Greater Media, Nassau Close Boston, Philly Deals

Greater Media

Get out your scorecards, because GREATER MEDIA, NASSAU BROADCASTING PARTNERS and CHARLES RIVER BROADCASTING CO. jointly announced today (11/15) that they have closed the previously announced transactions in which GREATER MEDIA acquired CHARLES RIVER's 102.5 FM frequency, licensed to WALTHAM, MA, and NASSAU's 97.5 FM frequency, licensed to BURLINGTON, NJ, and NASSAU acquired GREATER MEDIA's 99.5 FM frequency in LOWELL, MA. NASSAU also received cash and the Classical format of WCRB/BOSTON in the deal. (See NET NEWS 7/31.) 

As of 6p on FRIDAY (11/17), GREATER MEDIA will sign on Smooth Jazz WJJZ/PHILADELPHIA (NET NEWS 10/13) at 97.5, formerly home of NASSAU's Classic Hits WTHK (THE HAWK). THE HAWK signed off tonight at 7p (ET) with PD/afternooner JIM SPECTOR thanking listeners and saying, “THE HAWK flies free next.” After some spots, SPECTOR played LYNYRD SKYNYRD's “Free Bird,” then turned off the transmitter. The station is dark until 12:01a tomorrow (11/16), when Classic Rock WMGK at 102.9 will simulcast on the 97.5 frequency until WJJZ's sign-on.

In BOSTON, beginning at noon on DECEMBER 1, Country WKLB will begin broadcasting on the 102.5 FM frequency and Classical WCRB will begin broadcasting on the 99.5 FM frequency.

"We are thrilled and proud to bring Smooth Jazz back to its fans in PHILADELPHIA," said GREATER MEDIA Pres./CEO PETER SMYTH. "We also look forward to moving Country WKLB to its new home on the dial at 102.5."

NASSAU Chairman/Pres. LOU MERCATANTI said, "We are extremely pleased to have WCRB in BOSTON as part of the NASSAU family of stations. We have been overwhelmed with the positive response from BOSTON listeners about NASSAU preserving WCRB's long-standing classical heritage, and we welcome WCRB as the new flagship of NASSAU's Classical network of stations throughout NEW ENGLAND."

CHARLES RIVER Chairman MARY MARSHALL stated, "CRB's entire board of directors is delighted that WCRB will continue to broadcast classical music to the BOSTON community. We worked hard to achieve this result and wish NASSAU and GREATER MEDIA every success in the future."

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