Lincoln, NE, ranks as metro No. 157 by Nielsen with a population of 289,300, where current radio ownership rules cap an owner at six stations. However, Connoisseur Media is making a pitch to the Federal Communications Commission for why it should be allowed to own a third more. The company has filed a $5.75 million deal to buy NRG Media’s four Lincoln stations and pair them with five stations they already own in the market. Before the proposed nine-station cluster becomes a reality, Connoisseur needs the FCC to grant a waiver to the ownership cap.
“Connoisseur Media’s acquisition of the NRG Stations warrants a departure from the Local Radio Rule,” the waiver request read. Connoisseur says that a grant of the waiver will allow the economies of scale made possible by common ownership, redounding in benefits to the public in continuation of quality programming on the stations.
Connoisseur announced this week it had reached a deal to buy hot AC “B-107.3” KBBK, country “Froggy 98.1” KFGE-FM, classic rock “105.3 The Bone” KLNC, and “News Talk 1400” KLIN…