Hartford Radio: Buckley Exits With Sale of WDRC AM/FM

One of Connecticut's oldest and most well-known “oldies” radio stations has a new owner.

According to the Harford Courant, the family-owned Buckley Broadcasting has sold its 57-year-old Bloomfield-based WDRC 1360 AM (102.9 HD3) and 102.9 FM stations to Westport-based Connoisseur Media.

Staff was notified of the sale Wednesday morning by Buckley president and CEO Joe Bilotta.

Joe Bilotta

“For over a half of a century Buckley Broadcasting has been the steward of one of the most recognized and respected call letters in broadcasting,” Bilotta wrote in an email to staff before meeting with them in Bloomfield Wednesday.

“After much reflection and discussion, the Board of Trustees has decided that the reality of the evolving competitive landscape, and our sincere desire to see this historic brand continue, are cause for a change in the ownership of our Connecticut properties.” he continued. “With this acquisition, Connoisseur will be the leading radio broadcaster in the State of Connecticut and they are very excited to have the Buckley stations as part of their growing company.”

Connoisseur, founded in 2004 by president/CEO Jeff Warshaw and Mike Driscoll, owns 36 radio stations across the country including WPLR, WYBC, the Fox and Star in Milford, Connecticut. Warshaw could not be reached for comment.

Rumors of the sale of Buckley’s Connecticut stations began surfacing shortly after it sold its stellar New York station, WOR Radio, to Clear Channel Media and Entertainment in August, 2012. Buckley also owns several radio stations in California.

Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Closing of the transaction is subject to FCC consent and other customary closing conditions, Bilotta said.

WDRC 102.7FM (19.5Kw) 54dBu Coverage