Twin Tiers Radio Consolidation Continues With Tower Deal

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Over the last five years, the Elmira-Corning, N.Y., market has seen significant consolidation. While the Twin Tiers region’s population swells in the summertime, it also attracts year-round residents for its viticultural and manufacturing jobs.


This has been an attraction point for 7 Mountains Media, the radio station owner led by CEO Kristin Cantrell and COO Jim Loftus. With the company’s entry into Elmira-Corning, it gained control of six local audio brands through multiple transactions. As such, Nielsen Audio ratings for market No. 225 haven’t been seen in more than a year.

What has the consolidation, which some advocate is a blueprint for radio to compete against digital media in every small market, meant for the remaining commercially licensed FM station owner in the market? It has opted to trade a full-power FM in exchange of an FM translator in an adjacent market, where it may have a better revenue opportunity.

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