Cox Radio buying
3 isle stations
for $17.8 mil

The format for programming
is not expected to change

By Russ Lynch
Star-Bulletin

Three Hawaii radio stations will be sold to Cox Radio Inc. for $17.8 million but will retain their local-style programming and current management and staff, the seller said.

"I don't think our listening audience is going to know" that anything has changed, said Howard Anderson, president, chief executive and principal owner of KHWY Inc., which agreed to sell KINE-FM 105, KCCN-FM 100 and KCCN-AM 1420 to Cox. The group of stations is known for its Hawaiian-language broadcasts, local programming, and Hawaiian music.

Anderson noted that Cox Radio is 69 percent owned by Cox Enterprises Inc., which is majority owned by Hawaii resident Barbara Cox Anthony, and her sister, Anne Cox Chambers.

Anderson said Cox Radio assured him it has no intention of changing the stations' format or management, now headed by Mike Kelly as general manager.

Anderson acquired the stations five years ago and has plowed the income back into the business, he said. One consideration behind the sale is that Cox has money to continue to improve the stations, he said.

The deal, which is expected to close by June 30, is the second major investment in Hawaii radio by Cox.

Last year, Cox paid $16 million for four Honolulu stations that had been owned by New Planet Radio, formerly Ohana Broadcasting.

In yesterday's announcement, Cox said it is selling one of them, KGMZ-FM, for $6 million to Honolulu Broadcasting Inc. That leaves it with KRTR-FM 96, KXME-FM 104.3, and KGMZ-AM 1460.

Adding the other three will give Cox five FM stations and two AMs in the Hawaii market.

Atlanta-based Cox has been buying stations across the country.

By the time the Honolulu deals are closed, the company expects to have 75 stations in 15 markets.