Report: Arkansas, Mississippi radio stations change ownership in seven-figure deal

A seven-figure deal is imminent that will shuffle ownership of several radio stations throughout Arkansas.

According to a report at radioinsight.com, Jay Brentlinger’s Broadcast Industry Group LLC is acquiring thirteen stations and two translators in Arkansas and Mississippi from Monte Spearman’s High Plains Radio Network.

The stations include:

• 1240 KVRC and 100.9 KDEL-FM Arkadelphia
• 690 KAFN/99.3 K257GP Benton
• 7 KWPS-FM Caddo Valley/Hot Springs
• 1 KJMT Calico Rock
• KRZP Gassville
• 9 KYXK Gurdon
• 1310 KZYP Malvern/104.1 K281CK Sheridan
• 3 KCMC-FM Viola
• 1260 WGVM/100.7 WDMS Greenville, Miss.

The acquisition price is reportedly $3 million for those stations. Broadcast Industry Group will also pay Spearman Land and Development $500,000 for 1360 KFFA /103.1 KFFA-FM in Helena.

All stations with no specified formats will carry Broadcast Industry Group’s Classic Rock “Arkansas Rocks” network.

Brentlinger was the original engineer at KMJX-FM “Magic 105” and started operating his Arkansas properties, except for Helena and Greenville, under a lease agreement four years ago. He hired Tom Wood and several former Little Rock DJs and started the “Arkansas Rocks” network. He lives in Phoenix now and owns stations there.

Spearman is a Colorado-based broadcaster. He has been acquiring small market radio stations in the south (mostly in Texas) for several years.