Sacred Heart U. benefits from Cox Connecticut downsizing

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Cox Media Group has decided to go FM-only in Connecticut in general and in the Stamford-Norwalk market in particular, and the beneficiary will be Sacred Heart University of Fairfield CT, which is buying two Cox AMs to partner with its noncommercial WSHU-FM.


Other than the fact that SHU will begin operating the stations in an LMA 11/7/11, terms of the deal were not revealed. SHU does plan on bolstering its news department with new hires to take advantage of the additional territory it will be able to reach via the two AMs.

They are WSTC-AM 1400 Stamford CT and WNLK-AM 1350 Norwalk CT.

Cox will retain three FMs in the state and has a JSA with a fourth. WFOX and WEZN are in Stamford/Norwalk market; and WPLR is in the New Haven, as is JSA partner WYBC.

“Cox Media Group greatly values the substantial service that the employees of WSTC/WNLK have made to these stations and the service they’ve given our valued audience and clients in the Stamford/Norwalk market,” said Kristin Okesson, CMG Connecticut’s Market Manager. “CMG explored many options and chose Sacred Heart University because of their commitment to remain locally owned and operated, to support the Stamford/Norwalk community, and their ability to continue the great local coverage WSTC and WNLK have provided over the years.”

“As a public radio station, we consider ourselves to be a community resource, and we always look for ways to increase the service we provide our community,” said George Lombardi, SHU’s General Manager. “We are thrilled about this new opportunity, as we can now serve Norwalk, Stamford and Greenwich with an expanded, more reliable broadcast signal than we ever had before and by bringing our award-winning local reporting, insightful news and talk, and programs. WSHU has been deeply rooted in Fairfield County for 30 years, and we look forward to expanding our services in lower Fairfield County.”