When we reported Scott Hennen’s re-acquisition of a Fargo ND AM station, we mentioned he has another deal in the works – and now the other deal is also at the FCC for processing.
The prior deal was for WZFG-AM. Hennen was part of its ownership group, and was also an executive and a conservative talker on the station before losing both gigs. He bought it for $960K from SMAHH Communications Inc./Great Plains Integrated Marketing Inc. under licensee name Bakken Beacon Media Inc. along with partner Gary Emineth.
In filing to acquire WZFG, Bakken noted its LMA of KTGO-AM Tioga ND with David Guttormson’s Gunn Enterprises. It was noted that negotiations were under way to turn that relationship from a rental situation to another Bakken Beacon O&O. The paperwork is in, and the station is indeed on the way to Hennen’s company.
As it turns out, Gunn isn’t so much selling a station as it is cementing an ongoing business relationship. There is no specific price attached to the station – Gunn will consider BBM’s contributions of assets and financial support to be “sufficient” compensation for the station. Meanwhile, BBM will rent transmitter and studio sites from Gunn. Oh, and Guttormson gets a 1/3 share of the BBM.
The LMA began 10/23/11.
KTGO is a Class D on 1090 kHz with 1 kW-D, ND. It is in unrated territory and has no primary contour overlap with WFZG.
