Stations still owned by one person/family?

[ajhenderson]

I know there are still plenty of these, many/most of them un- or lowly-rated singleton AMs in markets large and small. But out of curiosity, what stations of some significance (or small clusters of 2-3 stations) are you aware of in the top 100 or so markets that are still owned by one person? Not a multi-market group or conglomerate run by a family, but an operation that the person and possibly one or two family members actually run on a daily basis.

The reason for this was my looking at an AM/FM cluster in the Reno market licensed to an actual individual as himself, and he basically does all the jobs. Yes, I know this still isn't that uncommon, but I'm looking at rated markets, and probably stations like these that could do better with other people running them.

 

[gr8oldies]

WBZI-Xenia, WEDI-Eaton and WKFI-Wilmington, OH all near Dayton and Cincinnati. Joe Mullins owns the classic country trimulcast. Then there's WPFB AM (Classic Country) and FM "The Rebel" in Middletown, OH, one of the last locally owned holdouts, owned by the Bradens for decades.

 

[davideduardo]

I know there are still plenty of these, many/most of them un- or lowly-rated singleton AMs in markets large and small. But out of curiosity, what stations of some significance (or small clusters of 2-3 stations) are you aware of in the top 100 or so markets that are still owned by one person?

1. Liberman Broadcasting with radio and TV in Dallas, Houston and LA, owned by father and son team of Lenard and Jose Liberman. 3 top-10 markets.

2. Unoradio Group in Puerto Rico, market owned and operated by Jesus Soto and his son Luis. 16 stations in 4 networks covering the whole market.

3. Mt. Wilson Broadcasting, AM and FM in LA, owned and run bt Sol Levine.

 

[radiophiler]

It's not a small cluster, but WBEB-FM, B-101.1, adult contemporary in Philadelphia, PA, is owned by Jerry Lee. It's hit only broadcast station. He used to own an AM, too, but sold it to Salem.
B-101 is continually top 3 12+ and 25-54 and women 25-54.

 

[therealjm12]

WDKX in Rochester, N. Y. is a stand alone station and is owned by a local family.
It has an urban format and does very well.

 

[MarcB]

92.1 WLNG Sag Harbor Long Island.
WATD 95.9 in Marshfield, Masssachusetts.

 

[R.D.P.]

Since 1974, the Alexander Family has owned at least one radio station, in Selma Alabama.

Currently they own three radio stations, in my hometown.  This includes WJAM (Jam), WALX (Alexander) and WMRK (Mark).  All three of their stations have kept the same calls, since they brought them to the airwaves.

WMRK has been through many makeovers, due to the changing trends of AM radio.  They catered to Top 40 from their start in 1978 to 1981.  Switched over to AC and Oldies from 1981 to 1988.  Switched again to Easy Listening from 1988 to 1990.  Went back to AC and Oldies from 1990 to 1991.  Switched again to Country in 1991.  Switched to Urban in late 1992.  Went back to AC and Oldies in 1994.  In the late 90s, they added some talk programs to their lineup.

WJAM has kept its "Touch Urban Format" since signing on in 1993.

WALX has kept its current Jack FM type format, since 1981.  Before then, they were an Easy Listening station.

R.D.P. <><

P.S. We don't have too many mom and pop station, in this day and age.  They're a rare breed, indeed.

 

[radioboy]

WFRF 1070 AM/105.7 FM in Tallahassee, FL is owned by Scott and Brenda Beigle.
It's Christian teaching/talk with some southern gospel and inspirational music.

http://www.faithradio.us

 

[rapking]

Stevie Wonder KJLH LA .