Raleigh Radio: Curtis Media Adds And Subtracts

Curtis Media Group has announced its intention to acquire Classic Hits WKIX 102.9 FM from McClatchey Broadcasting headed by Billy McClatchey, who exits the broadcasting business to focus on his work with Chaucer Creek Capital.

Simultaneous to acquiring WKIX, Curtis is selling WFNL 102.3 FM to Triangle Marketing Associates. This sale was required to comply with FCC single market ownership limits. Triangle Marketing Associates is owned by Rick Heilmann. The station will go silent while Heilmann relocates to new offices and studios, and will likely return to the air within thirty days with a yet to be determined format.

WKIX 102.9 FM (1.7Kw) 60dBu Coverage

This marks a return of 102.9 to Curtis Media Group. This station was acquired by McClatchey in a three way transaction in 2010 between Curtis, McClatchey, and Capitol Broadcasting. In that transaction Curtis traded its interest in 102.9 for the North Carolina News Network and WPTK 850 AM.

Capitol acquired WDNC 620 AM and WCLY 1550 AM and the legendary programming operation of 850 AM “The Buzz.” The WKIX 102.9 format is Classic Hits, and it is expected that the station will retain that format. Curtis Media Group is headed by its founder Donald W. Curtis, and its chief operating officer Trip Savery.

Curtis Media Group Executive Vice President, Trip Savery remarked, “We could not be more thrilled to welcome WKIX 102.9 back to Curtis Media Group.”