E Radio Network will not close on its purchase of twenty stations from the Chapter 11 bankruptcy trustee for Monte Spearman’s High Plains Radio Network with the majority of the stations filing to go silent.
As part of the bankruptcy proceeding triggered by tower lease dispute with Vertical Bridge, E Radio Network had agreed earlier this year to purchase and began operating “Fox Sports 99.7” KWPS-FM Caddo Valley/Hot Springs AR, “Fox Sports 97.1” KJMT Calico Rock AR, Christian AC “94.3 Christian-FM” KCMC-FM Viola AR, Country “Hot Country 92.7” KRZP Gassville AR, Country “Hot Country 100.9” KDEL-FM Arkadelphia AR, Country “Hot Country 106.9” KYXK Gurdon AR, Classic Hits “EZ Rock” on 690 KAFN Benton, 1240 KVRC Arkadelphia, and 1310 KZUP Malvern/99.3 K257HA Sheridan AR, and 1590 KDAV Lubbock TX for $1 million. In a second deal, E Radio Network agreed to acquire 96.5 KKNM Bovina, 100.5 KNNK Dimmitt, 94.7 KGRW Friona, 1490 KZZN Littlefield, 1090 KVOP, 1400 KREW, 103.9 KRIA, and 106.9 KKYN-FM Plainview, 1490 KVWC and 103.1 KVWC-FM Vernon TX for $700,000.
Previous sales of many of the Arkansas stations included in this deal in 2020 and 2023 to Jay Brentlinger’s Broadcast Industry Group also failed to close.
With the collapse of the sale, silent STA’s have been filed with the FCC for KAFN, KCMC-FM, KDAV, KDEL-FM, KJOK, KKNM, KLVQ, KREW, KRZP, KVRC, KVWC, KWPS-FM, KYXK, KZYP, and KZZN. Brentlinger, as technical consultant, told the FCC, “Due to the failure of the Court Approved and FCC Approved Buyer to close on the purchase of the stations, and as the Buyer was the Local Marketing Partner the stations. HPRN (DIP) Stations must go silent until a new buyer, which is currently in process can be approved by the US Bankruptcy Court, and the FCC.”
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