Chicago Radio: Cumulus, Merlin Agree On New WKQX Deal

Cumulus Media Inc. has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with Merlin Media  to acquire the Chicago-area alternative rock station, WKQX-FM, as well as the WLUP-FM call signal and all related intellectual property.

It's a deal reported to be worth $18M.

The long-running alternative rock station WKQX-FM 101.1 has served the greater Chicago metropolitan area since 1977, offering, over the years, a range of modern, alternative, hard and classic rock from the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.

“After operating the station for the past four years, we are delighted to be able to bring this beloved station under Cumulus’s ownership on economic terms that make sense for our business,” said Mary G. Berner, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cumulus Media Inc.

“We look forward to continuing to deliver the best alternative rock programming to our devoted listeners in the Chicago area for years to come.”

“I am truly pleased that we have reached an agreement to bring WKQX into the Cumulus family and fully focus on driving growth in the Chicago market,” said Marv Nyren, Vice President and Market Manager of Cumulus Chicago. “We have lots of great programming planned for WKQX and our other stations in the Chicago market, and we look forward to growing these legendary stations and providing great content to our listeners and effective marketing strategies for our advertisers in and around Chicago.”

WKQX 101.1 FM (5.7 Kw) Red=Local Coverage Area

Cumulus will continue to program WKQX under a Local Marketing Agreement until the closing, which is subject to customary conditions such as regulatory and court approval, occurs.