Stephen King to Shut Down His Maine Radio Stations After Years of Financial Losses
Stephen King's three Maine radio stations - WKIT 100.3 FM, WZLO 620 AM, and WZON 103.1 FM - will cease broadcasting on December 31, 2025, after decades of operation under his ownership.
Stephen King close-up portrait
The horror author and his wife Tabitha King maintained these independent stations despite consistent financial losses over the years. King, now 77, originally purchased and rebranded WZON as a reference to his novel 'The Dead Zone,' later acquiring additional stations in 1990.
"While radio across the country has been overtaken by giant corporate broadcasting groups, I've loved being a local independent owner all these years," King stated, expressing pride in the stations' local focus and community service.
Ken Wood, the stations' general manager for the past decade, confirmed that King personally absorbed the financial losses throughout his ownership. He noted the rarity of independent, locally-owned radio stations in Maine, highlighting the significance of these three stations' longevity.
The closure coincides with broader industry challenges, as exemplified by iHeartMedia's recent restructuring and job cuts across the country. King cited his age and the need to "get his business affairs in better order" as factors in the decision to shut down the stations.
Nigerian singer Flavour performing live
Band performing on Jimmy Kimmel.
Related Articles
MusiCares Distributes $2.2M in Wildfire Aid, Donations Surge to $3.2M for LA Music Community
