Radio One to Acquire Two Heritage DFW Signals

The radio landscape is undergoing a big shuffle in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, as a longtime local owner exits the broadcast scene. On Friday, Urban One, the parent company of Radio One, announced it has agreed to acquire 104.5 KKDA(FM) and 105.7 KRNB(FM) from Hymen Childs’ Service Broadcasting Group. KKDA runs a hip-hop format as “K104,” while KRNB runs an adult R&B format as “Smooth R&B 105.7.” At the same time, Radio One is also spinning off its R&B 94.5 KZMJ(FM) signal to the Encouragement Media Group. EMG then announced that it will launch its Spanish Christian brand, Fuzión, on the KZMJ signal. Both transactions are pending Federal Communications Commission approval. Terms were not disclosed. The deals will give Radio One a total of three longtime signals in the DFW market that serve its target Black audience. It also owns the direct rival to KKDA, hip-hop 97.9 KBFB(FM). KKDA has run an urban format since 1976, while KRNB, on the air since 1996, has largely competed with KZMJ for the R&B audience. Both KKDA and KRNB were owned by Childs’ group, noted as one of the few local owners in a market the size of DFW. Childs, 88, bought 730 KKDA(AM) and 104.5 FM, then KEZT(FM), in 1976. According to several accounts, he is known for staying out of the spotlight. Childs resisted prior offers to sell his stations leading up until the sale of KKDA(AM) in 2013 to Scott Kim and Kimberly Roberts. Urban One cited the expansion of its reach in Dallas as a way to elevate urban voices across two of DFW’s most prominent frequencies. Radio One operates 74 stations across 13 U.S. markets, according to a release. Fuzión will broadcast on 18 radio signals across the southwest with the addition of KZMJ, according to an EMG release, with DFW as its flagship. It can also be heard in Las Vegas, southern California, Albuquerque and east Texas. Radio World welcomes letters to the editor on this or any story. Email radioworld@futurenet.com. The post Radio One to Acquire Two Heritage DFW Signals appeared first on Radio World. [TheTopNews] Read More.