Worcester Broadcaster Acquires Two Connecticut Stations
Gois Broadcasting, the family-owned Spanish-language broadcasting company that owns WORC 1310 AM in Worcester, has announced a deal to buy two Connecticut stations from Freedom Commun-ications of Hartford for a total of $2.65 million.
"We're always looking to grow, and we're always looking at other markets, other opportunities," said WORC station manager Ivon Gois.
Troubled Past
A court placed the stations, WLAT 910 AM and WNEZ 1230 AM, in receivership more than a year ago after Freedom CEO Stephen Brisker was accused of financial irregularities. The receiver, Gregory Guy of Maryland-based media broker Patrick Communications, said the stations have always been profitable. Over the past year, he said, his company stabilized their finances and paid creditors to get them ready for sale.
Guy said he is still looking at options for a third Freedom station, WKND 1480, an urban-format, daytime-only station with a 500-watt signal.
Both of the new Gois stations target the Hartford market, and both already broadcast Spanish-language programming, with WLAT playing music and WNEZ focused mostly on news. Gois said the audience in the Hartford area is heavily Puerto Rican and Dominican, with somewhat fewer Central Americans than in Worcester.
"We'll definitely be catering to that market down there, especially with WLAT," he said.
Gois said his company will eventually introduce more local programming on the Hartford stations, but he said there will be no immediate personnel changes.
Gois began operating the stations on Nov. 1, and the sales will be finalized after receiving FCC approval. He said the company is opening a new office in Hartford while maintaining their existing Worcester location.
"Nothing will change in Worcester," he said. "We're still very committed to serving the local community as well."
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