Connoisseur is one to watch

Connoisseur Media has purchased a group of radio stations San Francisco. The company acquires Bonneville’s Bay area cluster which includes KBLX AC 102.9, KMVQ 99.7 Top 40, KOIT AC 96.5. Connoisseur owns AC pair KUIC and KKIQ in the East Bay. Connoisseur also holds Hot AC KEZR & Country KBAY/San Jose and is acquiring KUFX 98.5 (K-Fox) Classic Rock which is in San Jose.

Connoisseur Media LLC specializes in radio broadcasting, digital marketing, and multimedia advertising solutions. Headquartered in Westport, Connecticut. It operates over 200 radio stations and digital assets across 24 states, with a strong emphasis on markets surrounding New York City, such as Long Island and Fairfield County.

Founded in 2004 by Jeff Warshaw (CEO) and Mike Driscoll (CFO), Connoisseur Media was established after Warshaw sold his previous venture, Connoisseur Communications Partners LP, to Cumulus Broadcasting for $258 million in 2000. Warshaw, a Wharton School graduate, built his first radio station as a student and has a long history in the industry. The company’s initial acquisition involved stations in Bloomington, Illinois, funded by hedge fund Farallon Capital. Since then, Connoisseur has grown through a mix of startups, signal expansions, and strategic buys, evolving from a regional player to a national force in local media.

Connoisseur owns and operates radio stations delivering music, news, and entertainment, alongside digital platforms like Connrex Digital for online marketing, SEO, and social media campaigns. Notable clusters include Connecticut: Stations like WEBE 108, 99.1 WPLR, STAR 99.9, 94.3 WYBC, and WICC 600 AM/95.9 FM. Long Island, NY: WALK 97.5, K-98.3 FM, The New 103.1 MAX FM, 94.3 The Shark, and WHLI 1100/1370 AM.

Alpha Media Acquisition: Announced in May 2025 and completed on September 4, 2025, this deal added 200 stations in 44 markets, boosting Connoisseur to 218 stations nationwide. It included assuming Alpha’s debt and liabilities, with FCC approval secured in August.