The Rock of Central New York is changing ownership.

Townsquare Media – the owner of this radio station and its website – announced plans to acquire 96.9 WOUR from Galaxy Communications on Thursday, pending FCC approval.

“We are pleased to announce this strategic acquisition which will strengthen our market leading position in Utica, NY,” said Townsquare Co-Chief Executive Officer Bill Wilson via a news release announcing the acquisition.  “Our existing asset portfolio of three FM stations and one AM station currently captures the number one revenue and audience share in the market.  Adding WOUR, the leading classic rock station in Utica, will expand the marketing solutions we offer our local clients while also significantly expanding our local audience and advertiser base.  We are confident that our strong local team, led by Karen Carey, Market President/Chief Revenue Officer of Townsquare Utica, will drive continued success in the market,’’ Wilson said.

Karen Carey added, “We are excited to add the powerful WOUR brand to our portfolio of top performing local stations, local digital platforms and local live events. WOUR is a heritage station in Utica with a valuable loyal audience and great advertiser relationships.  We feel that WOUR is the perfect complement to our existing brands (Big Frog 104, Lite 98.7, 96.1 The Eagle and WIBX) and will allow us to offer more robust marketing solutions to our clients.”

The current WOUR programming lineup will remain in tact, Carey said.

Staff at Townsquare Utica stations and staff from WOUR were notified of the Joint Sales Agreement Thursday afternoon.

Pending approval, the acquisition would grow Townsquare Media to 318 stations in 67 small and mid-sized markets nationwide. Townsquare – the third largest owner of radio stations in the US – said it plans to close on the deal late in the second quarter of 2018.

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