Sinclair Broadcast Group is selling its four radio stations in Seattle to Lotus Communications for $18 million. Lotus is acquiring News 1000 KOMO/97.7 KOMO-FM, Hot AC “Star 101.5” KPLZ and Conservative Talk 570 KVI Seattle.
Lotus currently owns 44 stations in nine west coast markets: Bakersfield, Boise, Fresno, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Onxard/Ventura, Reno, Sacramento and Tucson.
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June 3, 2021 at QZVX
Jason Remington says:
I see this as a positive thing for the employees at KOMO/KPLZ/KVI. It should be a morale booster. The stations will relocate to new digs, most likely. Though KOMO separates from the TV station, under new ownership, I doubt the legacy call letters would change. Lotus owns KTKT Tucson and kept those call letters (KTKT was a Top 40 rocker in the 50s/60s) even though it is now a Spanish-language format. I doubt there would be any format changes at the Seattle stations.
June 3, 2021 at QZVX
Jason Remington says:
Spanish Ranchero format on KPLZ? If that would be more of a money-maker for Lotus, could it happen? Rumors are flying already.
June 3, 2021 at QZVX
Jason Remington says:
ABOUT LOTUS— Founded in 1962 by Howard A. Kalmenson, with the purchase of KWKW, one of Los Angeles’ original Spanish language radio stations, Lotus is one of the largest privately owned Radio Station Groups in the United States. In 2012, Howard was awarded the Medallas de Cortez Lifetime Achievement Award from Radio Ink honoring his long record of dedication and commitment to Spanish-language radio.
Is KPLZ in need of a make-over in the eyes of Howard Kalmenson? $$$$
June 3, 2021 at QZVX
Jason Remington says:
Lotus Communications Corp. is a company headquartered in Los Angeles, California that owns and operates 44 radio stations, a digital agency, low-power television stations and e-commerce websites. The radio stations serve the Los Angeles, Bakersfield, Fresno, Las Vegas, Reno, Sacramento, Tucson and Boise radio markets. The low-power television stations serve the Phoenix and Houston markets. The e-commerce operations are based in Los Angeles.
June 3, 2021 at QZVX
radiofollower says:
I agree, maybe the morale of the people working there “might” get better.Both the radio side & tv side of KOMO has gone in the toilet( or maybe sewer for that fact) since Sinclair took over. I see Lotus owns a lot of Latino format stations so their biggest competition has to be Bustos which owns several stations around here.
June 3, 2021 at QZVX
Jason Remington says:
KOMO branding is NOT part of the deal:
I have been kicking around these thoughts…
Spanish music format on one of the FMs
Call letter changes for KOMO stations
KVI talk switches to FM
Format change for AM 1000
Format change for AM 570
??????
June 3, 2021 at QZVX
David Plowden says:
I competed with Lotus in Reno…….they are very strategic in the way they operate. Control the male demo with 2 class C rock stations
plus alternative adult rock and all sports FM plus translator(s)……AM stations are sports oriented as well…….very similar configuration
in Las Vegas. My guess is that KPLZ will be ‘fixed’ with either Classic Rock or Hard Rock with emphasis on AM drive personality driven
approach. I have noted that KVI appears to be a ‘no show’ in the ratings……….perhaps Latino there or all sports with translators….perhaps KOMO plus translator will not survive the all news position and become all sports leaving KVI to be spun off or
simply used as a ‘rental’ signal for religious broadcasters. My guess the winners in this sale are KIRO/FM and KTTH. Should be
interesting to watch.
June 3, 2021 at QZVX
Jason Remington says:
Agreed. Bonneville is the winner here. This will shake up the market a bit.
June 4, 2021 at QZVX
radiofollower says:
What I would like to see if something going to change regarding formats is one of them go to a 50’s-60’s rock oldies format only.There is no station in this area that plays the music we all grew up with…I know KIXI plays some but it’s not enough as far as I am concerned.However again,with the internet radio stations who even needs to listen to local stations?? Do we really need more talk formats here?….more sports formats?…I say no but a 50’s -60’s rock song format would be nice, at least I think so.
June 4, 2021 at QZVX
Jason Remington says:
You’ll get few disagreements here. A true Oldies station, with a playlist of 6 to 7 thousand tunes would be great. The more tunes, the fewer repeats. I just don’t want to hear Brown-Eyed Girl every day.
June 14, 2021 at QZVX
David Plowden says:
Is Lotus ‘stealing’ the Seattle Sinclair radio properties ? Just read (if accurate) that Lotus will pay only $5 million at closing for 2
full market class C FM signals plus 2 of the best AM signs in the Northwest ? The report indicated that Lotus can opt to offer
a barter deal to Sinclair if they wish for the remaining $13 million plus to pay for the properties. I realize KVI has no ratings but
was Sinclair so desperate to unload in the 13th largest market as to virtually have a fire sale ? Makes me wonder how long before
WGN radio may suffer the same fate from Nextsar in Chicago ?