Station trading in the early going of 2015 is, in a word, lackluster. In fact, Larry Wilson’s Alpha Media spent more in one deal filed with the FCC during the week of January 19-23 than was spent in all deals filed from January 2-16.
Trading on the television side is all but non-existent.
The filing of another pair of deals with some value attached last week is all that is holding the Alpha San Francisco at less than 50% of all money committed to station trading during the month.
Wilson’s acquisition of three East Bay FM stations was valued at $11,150,000.
Total trading prior to last week came home at $10,089,709.
A Birmingham AL area FM and the Radio Disney outlet in Cleveland were the other significant radio deals of the month.
The top television deal of the year so far was also filed, but that ain’t saying much. It’s DTV America Corporation’s acquisition of a Nashville LPTV for $395,000. It still accounts for more than half of all TV trading to date, which is just over $700,000. All the action has been on the LPTV side – no full power facilities have moved as of yet.
In all, ten radio stations were sold during the week for a total of $14,006,100. Add in four LPTVs at $497,000 and the total is $14,503,100.
Thanks to Alpha, it’s the biggest trading week of the young year.
Here are top deals filed with the FCC during the week.
$11,150,000 KKIQ-FM, KKDV-FM & KUIC-FM, triplets east of San Francisco, from Coast Radio Company to Alpha Media. Larry Wilson’s group continues to expand into new territory. Broker: Media Venture Partners (seller)
$1,900,000 WHPH-FM Birmingham (Jemison AL) from Great South Wireless to Peach Holdings Inc. Will be a standalone but comes with an FM translator.
$895,000 WWMK-AM Cleveland from Radio Disney Group to St. Peter the Rock Media. Fifth station of the group to be sold. Brokers: William B. Schutz (seller) and Patrick Communications (buyer)
$395,000 WKUW-LD Nashville (White House TN) from Budd Broadcasting Company to DTV America Corporation. DTV also bought WKUT-LD Bowling Green from Budd, on a separate application and contract, for $55,000.
