Fisher Communications sold 18 of its small market radio stations to Cherry Creek Radio in 2006, but Joe Schwartz’s company couldn’t buy the six stations in Great Falls, MT because that would have put it over the FCC’s local ownership limit. Now, five years later, the Great Falls cluster finally has a buyer.
STARadio Corp., headed by Howard Doss, is the buyer, with the price yet to be revealed when the contract is filed with the FCC. An LMA will begin July 1, with closing expected in September.
“We are pleased to be returning to Great Falls after owning stations from 1988 through 2001 in the market and look forward to working with the business community,” said Doss, who launched STARadio in 1985. The Illinois-based group owns stations in several smaller markets.
“The acquisition of these stations by STARadio will complete the disposition of Fisher’s small market radio group, which started in 2006,” said Fisher CEO Colleen Brown. “We are thrilled that STARadio will acquire these properties and feel that STARadio is a great fit for our Fisher team members in that market.”
Primarily a TV group owner, the sale of its Great Falls stations leaves Fisher with radio only in Seattle, where it owns three stations.
