires Three Markets From Alpha Media. Venta. Lance. RadioInsight. 2017-09-05. 2017-09-06.
  12. Web site: 26 January 2021 . Alpha Media files Chapter 11 . 1 August 2024 . S&P Global . en.
  13. Web site: 25 January 2021 . To Reduce Big Debt Burden, Alpha Media Files For Bankruptcy . 1 August 2024 . Radio + Television Business Report . en.
  14. "Alpha Media makes big Missouri Cuts," Radio Insight, May 7 2024. Accessed 05-23-2024. https://radioinsight.com/headlines/268399/alpha-media-makes-big-missouri-cuts/#:~:text=Alpha%20Media%20has%20made%20significant%20cuts%20in%20at,Mark%20Toti%20and%20KREI%20morning%20host%20Louie%20Seiberlich.
  15. Johnson, Eric, "Company that owns Austin radio stations lays off on-air personalities, part of sweeping move," Austin Daily Herald, May 23, 2024. Accessed 05-23-2024. https://www.austindailyherald.com/2024/05/company-that-owns-austin-radio-stations-lays-off-on-air-personalities-part-of-sweeping-move/
  16. Web site: Alpha Media On-Air. On-Site. On-Demand . 2023-04-26 . Alpha Media On-Air. On-Site. On-Demand . en-US.
  17. News: Tuesday, July 16, 2013 . 2013-07-16 . 2013-08-20 . Radio Info . Radio Info, Inc. . Longmeadow, Massachusetts . 2013-08-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130821124928/http://www.radioinfo.com/2013/07/16/tuesday-july-16-2013/ . dead .
  18. Web site: Consummation Notice . Donna L. . Heffner . Federal Communications Commission . 2014-07-01 . 2014-07-02 . Lead station file number BALH-20140423ACB.
  19. Web site: Consummation Notice . Donna L. . Heffner . Federal Communications Commission . 2014-07-01 . 2014-07-02 . Lead station file number BALH-20140418AAB.
  20. "Deal To Transfer WYSO/Dayton From Antioch College To Independent Ownership Filed With FCC", All Access Music Group. April 9, 2019. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
  21. Web site: Fargo Radio: Jim Ingstad Shuffles His Portfolio. 2 May 2013.
  22. Web site: Hubbard Finalizes Deal To Acquire Alpha Media West Palm Beach. 15 November 2018.
  23. News: L&L Acquires WSSJ Savannah . August 2, 2013 . Lance . Venta . RadioInsight . 2013-12-31 .

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