Keweenaw Bay Indian Community wants to buy Q-107 & ESPN 970

[Thunderstorm]

Michigan -- Keweenaw Bay Indian Community has filed a $400,000 deal to buy hot AC “Q-107” WMQT and sports “ESPN 970” WZAM in Ishpeming, MI from Taconite Broadcasting. The deal also includes two Marquette, MI-licensed translators: W227CJ at 93.3 FM and W295CX at 106.9 FM, both of which simulcast WZAM.

[MetalUpYourAss1973]

93.3 actually simulcasts 107.7 WMQT now from a Marquette tower.

[Matt]

If I look out my window right now, I can see the Q107 studio on Front St. They claim to be a top 7 pop station in the country - is it actually for sale? What will Jim Koski do if they are sold?

[TC Talks]

Tom is checking out earlier than Joe Blake. Good for him.

Ed Janisse, General Manager of Radio Operations for the KBIC, said, “This is a great opportunity for our clients and customers on the Rockin’ Eagle and Eagle Country as well as the clients and customers of Q107-WMQT and WZAM. We can offer great support for businesses from the Marquette and surrounding area coverage on WGLI and WCUP and vice versa. Listeners of Q107-WMQT will still have great music, lots of fun and a chance to be a part of the station. Because, after all, Q107-WMQT is “Radio Put Together By You.”

Tom Mogush, President of Taconite Broadcasting said, “Jim Koski and I will be staying on with the KBIC to help in the continued growth of the stations, exploring many new opportunities. We see the synergy of the radio stations in Baraga and Marquette working together to promote local businesses and events to grow our economy in the U.P. The company was started by Joe Blake and Bob Olson 51 years ago, a legacy we’ve been proud to continue. We are thankful to the many people that have worked at the stations over the years and look ahead to many more years of excellence.”

[Matt]

Did this transaction ever close?

[EdWalker]

Did this transaction ever close?

Yes on June 2.

[Matt]

Did this transaction ever close?

Yes on June 2.

Thanks!

[Mega Hertz]

If I look out my window right now, I can see the Q107 studio on Front St. They claim to be a top 7 pop station in the country - is it actually for sale? What will Jim Koski do if they are sold?

Wait. I thought you still lived in the greater Ann Arbor area?

[Matt]

If I look out my window right now, I can see the Q107 studio on Front St. They claim to be a top 7 pop station in the country - is it actually for sale? What will Jim Koski do if they are sold?

Wait. I thought you still lived in the greater Ann Arbor area?

I do live in Ann Arbor, but I was in Marquette for a long weekend when I posted that.

[TC Talks]

If you are spending several hundred thousand dollars a year in advertising on a radio station, and you have the opportunity to purchase it for less than 5 years of your advertising expenditures, why wouldn't you do that?

I don't think they're going to do anything to disrupt what Jim has done at that radio station.what gym has done at that radio station.

[tc]

If I look out my window right now, I can see the Q107 studio on Front St. They claim to be a top 7 pop station in the country - is it actually for sale? What will Jim Koski do if they are sold?

I hear those sweepers/IDs when I'm up there about "being nominated the top blah-blah-blah station by something-magazine" or whatever. Not sure what the criteria are to be nominated, but I don't put a whole lot of weight behind that claim.

Koski replaced me back in '88, good to hear he will still be onboard (along with Mogie) through the transition.

[Matt]

If I look out my window right now, I can see the Q107 studio on Front St. They claim to be a top 7 pop station in the country - is it actually for sale? What will Jim Koski do if they are sold?

I hear those sweepers/IDs when I'm up there about "being nominated the top blah-blah-blah station by something-magazine" or whatever. Not sure what the criteria are to be nominated, but I don't put a whole lot of weight behind that claim.

Koski replaced me back in '88, good to hear he will still be onboard (along with Mogie) through the transition.

34 years is a damn long time to be at one job, especially in radio! Marquette is a great place though.

[tc]

Agree, I get up there a couple times per year, usually hear Jim "figuring something out" (Upper Michigan's favorite "Crazy" song or whatever), and think "holy wha, he's still there!". Then I drive my son around Marquette and show him all the houses I was evicted from when I was going to NMU or living up there.