Connoisseur Media has agreed to sell Country 99.9 WFRE and News/Talk 930 WFMD Frederick MD to Williamsburg VA based Local Daily Media. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Previously known as Davis Media, Frederick will become the company’s third market after it recently walked away from its purchase of JAM Media Solutions seven stations in the Outer Banks of North Carolina and Muscatine IA out of Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation. The company owns Country “93.7 The Dude” WNTB and AAA “98.3 The Penguin” WUIN in Wilmington NC and AAA “92.3 The Tide” WTYD and “107.9 Cannon Country” WBQK in the Williamsburg VA area. The company also operates local news platforms in both markets.
Connoisseur Media CEO Jeff Warshaw stated, “While it’s difficult for us to part with our Frederick stations, we were convinced that Local Daily Media’s management leadership and its focus in the Maryland/Virginia region could move these stations forward in a way we would be proud of. Senior management of Local Daily Media includes longtime Connoisseur partner Mike Dufort, who we have worked with closely and respect. Mike understands local radio and shares our view on the need for radio to be involved with and serve the local community.”
Dufort, President of Local Daily Media followed, “With my nearly 11 years of working with Jeff and the entire Connoisseur team, I deeply understand and appreciate the care and nurturing that went into building these stations and I’m excited for the opportunity to continue along their journey to reaching even greater heights.”
Local Daily Media CFO Adam Crotty said, “We’re incredibly fortunate to welcome these legendary stations, along with their talented and dedicated teams, to our growing organization. Their rich history of supporting and improving the vibrant Frederick community will undoubtedly inspire our entire team to find new ways to positively impact each community we serve.”
Connoisseur Media retains its eleven stations in Fairfield County and New Haven CT and Long Island NY. It had acquired the two stations in Frederick in 2019 from iHeartMedia’s Aloha Stations Trust in exchange for its cluster in Erie PA.
This story first appeared on radioinsight.com