TV Mogul Buys Imus NM Ranch

The 3,400-acre New Mexico ranch overseen by controversial radio personality Don Imus was purchased Thursday by an ex-farmer who became a cable TV mogul known for bringing programs with rural themes to the heartland.

According to The Santa Fe New Mexican, the buyer is Patrick Gottsch, whose Rural Media Group and Rural Free Delivery Television are based in Omaha, Neb.

Bell Tower Keller-Williams listing agent Craig Huitfeldt and Jay Moore, owner of the Las Vegas-based New Mexico Land and Title Co. that closed the deal, confirmed the sale, but neither would give the price.

The last listed price for the property was $19 million. The sale price “wasn’t far off” that figure, Huitfeld said. Hesaid the original plan was to auction the ranch, 50 miles southwest of Santa Fe near Ribera. A $5 million minimum bid would have been required.

The ranch is a 10-bedroom grand hacienda with a Western town that “rivals any Hollywood movie set,” he said.

Imus and Gottsch did business together in the 2000s, when Gottsch simulcast Imus’ show.  The ranch also has a broadcast studio.

Huitfeldt said he did not know what plans Gottsch has for the ranch. Imus had used the property, which had nonprofit status, to host children with cancer.

Gottsch sold satellite dishes door to door in the 1980s before founding several cable TV networks, including The Cowboy Channel.  He was raised on a farm in Elkhorn, Neb.

Imus, 77, acquired the ranch in 1998. He retired from broadcasting about two weeks ago.