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TheBuzz Erika Engle |
Big Island broadcast
changeover is days awayA multistation radio purchase that was to have been completed in June was granted final approval by the Federal Communications Commission on Sept. 17. The approval was announced yesterday.
Pacific Radio Group Inc. has now assumed operation of KHLO-AM 850, KKBG-GM 97.9, KLEO-FM 106.1 and KKOA-FM 107.7 from Connecticut-based Maverick Media LLC. Maverick President Gary Rozynek could not be reached.
Pacific Radio is paying $2.2 million, plus a percentage of receivables that are 120 or fewer days old. Of the price, $1 million is being paid to former General Manager Phil Brewer, who has returned to his home in Arizona.
Brewer owned the stations for years before selling them to Maverick predecessor Emerald City Radio Partners.
Pacific Radio President and Chief Operating Officer Chuck Bergson told TheBuzz in April that he would expand the staff.
"We're still working on the staffing," hiring on-air and off-air personnel, he said. New General Manager Jeanine Atebara was hired earlier this summer and is now overseeing the former Maverick stations.
On Monday, Pacific Radio will assume operations of most of the eight Big Island Radio stations that it purchased in August.
In fact, about 75 percent of the radio stations on the island will be changing hands, according to Chris Leonard, vice president of New West Broadcasting Corp.
Pacific Radio bought the four Maverick stations in April and the eight Big Island Radio stations in August, but is required by federal ownership rules to sell three stations in Hilo. It is close to a deal for the sale of a third, unidentified station.
New West owns and operates KPUA-AM 670, KWXX-FM 94.7, KNWB-FM 97.1 and BuyHawaiianMusic.com. It will assume operation of KAOY-FM 101.5 next week, pending completion of its purchase.
"I'll have (Hilo's) Double-X on the air in Kona in the first week of October," Leonard said.
Late last week, the general manager and general sales manager of Big Island Radio agreed to relieve Pacific Radio of another of the required three spinoffs. Nelson Ray Parker and Frank Hooton will assume control of KHWI-FM 92.7 next week.
As of Monday, Pacific Radio Group will operate 15 stations in Hawaii, nine on the Big Island and six on Maui, more than any other radio operator in the state.
Pacific Radio had not yet planned a party to celebrate the long-delayed FCC approval.
"We're going to party at some point, just not yet," said President Chuck Bergson from Hilo.
As it happens, New West is hosting an Aloha Festivals hoolaulea Saturday with three stages and 17 local bands, said Leonard, a competitor.
"We may attend that," said Bergson, whose smile was audible.
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Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin. Call 529-4302, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210, Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached at: eengle@starbulletin.com
