Connoisseur Media has closed on its acquisition of Alpha Media.
The deal now gives Connoisseur 216 stations across 47 markets making it one of the top ten groups in the country by station count and revenue. Connoisseur has also revealed a new company logo to define its new era as company states it has reach of 20% of the US radio audience adding markets such as San Antonio, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Jose, Palm Springs, and Louisville to its existing holdings in Connecticut and Long Island.
Connoisseur CEO Jeff Warshaw stated, “Local broadcasting has always been at the heart of what we do. Connoisseur started as a company rooted in radio serving local markets. Today we’re taking that same local-focused philosophy, which now includes our digital marketing and multi-platform expertise to some of the most dynamic markets in the country. This acquisition is about assembling the scale and resources to keep radio strong, serve our communities, empower our employees, and create even more value for advertisers.”
With the closing of the deal, many of Alpha’s corporate leadership have exited. Among those departing are EVP/Content Phil Becker. Becker joined what was then L&L Broadcasting Portland in 2014 as VP/Programming and rose to Executive Vice President of Content for the company in 2019. Prior to joining the company, Becker programmed WBCD Dothan, CKEY Niagara Falls/Buffalo, WPYO Orlando, and was co-owner/OM of Oasis Radio Group in Fort Wayne IN.
This story first appeared on radioinsight.com