A deal between two established operators in Santa Rosa CA will see Amaturo Sonoma Media acquire AC 100.1 KZST Santa Rosa and Classic Hits “102.7 The Wolf” KWVF Guerneville from Redwood Empire Stereocasters for an undisclosed amount.
The Lawrence Amaturo and Michael O’Shea led company will add the two stations to a cluster that includes Country “Froggy 92.9” KFGY, Classic Rock “97.7 The River” KVRV, CHR “Hot 101.7” KHTH, Classic Hits “107.9 K-Hits” K300AO, and News/Talk 1350 KSRO/96.9 K245DJ/103.5 K278CD. An LMA will take effect before closing. Amaturo Sonoma Media sold 104.9 KDHT to Northern California Public Media last year.
The deal will leave Gordon Zlot’s company with Country “93.7 The Bull” KBBL and Standards “Jazzy 99.1” K256DA. The company also owns 106.3 KJZY, which was leased to Educational Media Foundation in March.
Amaturo Sonoma Media Group (“ASMG”) and Redwood Empire Stereocasters (“RES”) announced today that ASMG will acquire two RES stations, KZST-FM and KWVF-FM, and other assets, in a sale expected to close in 3rd Quarter of this year. A Local Market Agreement (LMA), effective June 2, 2022, will permit ASMG to begin the operational obligations prior to FCC approval and closing.
Redwood Empire Stereocasters will continue to own and operate their stations KJZY, 106.3 FM and KBBL, 93.7 FM.
Lawrence Amaturo, co-founder and member manager of ASMG, LLC, commented: “With incredible care, Gordon Zlot created and developed KZST over 50 years ago and made it THE most listened-to station in Sonoma County. It remains just that even today. I am beyond thrilled that we can be the next torch-bearer for this great community gift.”
Gordon Zlot, founder and 50-year patriarch of KZST and the RES stations, said: “This was an agonizing decision, with over a half century of creating and maintaining KZST with rating superiority in Sonoma County, but in my decision to step-back in pace and work-life, I could not have found a better next-level operator-team than Lawrence Amaturo and Michael O’Shea. I will still be associated with all the stations, offering engineering and programming consultation, and pulling for them to the next level of success.”
Michael O’Shea, President of ASMG added: “I’m truly in awe of these great stations and the position they occupy in the hearts and ears of Sonoma County, and the brilliant leadership Gordon and his team have brought them, making radio so vital in the Northbay. I’m humbled at the thought of operating this combined great enterprise.”
This story first appeared on radioinsight.com