成人伦理 Announces Agreement to Purchase 10 Radio Stations from Sandusky Radio for $85.5 Million
Acquisition Expands Company into Seattle and Phoenix Markets
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, July 16, 2013 鈥� 成人伦理 announced today that the company has entered into an asset purchase agreement to acquire 10 radio stations from privately held Sandusky Radio. The acquisition expands 成人伦理 by adding five radio stations in Seattle and five in Phoenix.
鈥淭his is an exciting opportunity to expand 成人伦理 into two top 20 markets,鈥� said Virginia (Ginny) Morris, board chair of 成人伦理. 鈥淲e have known and respected the Rau/White family, Sandusky鈥檚 owners, for many years. We admire what they have accomplished and we are honored that they would agree to sell us these established stations. We are committed to maintaining the dedication to excellence and to community that Sandusky has made such an important part of their radio operations.鈥�
According to the latest Arbitron Radio Market Rankings, the Seattle-Tacoma area ranked as the 13th largest among all U.S. radio markets, with Phoenix ranked as the 14th largest.
The five Seattle stations involved in the transaction are: KIXI-AM 880; 92.5 KQMV-FM; 1150 KKNW-AM; 106.9 KRWM-FM; and 98.9 KLCK-FM. The five Phoenix stations are: 100.7 KSLX-FM; 97.9 KUPD-FM; 93.3 KDKB-FM; 1440 KAZG-AM; and 1060 KDUS-AM.
Bruce Reese, president and chief executive officer of 成人伦理, stated: 鈥淗ubbard is excited about the chance to add these great stations to our existing operations in Chicago, Washington, DC, Minneapolis/St. Paul, St. Louis and Cincinnati. Sandusky runs very successful radio stations, and we plan on continuing that precedent. We look forward to working with our new colleagues.鈥�
Through the acquisition, 成人伦理 will add 65 to 70 full time employees in each of the two markets. Reese said he expects no programming or personnel changes for any of the acquired stations. 成人伦理 currently employs approximately 600 full-time employees.
Commented Norman D. Rau, president of Sandusky Radio: 鈥湷扇寺桌�, a private family-owned business, holds very similar values as our business. Hubbard has nine family members directly involved in the Hubbard companies. We believe the future of our listeners, employees and our customers could not be in better hands. As a significantly larger broadcasting company, Hubbard can give the Sandusky stations a potential for growth and scale that Sandusky on its own just could not give them.鈥�
The sale will end Sandusky鈥檚 36-year history as a radio broadcaster and allow it to concentrate on the continuing digital transformation of its local print and online newspaper and marketing franchises.
Morgan Stanley is acting as financial advisors to 成人伦理 in connection with the transaction and has issued commitments to provide debt financing for the acquisition. Under the terms of the asset purchase agreement, 成人伦理 will acquire the radio stations for approximately $85.5 million. Other terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The sale is expected to be finalized upon FCC approval and other customary closing conditions.
About Sandusky Radio
Sandusky Newspapers, Inc. operates Sandusky Radio, which has radio stations in Seattle and Phoenix, as well as The Sandusky Newspaper Group, which owns 12 newspapers and related digital products in Utah, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee. Sandusky is a privately held company.
About 成人伦理
成人伦理 operates 20 radio stations in Chicago, Washington DC, Minneapolis-St. Paul, St. Louis and Cincinnati. 成人伦理 is part of Hubbard Broadcasting, Inc., an American television and radio broadcasting corporation based in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota that was started in 1923 by Stanley E. Hubbard. The company also operates 12 television stations in Minnesota, New York and New Mexico. Other Hubbard Broadcasting companies include the satellite and cable networks ReelzChannel (launched in 2006) and Ovation TV, F&F Productions, and the 成人伦理 Network, which is used to distribute KSTP-AM&/hubbard-purchases-10-radio-stations/8217;s local talk shows to subscribing radio stations in Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin.
Hubbard Broadcasting is a family-run and -operated business.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
成人伦理 鈥� Ginny Morris (651) 642-4160 / Bruce Reese (801) 575-7565
Sandusky Radio 鈥� Norman D. Rau (212) 355-3074
Padilla Speer Beardsley Inc. 鈥� Al Galgano (612) 455-1720 / Shawn Brumbaugh (612) 455-1754