Stephen King's WKIT Radio Station Saved by Last-Minute Buyer Before Shutdown
Stephen King's radio station WKIT has found a last-minute buyer, Bangor businessman Jeff Solari, just days before its planned shutdown at the end of 2024. The station will continue broadcasting as usual under new ownership.
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The sale comes after King, 77, announced plans to cease operations of his three Maine-based radio stations (WKIT 100.3 FM, WZLO 620 AM, and WZON 103.1 FM) earlier in December. The stations had experienced significant financial losses over the years, which King had personally absorbed.
Solari, along with business partner Greg Hawes, brings considerable media experience to the acquisition. As president of Rock Lobster Media and owner of Sports Chowdah, Maine's free weekly sports newsletter, Solari appears well-positioned to manage the station.
While WKIT, the most popular of King's three stations, has been saved, WZLO and WZON are still scheduled to cease operations. The financial terms of the WKIT sale have not been disclosed.
This development occurs amid broader challenges in the radio industry, with major players like iHeartMedia and Cumulus Media implementing layoffs, and SiriusXM undergoing strategic realignment following disappointing Q3 results.
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