Cox Media Group to Sell WNLK & WSTC to Sacred Heart University

MILFORD - Cox Media Group (CMG) Connecticut announced today it has reached a definitive agreement to sell WSTC-AM 1400 and WNLK-AM 1350 to Fairfield based Sacred Heart University. The transaction is subject to receipt of regulatory approvals and is expected to close during the first quarter of next year.

“Cox Media Group greatly values the substantial service that the employees of WSTC/WNLKhave made to these stations and the service they’ve given our valued audience and clients in the Stamford/Norwalk market,” said Kristin Okesson, CMG Connecticut’s Market Manager. “CMG explored many options and chose Sacred Heart University because of their commitment to remain locally owned and operated, to support the Stamford/Norwalk community, and their ability to continue the great local coverage WSTC and WNLK have provided over the years.” In Fairfield County, Cox Media Group continues to operate 95.9 WFOX and STAR 99.9 WEZN, which both serve the local Stamford/Norwalk market. CMG also operates 99.1 WPLR, and has a joint sales agreement with 94.3 WYBC which are both licensed to New Haven.

“As a public radio station, we consider ourselves to be a community resource, and we always look for ways to increase the service we provide our community,” said George Lombardi, SHU’s General Manager. “We are thrilled about this new opportunity, as we can now serve Norwalk, Stamford and Greenwich with an expanded, more reliable broadcast signal than we ever had before and by bringing our award-winning local reporting, insightful news and talk, and programs. WSHU has been deeply rooted in Fairfield County for 30 years, and we look forward to expanding our services in lower Fairfield County"

Sacred Heart University will begin operating the radio stations on Nov. 7. They plan to hire additional staff to provide comprehensive coverage to the Stamford/Norwalk market. The two stations will share an award-winning local news operation with WSHU-FM at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield. Local content will be bolstered by the addition of new local news reporters and on-air hosts. The WSHU news operation is energetic and respected, having won coveted national Edward R. Murrow Awards in 2010 and 2011 for its investigative reporting. The station has also won numerous state and regional awards from the Associated Press and Society of Professional Journalists. WSTC and WNLK will be supported by local listeners and will not carry commercials.

About Cox Media Group

Cox Media Group, Inc., a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Cox Enterprises, is an integrated broadcasting, publishing and digital media company that includes the national advertising rep firms of Cox Reps. With $1.8 billion in revenues, the company operations include 15 broadcast television stations and one local cable channel, 85 radio stations, four metro newspapers and more than a dozen non-daily publications, and more than 100 digital services. Additionally, CMG owns and operates Valpak, one of the leading direct marketing companies in North America. For more information about Cox Media Group, please check us out online at www.coxmediagroup.com.